Wan Marui of Bakabake Gains Attention for Passionate Performance Revealing the True Friendly Side of the Unique Actor

Cried during the wrap-up

“Lately, thanks to the influence of the morning drama, when I walk around town, all sorts of people really speak to me.”

Squinting her eyes in that way is actress Wan Enai (28), who continues to leave a vivid impression in every work with her unique presence.

For Enai, the length of screen time doesn’t matter. Even in just one scene, her mere appearance can completely change the atmosphere of the space. As a result, she has earned recognition as a memorable actor across dramas and commercials alike.

On the other hand, behind that intense presence, her true self is somewhat veiled. With a mysterious aura and a distinctive stage name we conducted an interview to get closer to the real her.

First, we asked about her stage name, “Wan Enai,” which many people are likely curious about.

“I originally wanted to use a stage name. My actor friends said I resembled a Shiba Inu, so I chose ‘Wan’ as the name. I’m actually very friendly, but when I was younger I was very sharp and intense (laughs), so the ‘Enai’ part came from people wishing I would mellow out. Combining the two resulted in ‘Wan Enai,’ which is memorable for everyone, I think.”

In the currently airing NHK morning drama “Bakebake”, she plays Sawa Notzu, nicknamed “Osawa,” the childhood friend of the heroine Toki Matsuno (Akari Takaishi, 23). Sawa is the daughter of a former lower-ranking samurai in Matsue and aspires to become a teacher to escape poverty.

Although her screen time isn’t long, her gestures of suppressed anger and her explosively cheerful smile captured viewers’ hearts. It became a special work for Enai as well.

“It had the best cast, the best staff, and the best script. Everything came together in ‘Bakebake’. It’s truly an important work. At the overall wrap-up, I cried my eyes out. I completely experienced ‘Bakebake loss.’ I felt like there was a gaping hole in my heart. I’ve only recently recovered, but it’s that important to me and it also reminded me of the joy of the acting world.”

We asked her about the roots of that expressive power.

“When I was five, for some reason I thought, ‘I want to act.’ But, as I mentioned, I was quite sharp when I was young (laughs). I once performed in a school play, but it had a structure where five people had the same role and said the same lines in order, and I was uninterested. The everyone the same thing didn’t sit well with me at that age.”

That feeling connects to her current pursuit of being unique and one-of-a-kind.

“I spent my days somewhat aimlessly, but the turning point was the drama ‘3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi-sensei’ (7th series, TBS). Hikaru Yaotome (35) from Hey! Say! JUMP played a student struggling with drug addiction with overwhelming acting skill, and it struck me. I realized acting could move my heart so deeply. At that moment, I decided to seriously become an actor. Then I enrolled in a high school where students aspiring to be actors or other performers gathered.”

Plays game streams for nine hours

Enai describes herself as laid-back, yet she receives numerous offers to appear in works. How does she bridge that gap?

“Honestly, sometimes I get so busy that I don’t even know what I’m doing. Acting is a job I started because I love it, but there are moments when I feel like I might start to dislike it. At times like that, I just cry my heart out.

And then there’s shopping. I love giving gifts to people, so the moments I shop are when I feel most at peace. I also watch game streams to create empty time for myself. There have been times I’ve watched for nine hours straight. I’m not depressed or anything, so no need to worry (laughs).”

Acting is everything to her. Enai says this without hesitation. Her gaze is already fixed on the next stage. Her vision for the future.

“I want to play all kinds of roles. Recently, I’ve been getting similar types of roles, so I want to try something more challenging. For example, a spy (laughs). I want to take on roles that can pleasantly subvert people’s expectations of me.”

She smiles shyly, yet her words reveal a clear ambition.

“I also want to act in international productions someday. There’s a language barrier, so it won’t be easy, but I want to see how far my acting can go.”

Enai has been cast in the Sunday drama starting in April, “GIFT” (TBS), which centers on a struggling wheelchair rugby team in parasports. The story depicts bonds and personal growth as the characters clash physically and emotionally, learning the importance of teammates and family. Enai plays a woman who supports the team with her leadership and analytical skills.

Then, on March 30 and 31, a spin-off drama of “Bakebake” starring “Osawa” will air, showing the story viewers were curious about with Shoda (Shogo Hama, 31).

Wan Enai, both gentle and a little sharp, is likely inhabiting and performing yet another character today.