Hi, everyone! Good mornin-nin-ninja☆
Morning, Emu.
I guess you came up with another weird greeting today...
Hehe♪
I'm trying to think like a ninja since we've been practicing to do a historical drama!
Hehe. Some may object to the idea of a ninja greeting others by saying, “Good morning.”
But I can tell that you're very excited about getting to be a part of “Ginnosuke's on the Case!”
In truth, I'm also looking forward to it.
A number of aspects will be different from our usual performances, such as getting to perform out in the open on the streets.
Yeah, exactly!
I can't wait to do it for real♪ Right, Tsukasa?
Huh...?
Now that I think about it, where is Tsukasa?
Oh, Emu, did you not see his message?
Last night, he sent us one saying, “I'll be practicing on my own, so the rest of you head over without me.”
Oh, gotcha!
He's been really focused lately.
Yes, he has.
After all, he was given a fairly big role for this production.
I'm guessing he's having sword fighting practice with Mr. Kijima right now.
Right...
In that case, we should hurry over.
Okay!
Let's go, you guys!!!
Gooood morni—
*Roar*
Wh-What?!?!
Wh-What's Tsukasa doing...?!
Why's he running back and forth like that...?!
*Roar*
Could this be a part of his basic training...?
Still, he's got a ferocious look on his face.
That was so cool!
Did you hear the way he roared just now?!
I'm not sure “cool” is the right word.
To be honest, he sounded more like a wild animal to me...
Ah, good morning to you all!
And you're here so early again!
I'm impressed!
Oh, Mr. Kijima, good morning!!!
So, umm...
What's Tsukasa doing?
That doesn't look like one of our regular exercises...
This?
I designed it specifically for Tenma!
Hm...?!
Oh, you're all here!
I didn't realize...
*Cough*
Whoa!
A-Are you okay?!
I-I'm fine!
It's my fault for trying to speak before catching my breath!
Okay, if you say so...
Yes, I apologize if I caused you any concern! But I couldn't be better!
However!
I may be done with that exercise, but I don't have time to dawdle.
I need to have a meal and drink my protein within the next forty-five minutes!
Let's see... My protein and shaker should be in my bag...
W-Wow, he...
He sounds so motivated today!
Or rather, he's been suddenly awakened.
Did something happen?
Ah, thank you for asking!
Starting today, I've decided that I'm going to attain a new level of fitness!!!
A new level of fitness?
Yes!
As you all know, “Ginnosuke's on the Case!” will be showing soon.
So, yesterday, while working on my sword fighting skills with Mr. Kijima...
“Come, Heihachi!
Now is our chance to show off our skills!”
“Yes, Mr. Ginnosuke!”
“Alright, get 'em!”
...
(“Ginnosuke's on the Case!” is a fairly standard tale about a detective from the Edo period.)
(Mr. Kijima plays the protagonist, Ginnosuke, who is the toughest constable in all of ancient Tokyo. No case goes unsolved when his brawn and brains enter the equation.)
(And I play Heihachi, his detective right-hand man. As such, my sword fighting skills need to be up to snuff.)
(But Mr. Kijima's sword fighting skills are on another level.)
(First of all, each move he makes is purposeful and calculated. You can tell that he's used to fighting from his body language.)
(Not only that, the way he moves meshes seamlessly with Ginnosuke the constable's personality...)
(Mr. Kijima's even parrying and deflecting attacks in a forceful manner that doesn't match his own personality at all. He must be doing that on purpose.)
(If I too could mold my body to match that of my character...)
Alright, let's take a break here!
Okay!
Excuse me, Mr. Kijima!
Hm? How can I help you, Tenma?
So, I have a question...
How can I learn to move the way you do?!
Huh?
Ever since we began practicing for “Ginnosuke's on the Case!”, I keep thinking to myself...
That you wield a sword so elegantly...
The way you move your hands and feet... How you're able to truly become your character is just so astonishing...!
I've been doing my best while training with your troupe, but I still can't move the way I'd like to...
As an actor, I want to learn to move the way you do, Mr. Kijima!
So, please teach me!
Show me how to emulate what you do...!
How...?
Well, to put it in simple terms...
You need to become more fit!!!!
Huh...?
Wait, but...
I know that staying fit is important.
I was talking about other things that...
Stop right there, Tenma!
Yes, I understand that “becoming more fit” may sound dull and mundane.
But it's very important to you right now.
That's what I believe.
Can you elaborate further...?
First, Tenma, your acting skills are already unquestionably good.
You've even started thinking about how to improve the way you portray your character by moving more like him. That's very admirable of you...
Th-Thank you very much...!
I feel honored!
However, on the other hand...
Your body is having trouble keeping up with your mind.
...!!!
Staged fights and battle involve more than just combat. They're a part of a bigger scene, and each actor needs to move accordingly.
In other words, you have to battle while wearing someone else's shoes. Which isn't easy, and requires having fuller control over your body.
Fuller control...
That's right. Based on your current flexibility, as well as the strength of your core and other muscles, your body leaves a lot to be desired...
So, in order to achieve a higher level of control, you need to become more fit.
Y-Yes, I see...!
And I completely agree...
If I don't have the basics down, then I'm never going to solve more complex problems. Does that about sum things up...?
Yeah, exactly.
There is a chance that you'll succeed based on pure luck, but you wouldn't be able to repeat what you did.
Becoming a good actor means having good fundamentals. Work hard on your fitness, and then you'll be able to achieve perfect control over your body.
Yes, understood!
...is what happened!
Which is why I'm doing everything I can right now to raise my fitness level!
Now it all makes sense!
It also explains why you suddenly started drinking protein.
It's not just protein! Chicken, boiled eggs, broccoli! Everything I need in order to efficiently gain more muscle!
Hehe. It's like you've turned into an athlete.
By the way, Mr. Kijima, I have a question regarding what happens after your fundamentals have reached a sufficient level...
Do you keep on working out in order to put on better portrayals of the characters you play?
Yes, of course.
Depending on a character's personality, upbringing and such, which muscles I need to tone can change greatly. I do my best to match their situations.
Whoa...!
You work on individual muscles?! That's amazing...!
Yeah...
It's like every fiber of your being is involved in becoming your character.
Anyway, to summarize...
First, you need to increase your stamina. Once you've done that, you need to think about how you're going to sculpt your body to match your character's.
By doing so, you'll slowly come to understand how your character moves and behaves... That's how I've been learning to play my characters until now.
How my character moves and behaves...
That's right. And you feel this incredible rush after you've solved that puzzle! The satisfaction of knowing that your body fully participated in the portrayal of your character!
Keep doing your best to solve your character's puzzle, Tenma! I promise to give you all the support I can!
Thank you! I appreciate it!
(First, I need to work on my fundamentals...!)
(Then, I need to learn how to master the way my character moves and behaves! And take my next big step towards stardom!)
*Roar*
Let's do this!!!