Rena Tanaka: “It’s normal to live with my ‘role'” as fate leads me
Interview with "Actress" (Part 2)
A film connected by “karma
Actor Rena Tanaka (45) made her first comedy in over a decade with the film “The Golden Thief,” which opened in theaters on April 3.
In her acting debut film “Ganbatte Ikimasshoi” released in 1998, she passionately played the role of Etsuko Shinomura (a.k.a. Etsu-ne-ae), a high school student who establishes a boat club, which she has always dreamed of. In the last part of the movie, Etsu-ne’e shouts “Ganbatte Ikimasshoi! in the last part of the film, which was a big hit and brought a refreshing sensation to the viewers.
Since then, she has continued to appear in a succession of high-profile films, including “Hatsukoi” (2000) and “Tokyo Marigold” (2001), and has continued to build her career, remaining at the forefront of the industry. In the blink of an eye, his career now spans more than 25 years. In addition, since last August alone, she has appeared in six films.
The reason I kept appearing in films is just a coincidence. The movies that are currently being screened, such as “Night Flower” and “Magamaga Onna”, came to me right after I appeared in the drama “Ichiban Sukina Hana” (Fuji TV) broadcast in 1948 and in the NHK TV series “Boogie Woogie” in 1948. I was told about it. After the filming of the two dramas was over, I started working on the movie at once. It was as if one film was calling me to the next, and I was led by fate to work on it.
Tanaka says that the quality of the “connections” he attracts is also changing. He realized this when he appeared in the socially-conscious film “Fukuda-mura Jiken” (The Fukuda Village Incident, 2011).
When I first received the script, the message was too strong, and I wondered if it would be safe to put it out there. When I first received the script, the message was too strong and I wondered if I could handle it. I was worried that as an actor I might take on a different color. But as the script was brushed up more and more, I was no longer worried. However, I had to tighten up my understanding of the content and the way to convey it. Also, I do look at the reviews. I assumed that people would get the message, but so many people shared my feelings, and I felt as if all the confusion in my heart had been lifted at once.
He continues.
Haruhiko Arai, 79, the director of “The Stars and the Moon are Holes in the Sky,” which was released last December, was one of the people who wrote the screenplay for “The Fukuda Village Incident. Even though I was puzzled for a moment by the film, it led to a later relationship. I am truly glad to have been a part of this film.
In the midst of a surging schedule, he lives one role after another in completely different roles. The overwhelming sense of immersion can be seen in an episode from the movie “Night Flower,” starring Keiko Kitagawa (39).
In the latter half of the film, I was under a lot of pressure to play an important role that would affect the fate of the main character, and I was always nervous. My own shooting days were few, but as soon as the film was cranked, I spent the entire time feeling tense as if I was also on the set on a daily basis. Even when I am not on set, when I am listening to music or riding my bicycle as fast as I can, I suddenly become part of the character. It’s like I’m living with the role. It’s normal for me.”
″Work hard at your job, don’t work too hard at raising your children.
The greatness of possessing a role in one’s daily life. Behind her ability to survive this rush of appearances was a major decision she made two years ago.
I had a baby and couldn’t work, so I thought about what I could do to improve my skills. When I thought about working twice as hard as I used to, I thought, ‘It’s now or never! So, two years ago, I started attending acting classes to relearn the basics of acting from the ground up. I had wanted to take the class for a long time, but I couldn’t go because I was told that people would be surprised if Rena came. Even now, I say to myself, “I can’t believe it! I don’t need it. I still get comments like, ‘I can’t believe it!
What motivated her to shed her veteran’s armor was a genuine desire to perform.
It’s really for my own sake. In a way, it’s like training for acting. I have to prepare my brain and body so that when there is a gap between productions, I can move immediately. Besides, if you have knowledge of the basics and methods, you can broaden the scope of your performance. I am not bound to do what I have to do, but it is not the same as just doing it freely every time. I think there is no harm in acquiring a certain base.
While she stoically pursues a deeper level of expression by attending acting classes, away from the camera she is also a mother with a six-year-old child.
I don’t really live by a motto, but I do my best at work, but I don’t overdo it when it comes to raising my child. I concentrate on my work, but when it comes to raising my child, I try my best to make it easy and not work too hard (laughs).
The reporter asked Tanaka, “Does your child drink Natchan? He nodded his head in embarrassment.
Yes, he does. My child is drinking Natchan now. He said, “I want to drink Natchan! I want to drink it,’ he said. He heard about it from someone and said, ‘Isn’t this what Mommy used to do? (laughs). I am happy that my child understands my work like that, and when I appeared on the information program “Asa Ichi” (NHK), I was really moved by the many messages I received from viewers saying, “I named my child Nacchan, or Rena. I was also very moved by the many messages I received from viewers. I felt that my activities at that time still have such a deep impact on someone’s life.
I want to appear in foreign productions.
While continuing to act on the screen as an actor, Tanaka is also an enthusiast who consistently watches seven to eight movies each month. In “The Golden Thief,” she plays Mikako, a housewife who becomes fascinated with gold. When asked, “What would you do if you had a lot of money in real life?
I would like to make a movie. I’ve recently had many opportunities to watch things that moved me when I was little, such as Steven Spielberg’s (79) “E.T.” and “Gremlins,” with my children and be moved by them again. If I had more money, I would like to make films that would transcend the ages and stay with me forever. But I would rather be a player (actor) than a megaphone player.
Morisaki Wynn (35), who I worked with this time, has appeared in Spielberg’s films, and I really look up to him (laughs). I like the films of Korean director Hong Sang-soo (65) and would like to act in one someday. In recent years, with the proliferation of distribution and other means of production, co-productions with foreign countries have become more accessible, and I would like to actively participate in such projects.
Her ambitions as an artist are endless. What is the driving force that keeps her going?
I am indebted to the film industry for finding me and bringing me out into the world. I am very indebted to them. That is why I want to continue to work with sincerity and purity of heart. I think I need to make the most of the opportunities I have received, not only for the content of my plays, but also for my human skills on the set. I need to grow in that area. I want to continue to be a ‘useful actor.
The girl who once hoped that “someone would find me” has now made great strides to become an indispensable presence in the world of film.
From “FRIDAY” May 1 and 8, 2026
PHOTO： Takehiko Kohiyama