Yuumi Kawai Shines with Jiro Sato in Anno Koto

Actress Yuumi Kawai, who broke out with the January TV drama ‘Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru!’ (TBS), continues to make impressive strides.

“Yuumi Kawai, who rose to fame with her role as a Showa-era delinquent high school student in ‘Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru!’ and topped the ‘2024 First Half Breakout Actors Ranking (Female)’ by ORICON NEWS, has been cast as the younger sister of the heroine (Mio Imada) in the upcoming morning drama ‘Anpan’ (NHK) for the first half of next year. Playing the sister of a morning drama heroine often leads to greater opportunities, as seen with stars like Mitsuki Takahata, Tao Tsuchiya, and Kaya Kiyohara.

Additionally, her lead role in the drama ‘Kazoku Dakara Aishitan Janakute, Aishita no ga Kazoku Datta’ (NHK BS Premium), which won the Galaxy Award for the TV division in July last year, will be re-aired on NHK General’s ‘Drama 10’ slot starting in July, demonstrating her growing influence in the television world this year.” (Wide show insider)

Her activities are not limited to just dramas.

Her lead role in the film *Namibia no Sabaku* won the International Federation of Film Critics Award at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Walking the red carpet and delivering a speech in English, she was surrounded by a dazzling aura.

Yuumi Kawai, a remarkable talent now recognized globally, has appeared in over 20 films in just five years since her debut. Among them, her current lead role in *Anno Koto* is considered one of her greatest works.

“The story begins when the 21-year-old protagonist, An (played by Kawai), who has endured violence from her mother since childhood and was forced into prostitution in her mid-teens, is interrogated on suspicion of drug use.

 

The film, inspired by an event that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, portrays her intense struggle and determination to ‘live out her life again.’ Yuumi Kawai’s performance, filled with raw reality and commitment, sets a new standard that other actresses her age cannot match” (according to the producer from the production company) 

To prepare for her role as An, Yuumi Kawai conducted extensive research, interviewing the real-life woman who served as the model, as well as experts in drug rehabilitation and caregiving. She also participated in camera tests, which are usually done without actors, to gradually adapt to the character’s time and environment. Kawai thoroughly rehearsed important scenes multiple times, allowing her performance to be guided by genuine emotions that arose from deep reflection.

“Director Yu Irie said of the film, ‘I wanted to use Kawai’s physical presence to rediscover the world the real woman faced. Although it’s a painful approach for actors, she faced it with her whole being.’ He added that the film could not have been made without Yuumi Kawai’s commitment to the role” (according to the production company’s director).

Filming began in December 2022. To faithfully “live out An’s life,” the production followed a “shooting in sequence” approach as much as possible, and Irie also revamped his directorial approach to focus on the character’s urgent will to live and the fluctuations of her struggle.

Amidst this, a heart-wrenching scene arrives.

In a small nursing home, An finds a caregiving job. After buying a notebook and yoga mat with her first paycheck and returning to her apartment, her drunken mother steals her salary. Devastated, An turns to drugs again.

 

“In a poignant scene, An, crying in fear under a bridge on a rainy night, is embraced by Detective Tatara (played by Jiro Sato), who soothes her. Just before this scene, a spontaneous moment occurred when Kawai, overwhelmed by trust, grabbed Sato’s hand. Sato’s character, Detective Tatara, represents a ‘ray of light’ for An. Kawai, feeling a deep connection to Sato’s hand, instinctively held it.

 

Without this ‘unexpected event,’ the extraordinarily moving scene might not have been created. Kawai confessed that the warmth of Sato’s hand influenced the emotional intensity of the scene. The impact of this moment continues to resonate deeply with many viewers” (according to the previously mentioned director).

Since playing An, Kawai has approached her roles with the mindset:

“I’ll do my best because An is watching.”

“I’ll perform in a way that doesn’t bring shame to those who served as models, including the real person behind the role.”

Kawai expresses that there are moments when she is overwhelmed by these feelings. It is clear that she has entered a new realm as an actress through this work.

Having been taught by her idol Yuriyan Retriever how to deliver an award ceremony speech in a variety show and practicing it herself, Yuumi Kawai’s dream of winning an acting award abroad may be closer to reality than one might think.