Roundtable to Decide Title of Strongest Bad Woman Actress

Candidates for the New Generation of Villainous Actresses

Editor T: Speaking of morning dramas, Rin Kataoka (20), who plays the mysterious student Misae in the currently airing “Tora ni Tsubasa,” is impressive. At first glance, she appears to be an excellent and serious student, but there’s something enigmatic about her. One striking scene is when she tells the heroine, “You are special to me,” while gifting her a red bracelet. The perpetrator of an assault incident also wears a similar red bracelet, and when the heroine confronts her, she suddenly rips off the bracelet and says politely, “I’m sorry. I just remembered something, so I’ll be going home now” before leaving. The fact that a student does this adds to the creepiness.

Shimada: Kataoka is a young actress who has only been in the industry for two years. Despite her beautiful and elegant appearance, she masterfully conveys a psychopathic vibe through subtle expressions and the movement of her eyes. It’s not just about being psychopathic; there’s depth and a hint of sorrow. I look forward to seeing what kind of performance she will deliver in “Tora ni Tsubasa.”

Another actress excelling in “Tora ni Tsubasa” is Nozomi Morita (27), who is also skilled at playing villainous roles. In “Koisuru Haha-tachi” (TBS), her portrayal of a colleague having an affair with the husband of a housewife played by Riisa Naka (34) made a strong impact when she nonchalantly asked, “Is the wife really suitable for the teacher?” Her role as an “adult woman” who seduces and manipulates the protagonist in the film “Diorama Boy, Panorama Girl” was also excellent. She excels at embodying seductive villainous characters but can also take on cute roles like Hanayuki. She is truly a talented actress.

Hiyama: If we’re talking about young “villains,” my top pick would be Sara Shida (25), who is currently starring in “Maruhi no Mitsuko-san” (NTV). She plays a slightly mean young lady, perfectly embodying both her glamorous appearance and her wicked personality. I really felt her talent shine in her first lead role in the drama “Kesenai ‘Watashi’—the Chain of Revenge” (NTV) this past January. The protagonist, who was assaulted by a classmate in high school, has the video spread online, leading to her parents being killed. The hell she goes through pushes her to seek revenge, and her performances capturing despair, coldness, and intense emotion were truly impressive.

There are also other young actresses showcasing bold performances in late-night dramas. For example, Nana Asakawa (25) in “Douka Watashi yori Fukou de Ite Kudasai” (NTV) this season delivers an incredible portrayal of a villain. The story revolves around her stealing her sister’s husband, but she skillfully switches between her cute sister facade and her villainous expressions when plotting her schemes.

Shimada: I think Sora Tamaki (18) has great potential as well. Her passionate performance in the currently airing “Sky Castle” (TV Asahi) is drawing attention. She plays an outstanding middle school student who loses her mother, who raised her alone. While sorting through her belongings, she discovers that her biological father is the father of a classmate. She ends up staying at her biological father’s house, suppressing her emotions and behaving quietly. Yet, she speaks to a photo of her mother, saying, “Mom, I finally got into this house.” I can’t wait to see the revenge drama unfold.