Nozomi Honda on 17 Years in Showbiz: “The Longer the Lines, the More Excited I Get!”

She leads a busy life, but she says she has never hit a wall so hard that she thought about quitting.

“My basic mindset is, ‘When you’re struggling, that’s the time to pump your fist in victory.’ The longer the lines, the more fired up I get (laughs). There’s something thrilling about turning the page and seeing that my lines are still going. To be honest, I haven’t faced any truly overwhelming obstacles yet. That’s why I want to keep going, and when I do eventually face difficulties, I actually feel more excited in anticipation.

That said, there was a time when I thought, ‘Maybe I have to quit.’ I realized how greedy I was. Maybe sensing my worries, Mr. Sei Hiraizumi (80), who has known me since I was a child, told me, ‘It’s amazing that you’ve found so many things you love.’ Hearing those words, I decided that it’s okay to be greedy, and I want to keep doing both until I truly grow tired of them.”

Goals as an actress

In the January drama Futari Solo Camp (TOKYO MX), she delivers a compelling performance as the heroine, Shizuku Kusano, a camping beginner. As an actress, her goal is to surprise the audience.

“For those who watched Kaseifu no Mita, I want to take on roles that make them say, ‘That’s really the same Kii-chan!?’ in a good way. I want to constantly push the boundaries of my acting and keep pursuing greater expressive power. I’m sure this will remain my theme for years to come.”

What new side of herself will she show us next? There’s no doubt that Nozomi Honda’s journey of challenges and growth will continue to evolve.

From the February 7, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”