ichigo-kurimu:

I was wrong ~ There were more inside scoops ^^ This time is our creepy but lovable Neko-chan

(Please refer to ouran_tbs for the original Japanese text)

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The director reveals the inside scoop on Nekozawa-sempai, Ryusei Ryo ★

As everyone knows, Nekozawa-sempai’s appearance in the drama was increased by about 50%. Why did this happen? It’s because I like him (Nekozawa’s character)

I thought he would become an important spice to the host club by accentuating the brightness of the host club with his unbelievable darkness. I think Ryusei-kun probably wanted to be a part of the host club, but with his charm he brought a special flavour to the host club. However, Nekozawa wasn’t an easy character to play, and Ryusei was extremely troubled …

The problem was the heat! The reason was because the filming of the drama occurred at the peak of summer ☀ Just wearing the uniform was hot; Yusuke often stripped off his uniform, but Ryusei had to wear a black cloak (over his uniform)!! Belzeneff was always on his right hand, and he had very long hair!! The poor child was always sweating (>_<)

Episode 5 at the sea was torture for him. It was sunny with not one cloud in the sky ☀, the temperature was 35℃ with a humidity of 70%. All the members of the host club all wore swim trunks but Nekozawa had to continue to wear his black cloak + Cat (sun) umbrella. Just looking at him I felt unpleasantly hot (^^;; He was on the verge of collapsing but Ryusei overcame last year’s hot summer.

Looking at how hard Ryusei worked, a great bond was born between him and the host club members. Amongst the male cast Ryusei was the youngest and still in his teens. Therefore he was the youngest child and so was often teased by Tamaki oniichan (big brother Tamaki) or guided by Kyoya oniichan (big brother Kyoya). He was loved by everyone. He gradually became a very important member.

And from the ominous presence (he had) within the host club, he showed his true face by lending a hand when the host club was in crisis. But then he returns back to his ominous presence. Personally I like his speed learning in episode 2 and the two shot with Kanazuki Reiko (^-^)

Actually Neko-chan has bad posture so it’s hard to tell but Ryusei is tall, has great style and is handsome ☆ Such an ikemen (handsome man) has put his life on the line for the movie and does a great job playing the spooky character so please take note! I look forward to when you will be able to drink alcohol Ryusei!

ichigo-kurimu:

FINALLY I have finished the final inside scoop. 

I want to thank maido_ari for her help in editing my weird English ~ (sometimes I wonder how I can be an English teacher XD) 

(Please refer to ouran_tbs for the original Japanese text)

For those who missed the others

Kawaguchi Haruna, Yamamoto Yusuke, Chiba Yudai, Nakamura Masaya, Takagi Twins 

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The director reveals the inside scoop on ★ Ootori Kyoya ★!

Actually the last character to be cast was Kyoya. The thing we were looking for was not just the visual similarities (to Kyoya) but the acting ability and his presence. We wanted someone who would be able to bear the weight of his responsibility in the background after Tamaki started the host club. With those images in mind the casting of Kyoya was harder than the casting of the other characters.

And the last piece that fit perfectly in the puzzle was Daito Shunsuke. With Yusuke they were dynamic and static. The obverse and the reverse. They recognized each other as actors of the same age* but this time they fit together beautifully. A twin engine was born in the front and the back. That power was the driving force for team Ouran. *Those from the same “generation” were often thought as rivals

Amongst the cast, Daito Shunsuke was the one who had the most questions about his character. Daito first read the manga; (from the manga) he tried to fully understand Kyoya. After delving deeply into the (manga) character of Kyoya he came onto set as the real-life Kyoya. I often thought that when acting Daito imagined how Kyoya would be thinking and how Kyoya would act.

Sometimes we had to summarize many stories within a 30 min time slot and therefore we often had to force the involvement of many characters together. But Daito as the real-life Kyoya faced his character head-on so even if there a fast summarization he would say “wouldn’t Kyoya take it this way?”

From the very beginning Daito would comment “If Kyoya acts this way he would go out of character.” Shunsuke was the only one who did this (questioned the director’s directing). Rather than playing (the character of) Kyoya as written in the script, he wanted to present Kyoya as a real-life person. I often agreed with the way Shunsuke thought.

In a certain sense, the host club were often exposed to an environment where they could go off course but Shunsuke would not be affected and continued to protect the character of Kyoya. That was a plus to the set. I think Haruna and Yudai were greatly affected by Shunsuke’s acting. Shunsuke also knew how to present himself for the people around him.

The things that Kyoya and Shunsuke had in similarities was not just on the surface but also on the inside. The ability to observe people around him and not be easily deterred. In reverse, Shunsuke is never cool. He doesn’t really show emotion on the surface but he is certainly someone with lots of passion. Therefore at first when he comes on set he is very quiet, but when needed he will open up and tighten the atmosphere.

I think Shunsuke was fully able to gain a firm grasp of Kouya’s character and around the second half of the drama (series) he increased his presence a lot. Especially in the last episode. The love that Kyoya had for the host club was seen through Shunsuke who has taken great care in the character of Kyoya.

During the (filming of the) drama I was able to talk a lot with Shunsuke about his character but I felt we didn’t have much chance during the movie. Most likely because I felt that he did a great job as Kyoya in the drama and I thought I’d leave it to him in the movie. I wanted to see Shunsuke’s Kyoya; I wanted you guys to see Shunsuke’s Kyoya.

Everyone please go to the movie theatre and take a look at the genuine Kyoya. Even for an instant you should be able to see a kakkoii and uruwashii* Kyoya. *uruwashii: beautiful ~ like what the himes say about the host club members

I finally finished writing. I worry that I might not be able to wake up … It’s frowned on for directors to be late for the stage greeting (-｡-;

Writing the inside scoop I think anew that I am blessed with the encounter of Ouran, especially the cast who I think in one word is a miracle. That no one else but them can play these characters. We will try are best to be hospitable on screen so please come visit ☆

PS: On set Shunsuke often reread the manga, and secretly practiced alone. Especially in episode 3, he kept practicing the ballroom dancing steps during break time. In the shadows. This is where he’s so much like Kyoya, a hard worker. I think it’s cute (^^)