Abandoning the "Good Guy"? Mizobata Junpei tackles his first Delinquent Role in a Mobilephone Drama

The Bee TV mobile drama by AVEX and NTT Docomo 'Hidamari no Basho ~Hatsukoi~' stars Mizobata Junpei, who takes on his first delinquent role. Falling in love with Mizobata in the heroine role is young actress Renbutsu Misako. Broadcasts begin from 20th January onwards.

So far, Mizobata has been cast in the 'good guy' roles. It started from 'Akai Ito', then last year he was in 'BOSS' and 'Buzzer Beat ~Gakeppuchi no Hero~'. This year, he will be in the movies 'Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu' and 'NECK'. He opens up about the challenges of being cast in a new 'bad boy' role.

Regarding his character, "He's different from the usual delinquent who likes to show-off. He doesn't feel like he belongs, but he's a young man with adult toughness with his group of friends. He's overflowing with vitality. Because there's nowhere to channel this energy, he ends up getting into fights and mischief. While playing this role, I thought that his awkwardness about not really fitting in, a trait that many youths face, should be portrayed."

Filming was completed last year in Kofu, Yamanashi. Commenting on the filming atmosphere, "There were many guys, everyday it was like being in a boys' school. They were reserved at first, there seemed to be a hierarchy-type of relationship, but once we got back to the hotel, all the guys got into the large public bath. Since then we've all loosened up. Chatting about mundane topics, and also about the drama, we had a good time," he recalls.

Youths with hearts engulfed in darkness, what will their response be? How will the fateful love end?

'Hidamari no Basho ~Hatsukoi~', begins airing on 20th January on BeeTV (5 mins x 24 episodes, new episode every Sunday).

Mizobata Junpei and Aibu Saki to star in NECK

Aibu Saki and Mizobata Junpei will play the lead roles in 'NECK' which opens in summer 2010. Kuriyama Chiaki and Hiraoka Yuuta are also part of the cast. The original work by Maijou Outarou is of a new 'kyun' horror genre. Playing the part of an eccentric girl is Aibu Saki, "My hairstyle has gone for an image change. I'm not a fan of horror, but let's have fun together!"

The movie version differs from the stage version which starts in February 12 2010 in Tokyo's Aoyama amphitheatre. Mizobata's character in the movie version is unlike his stage one. While the movie and stage play share the same motif, their storylines are not the same.

Aibu Saki and Mizobata Junpei star in 'kyun horror' movie!

Aibu Saki and Mizobata Junpei will star in horror movie 'NECK' that will open next summer. It is based on novelist Maijou Outarou's original work. Maijou has written two works, one for the movie and another for a stage play, both with the same motif but completely different stories.

In the movie, university student Shuto (Mizobata) is called by the classmate he has a crush on Suginara (Aibu) to her laboratory. For some reason, there is a big wooden box there that if you climb into, will cause only the head to reappear. The story begins there. Others in the story include Suginara's childhood friend, popular novelist writer Matarou (Hiraoka Yuuta) and Matarou's editor played by Kuriyama Chiaki.

This is the first time that both Aibu and Mizobata will appear in a horror movie. Aibu who plays the eccentric girl involved in the research of making ghosts said,"I have a feeling that this is going to be an eerie movie but there will be 'kyun' moments too so it won't just be straight-up horror. There are many components to it. I hope to make a Suginara that the audience will laugh with and be afraid together with." Mizobata describes his character as 'a love-sick puppy being led around by Suginara'. "It's not just a simple horror movie, as the audience laughs and feels refreshed by this movie, I also want them to shiver in fear," Mizobata said.

Filming started on 3rd November and will end later this month. The stage play will start its run on 12th February at Aoyama Theatre. Mizobata will appear in the theater production as well but with a different role. Others in the cast are Itao Itsuji, and TEAM NACS's Suzuki Kousuke and Morisaki Hiroyuki.

Mizobata Junpei is 'Face of the Year'

Mizobata Junpei chosen as 'Face of the Year' by Nikkei Trendy


Popular ikemen actor Mizobata Junpei has been chosen as information magazine Nikkei Trendy's 'Face of the Year.' He attended an event held by the magazine in Tokyo on 2nd November.

With appearances in dramas, movies and various TV programs this year, Mizobata was chosen as the 'Face' that will appear in even more works in future. "I am extremely grateful. To fulfill the expectations from this, I will re-tighten the fundoshi (brace myself) and do my utmost best," Mizobata said, using words rarely heard from young men these days.

He was asked,"What has changed since you became famous?" "The grandmothers from my hometown put me up on a pedestal and tell me, "We're glad we could meet someone we see on television before we die." That gives me mixed feelings though," Mizobata replied with a wry smile.

DAIGO Blog The End of Today's Filming!

Filming for today has ended!

It has been a long day, but it was fun!

For today

Playing the lead role in

'Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu'

A photo with Mizobata Junpei-kun

We're 11 years apart [laugh]

But we chat like friends do while on location ♪

We were together last year on Sanma Goten

From early on, we got along well!

There's a bit of filming left for me

I'll do my best o(^-^)o

DAIGO

Mizobata Junpei Makes Kinami Haruka Want to be a Guy

On the 22nd, actor Mizobata Junpei (20) who plays the lead role in 'Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu' attended the movie announcement event in Tokyo.

It's a moving film about a young man involved in Kouchi's yosakoi dance festival. "Dreams, friendship, love, life. Various themes are packed into this movie," Mizobata said. Kinami Haruka (24), who plays the role of Mizobata's girlfriend, commented "Having conversations (with Mizobata), I'd think about how great it'd be if I were a guy. Then we would be able to take baths together," she laughed. She added, "Mizobata is like an adorable dog."

'Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu' opens in autumn 2010.

Commencement of filming for 'Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu'

On the 28th, actor Mizobata Junpei began filming 'Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu' (The Summer You Danced) at a bridge in Ochichou. Filming will take about 1 month in Kouchi city, including its shopping district. Tentative release of the movie is autumn of 2010.

The main character is a young man who aims of being a photographer in Tokyo. He joins the Yosakoi Festival to fulfill the dream of a young girl (Ayane Omori) with an incurable disease. Together with her older sister (Kinami Haruka), they revive the Yosakoi Team, breathing life into the festival. Through the Yosakoi Festival, themes surrounding dreams and reality, and life and death are explored.

There were about 70 people, including staff members on the first day of filming. When the rain stopped, a camera in the river filmed a scene of Mizobata cycling on a bridge. He stops in the middle, takes a seat and gives a worried look.


Mizobata said "I've been looking forward to the start of filming. To continue chasing your dream, while upholding local traditions, I want to convey the importance of them both."

The Kochi Film Commission is taking applications for 1000 extras for filming on the 16th and 17th October. Details can be found here.

Visit to the Shrine and Gathering with EverGreen Members & Trading Cards