Nanao Reflects on Her Acting Roots and the Charm of Comedy

My roots are in comedy.

“The first line I spoke as an actress was as a child crying old man, saying ‘Hogya!’ (laughs). I now realize that my roots lie in comedy.”

Nanao (35), who was scouted in Shibuya and began her entertainment career in 2009, made her acting debut in the 2012 TV drama “Omoni Naitemasu” (Fuji TV), based on Akiko Higashimura’s popular manga. The romantic comedy depicted the non-dating life of a model whose beauty causes happiness to elude her.

Twelve years have passed since then, and she has become a popular actress. In the October drama “Munou no Takah” (TV Asahi), she returns to her roots. This laid-back workplace comedy, based on the manga of the same name by Asami Hanzaki, features Nanao as the protagonist, Takano Tsumeko, who appears capable but is actually so inept that she can’t even make copies, staple documents, or start her computer.

“I often hear people say that I seem perfect’ but that’s not the case at all. I’m so nervous that my heartbeat gets picked up by the pin microphone (laughs). I’m frequently told that I seem to have good athletic ability, but that’s completely untrue… My mother is often surprised by how well I handle action scenes because I have no confidence in my athleticism at all…”

Despite her smart appearance and confident demeanor, it’s hard to imagine that she embodies such a gap, which she brilliantly utilizes in this role.

Nanao reflects on moments during the shoot that remind her of her debut work.

“When I look back at “Omo ni Naitemasu”, I feel embarrassed about my acting at that time (laughs). However, it was then that I discovered the joy of being on set, and it helped me decide to pursue acting seriously. This time, taking on a comedy again allowed me to return to my roots.”

Her vivid debut work is deeply etched in her memory. She mentioned that there were unexpected events leading up to that point.

“On a variety show called ‘Uchi Kuru!?’ (Fuji TV), my mother’s homemade dishes were served as a surprise. The producer of the drama saw me crying while eating it and reportedly decided, ‘Let’s cast this girl.’ If it weren’t for my mother’s cooking, I might not be an actress today (laughs).”

 

From Villainess to the World.

Nanao has played strong characters such as the villain and serial killer in the 2014 drama “First Class” and the 2015 drama “Sirene”. Since then, playing the role of a villain has become her trademark, and she has grown into a popular actress.

“When I portray a villain, I make it a point to be interested in that character. I think the essence of acting is to draw out what’s within myself and incorporate all parts—both the dark and the light—into the role.”

Her deep affection and immersion in her characters lead to authentic performances. However, because she becomes so engrossed in her roles, there have been times when she has carried them over even after filming has ended.

“I’ve been told by others that I haven’t let go of the role. I don’t realize it myself, but even after filming is over, my way of speaking, clothing, and makeup are all unconsciously influenced. Recently, I’ve started thinking about how to let go of a role. I prioritize refreshing myself and taking time for myself so I can gradually return to my true self.”

Entering her 30s, she has become more conscious of the importance of health management due to her busy schedule. She has started to confront her mental and physical well-being, and she finds that digital detox has been particularly effective.

“These days, I often feel overwhelmed by the volume and speed of information. In this information-saturated digital society, I feel it’s necessary to intentionally set aside time to distance myself. I try to maintain balance to reset my mind.”

This year marks the 15th anniversary of her entertainment career, and she opened a fan club in August. What is her goal for the future?

“I believe that being an actor is a rewarding job because it allows me to deliver messages to many people. I hope that by seeing the refreshingly alive character of Tsumeko Takano, viewers can feel, ‘It’s okay to be me.’ Recently, I’ve been inspired by people like Hiroyuki Sanada, who won an Emmy Award, and Shohei Ohtani, who is excelling globally. I still want to aim higher!”

Nanao’s eyes reflect the world as she steadily builds her career.

From the October 18 and 25, 2024 issue of FRIDAY