Matsuda & Maeda Viewers Captivated by Their Unique Chemistry

It was a role tailored to match Matsuda’s character

In a small park tucked into a corner of an office district, a man and woman sit on a bench, drinking canned beer and chatting cheerfully. They are Genta Matsuda (26) of Travis Japan and actor Atsuko Maeda (33).

On a night in early May, a location shoot for the currently airing drama Jinji no Hitomi (Fuji TV) was underway at a park in Toranomon, Minato Ward — a business district in Tokyo.

The drama is an office entertainment series set in the HR department of an old-fashioned, conservative company. Matsuda plays the silly but pure-hearted protagonist Ren Hitomi, while Maeda portrays Naoki Mano, a smart, strong-willed heroine with a strong sense of justice. Together, they confront various problems within the company.

During filming, the two sat on a bench with serious expressions, having what seemed like an intense conversation as part of the scene. However, the moment the director called cut, their demeanor changed instantly — Matsuda cracked a playful grin, and Maeda’s expression softened. Their on-set chemistry appeared excellent.

In the May 20 broadcast of episode 7, a scene where Hitomi and Mano break down in tears drew attention from viewers. On social media, comments like “I was drawn into their performances” and “I cried along with them” quickly spread. Columnist Mihoko Yamada offered her thoughts on Matsuda:

“I’ve heard that the producer fell in love with Matsuda’s charm and personality as seen on variety shows and cast him as the lead because of it. So the character of Hitomi is practically Matsuda himself. The director’s approach has reportedly been, ‘Goof off when you want to, cry when you feel like it.’ He’s running wild in that environment, and I can only imagine this project will positively impact his future acting work.”

As for Maeda, she has recently drawn comments on social media like she’s gotten too skinny and looks very slim, prompting some concern about her health. But Yamada says there’s no need to worry:

“In recent years, Maeda has taken on a wide variety of roles with fearless commitment, establishing herself as a distinctive, versatile actor. She’s no longer attached to being a lead, and the image of her as the AKB48 center has long since faded — in a good way. In Jinji no Hitomi, she delivers compelling performances in emotional scenes opposite the unpredictable Hitomi. She truly seems to be enjoying her acting career, and I believe her slimmer physique is part of her dedication to her craft.”

Both actors have firmly established themselves as unique, standout performers. Their future work is something to watch with anticipation.

 

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