Masahiro Higashide Faces Criticism for Remarriage After Being Blessed with a Child But Remains Likable According to Movie Insider

In May of this year, during an appearance on internet television, Higashide stated:

“I want to be the kind of dad who can say to my daughters and sons, ‘You can always come to me if you need to.’ So, I’m not considering starting a new family at all.”

Given that he had already begun dating Karen at that time,

“How careless can he be? He hasn’t changed at all.”

It’s understandable that he faced such criticism.

An insider from the film industry who knows Higashide well said the following.

 

Behind his declaration of not starting a new family

“This is both his good and bad side. When asked about his feelings at that moment, he speaks honestly. During the affair scandal, when a female reporter asked him who he preferred, An or Karata, he responded, “I think discussing my inner feelings here would hurt my wife.” This really reflects his personality. While honesty is admirable, he can be clumsy about it.

So when he said he wouldn’t have a new family, he may genuinely not have intended to remarry at that time. Perhaps his girlfriend felt the same way. But I think having a child changed his mind. Still, there was probably no need to speak about it so explicitly. While he faced criticism, I believe that Higashide won’t be discouraged by it now.”

Higashide spoke in a past interview:

“I think I was able to become more reckless because I realized I didn’t have to worry about anything anymore.”

He probably doesn’t pay much attention to the criticism on social media. Moreover, such criticism won’t last long; it will eventually be forgotten.

Even after the affair scandal, Higashide’s acting career did not come to an end. According to the aforementioned film insider:

“There are many friends and junior colleagues who visit him at his ‘mountain cabin.’ Some media personnel even come not for interviews. Once people interact with him, they all become fans. His earnestness and dedication to everything attract them, and many directors and staff want to work with him. During the affair scandal, he was heavily criticized, with some saying he was a terrible actor, but that’s definitely not the case. You can’t continue appearing in films solely because of a good personality.”

This reveals the reasons why he continues to receive offers to appear.

In a past interview, when asked about his “ideal,” Higashide responded:

“My ideal is to be a ‘lone wolf,’ living independently and autonomously. I want to become stronger both physically and mentally. If I become stronger, I can accomplish many things, help others, and broaden the range of my acting. I aspire to be strong.”

There is nothing stronger than a “lone wolf” who has something to protect.