Diego Peralta
Tokyo Vice tells the brutal story of how Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort) got to learn more about the criminal underworld in Japan once he was sent to investigate. But one of the most complex characters in the entire series is Akiro Sato (Show Kasamatsu), an enforcer in the Chihara-kai yakuza clan who collects protection money. As one of the most unpredictable characters from the project, it’s hard for audiences to know where Sato might go next.
Awards Radar had the opportunity to interview Show Kasamatsu, who was very excited to discuss how the success of Tokyo Vice was unlike anything else he had experienced in his career up to that point. The performer also talked about how the psychology of Akiro Sato made the character unpredictable and dangerous, as he tried to find his place in the series created for television by J.T. Rogers.
Awards Radar: The first season of Tokyo Vice was more successful than people expected. How did that change the plans for the second season?
Show Kasamatsu: For season one, there were a lot of things that I had to learn. I didn’t know what to do. But for season two, taking it all in. The pressure made it really meaningful for me to play Sato in the second season.
AR: Sato is one of the most crucial characters in Tokyo Vice. What do you think about the responsibilities he has in the story?
SK: The first season created a lot of fans. And that meant that the second season brought a lot of expectations for Sato. He has to go over the expectations he had, and that’s his main responsibility. How do I live life as an actor? I have to show that through playing Sato. I just wanted to keep going as Sato.
What was something challenging about playing Sato that audiences might not know about?
SK: When playing Sato, I was really careful with how much I played the part. I didn’t want to show too much emotion or underplay it. I spent a lot of time thinking about the best way to portray the emotion of every scene. But once I got on set, I just went with the flow. But because I spent so much time thinking about every line, that might be one of the things audiences don’t realize. But at the same time, they don’t have to know. It looks easy, but I struggled with the performance I went with.
AR: How was the role of Sato different from everything else you’ve done in your career?
SK: Maybe I’ll find out ten or twenty years from now. As an actor, I just want to know if I grew as a performer and a human being. If I succeed, Sato will be the first step towards becoming an international actor. But if I fail, I’m just going to blame it on Tokyo Vice! (laughs).
AR: I do believe your biggest projects are still ahead of you!
SK: Nobody knows the future!
AR: (laughs) Sure thing! Going back to Sato, he plays Street Fighter II. Is that a hobby you share with Sato? Or was playing video games just something your character did?
SK: I’m not very good a video games. But somehow, fighting games are a bit easier. If you remember, back in the day, Street Fighter was famous. But Tekken was really popular when I was younger, I used to play that a lot!
AR: What were some of your inspirations for the role of Sato in Tokyo Vice?
SK: When playing Sato, I tried using feelings found withing myself. Anything outside of me wasn’t going into Sato. But at the same time, I looked for the meaning of playing Sato while also looking for myself. Because of the environment outside of the show, anything affecting me doesn’t affect Sato. But if I got influenced by something outside the environment, that was within me. If I had to struggle, it was only within me.
AR: Tokyo Vice was the biggest project of your career. How did your life change thanks to the series?
SK: After the show, everything was new to me. It’s hard how everyone is telling me to learn English, and to come to the United States because of the time differences for meetings. I have something to believe in and I believe there’s something bright out there. I feel like a horse chasing a carrot that’s constantly running. It’s not easy.
AR: I can imagine, time zones are always complicated. What role would you like to play now that Tokyo Vice has provided new opportunities for your career?
SK: Any role! I was born as an actor, I want to take on any challenge! Sometimes I want to play a super hero, or a criminal, or fall in love with a prince or a princess, or go to space. I’m ready for any character.
AR: I will be seated on day one for all of those projects!
Both seasons of Tokyo Vice are now streaming on Max.
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