Junki Tozuka Reflects on Days of Regret After Being Told He Had the Face of a Part-Timer

“I was uncertain in my 20s, but now I can honestly say that I made the right choices.”

This is what actor Junki Tozuka (32) says with a gentle smile. Many may know him from his role as lawyer Taichi Todoroki in the NHK morning drama “Tora ni Tsubasa.”

“What do you know about me?”

When it comes to Tozuka, he has showcased his exceptional acting skills by portraying a wide range of roles, from serious characters to more comedic ones, adding depth to the productions. He now appears in works by top creators like Yuichi Fukuda (56) and Koki Mitani (63), but the journey to get here has not been easy.

 

He entered the entertainment industry after winning the “Ideal Partner Award” at the 23rd Junon Super Boy Contest in 2010. Just a year after moving to Tokyo, he was cast in a leading role in “Kamen Rider Wizard” (TV Asahi), but then he faced a dry spell where he struggled so much that he could hardly afford to buy Yoshinoya’s gyudon.

 

Yet, what kept him pursuing acting?

 

“I had no interest in the entertainment industry at all, but my mother encouraged me to try it, so I came to Tokyo from my hometown of Iwate. Things didn’t go well for me. I worked part-time at a gas station and helped behind the scenes with production. During that time, I felt really frustrated and just wanted to be out there performing. I was working part-time to make a living, yet when I went to auditions, I was told, ‘You look like a part-timer.’ I thought, ‘What do you know about me?'”

 

His quiet demeanor conveys sincerity and a strong sense of humility. Tozuka has now established a solid position in the industry, to the point where he is considered unmatched in comedic performances. He says his love for comedy began after watching “that masterpiece.”

 

“I loved the movie ‘The Mask’ when I was a kid. I didn’t really understand what being an actor meant, but Jim Carrey was so comedic and funny; I thought he was amazing. After I actually became an actor, I was fortunate to have opportunities mainly in comedic roles. Luckily, many of my peers didn’t pursue comedy, so I was able to continue down that path. On the flip side, I haven’t had much connection with romantic lead roles, and people often say I lack charm. Comedy is fun to perform, but at the same time, the more I act in it, the more I feel its difficulty, so there’s always something to learn.”

What led you to know about “#Our Tsunokoro”?

Currently, as mentioned earlier, he is passionately playing the role of Taichi Todoroki in the NHK morning drama “Tora ni Tsubasa.” His straightforward and passionate character has become quite popular, leading to the creation of the hashtag “#Our Todoroki” on social media.

“I don’t really check social media, so I honestly didn’t know about the reaction. It was during that time that Sairi Ito told me, ‘Todoroki has become really popular.’ I believe that the character was created by everyone rather than just me, and I felt a sense of fulfillment while performing, knowing that the role was positively impacting the work. I played the character for a year, from his student days to adulthood, which felt quite strange, but it was a wonderful experience.” 

Currently, Koki Mitani’s film “Let’s Talk About Suomi,” for which he serves as both writer and director, is in theaters for the first time in five years. Tozuka plays the role of Naotora Okkotsu, the caretaker of the selfish artist Samukawa, portrayed by Bando Yajuro. Mitani revealed his reason for casting Tozuka, saying:

“When I went to see the revival of the play ‘Vamp Show,’ which I wrote nearly 30 years ago, I found that Tozuka was playing the role originally performed by Arata Furuta, and it was wonderful. I thought, ‘What an interesting person this is!’ and immediately asked him to join the project.” (Excerpt from “Cinema Natalie,” July 9, 2024)

Mitani disclosed this information.

His first job with the admired Koki Mitani.

Tozuka, making his first appearance in a Mitani work, said:

“I found the way Mitani-san makes films to be very unique. First, there’s the rehearsal period, which is unusual, and I was surprised by the long takes that feel very theatrical. He also changes things right before the shoot based on what we rehearsed. But that’s because Mitani-san values freshness, and as a result, it ends up being something even better, which was a great learning experience for me.

I was able to prepare for my role in advance and make suggestions, and I felt truly happy to be working with the admired Mitani-san. ‘Let’s Talk About Suomi’ expands into a world unique to Mitani’s works, and I think it has become a piece where you see a side of Masami Nagasawa that you’ve never seen before. There’s a shocking long take where Suomi, played by Nagasawa, delivers a monologue, so I hope people pay attention to that.”

With his eyes sparkling, I asked Tozuka about his goals as he continues to shine as a one-of-a-kind presence. After searching for words one by one, he responded.

 

“I spent my twenties with no room to spare, throwing myself into the roles I was given. However, after turning 30, I found a bit of mental space and became able to reflect on the past. I’m not the type who made a dramatic leap as an actor; instead, I’ve learned from many respected people, like Yuichi Fukuda and Koki Mitani, and that’s brought me to where I am now. So, I want to continue meeting various people and playing different roles.”

Tozuka is sure to continue showcasing his comedic talent and captivating audiences.