ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF SPOILER FRANCE HEROES INTERVIEW:
Q1 : You're a MIT Grad. I read your father was a world-class research scientist at MIT and your grandfather too was a world-renown scientist. Everything was here to lead you to research. What made you want to be an actor ?
TOHORU: I decided, after 2 previous generations of scientists, that someone had to put an end to the madness!
Seriously though, I was just an artistic, mischievous kid who happened to grow up in an environment that lived and breathed science. As a young kid, I always loved playing pretend. In 4th grade, I did write and perform in my first play...don't remember too much of it, but I seem to recall it being somewhat of a hit! And in college, I gravitated towards this very creative crowd. At MIT, we would always stay up so late in my fraternity, studying and joking around, and when the subject of what to major in came up - I was torn between physics, nuclear, electrical or chemical engineering - I would always finally jokingly say that I really wanted to major in "being the court jester!"
Originality, creativity, curiosity and beyond science, artistic culture were all greatly valued in my family. I was exposed regularly to incredible art, music, cinema, and theatre. My grandpa, who would talk of his "love of the unknown" was thrilled to hear that I was "truly taking my own path". My dad, who won major scientific awards for the creative nature of his work, would tell me he was, " one of those lucky people whose profession is also his hobby", and often spoke of "always seeking the "truth". I wanted to have that kind of connection with my career. That life and work should be extraordinary and joyful was very much instilled in me.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q2 : How did your acting career and then your Hollywood career begin ?
TOHORU: Shortly after college, I moved to San Francisco. A close female friend (who eventually became one of the great loves of my life - we're no longer together - but that's another conversation) happened to start working as a receptionist at a talent/modeling agency and we would often joke of my entering the business. I eventually thought, "Why not?", and started doing commercials, industrial films and theatre, while studying acting and classical Japanese theatre. I then studied Shakespeare in London, and did lots more theatre. My first movie gig was as a one of the neighbors kids in PACIFIC HEIGHTS. I moved to Los Angeles in 1994 and after booking several commercials, I finally started booking gigs on shows like MAD ABOUT YOU.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q3 : Before "Heroes", you appeared in several other TV shows like "The Practice", "Providence", "Chicago Hope", "Without a Trace", "24"... What's the role you enjoyed the most?
TOHORU:I am currently filming an episode on the new ABC show, BIG SHOTS, in a really fun role as a guy who has his hands full as a personal manager of a high-maintenance top fashion model from Tokyo. On 24, it was nice to work again with director/producer, Jon Cassar. I only had a small part as a CTU Agent in this episode of 24, but I had an wonderful experience working with Jon many years earlier ( I played HIRO FUROKAWA, a Japanese astronaut) on a few episodes of THE CAPE. He's such a great guy and it was fun to work with him after he had become so successful. If nothing else, it was nice to re-connect and be able to congratulate him in person.
My MOST fulfilling role as an actor artistically speaking has been as OZU, a lead role in the upcoming SciFi Channel movie WARBIRDS with Brian Krause, which comes out in January '08, and there were a few great lead roles on stage in plays at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and Williamstown Theatre Festival with Tony award-winning directors, Mary Zimmerman and Dan Sullivan, and playwright, A.R.Gurney. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q4 : When were you casted for "Heroes" and how did this happen ?
TOHORU: I went though the usual process of going into the casting directors office in early '06 for a reading. They recorded me on video and I was hired off what I did on the tape. My agent, Joel Kleinman, called me and said "You got the job!" as he likes to say. I was thrilled because I had taken the chance of going pretty out there (almost Shakespearean or Noh theatre-like) for my audition. I guess it paid off.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q5 : When you shot your scene for the Pilot, how was the atmosphere on the set ? Did you believe at this moment the show would be a big hit and have the huge success it has around the world ?
TOHORU: There was definitely a sense of promise in the air. It was clear that the writing was outstanding, mind-blowing really, and NBC was very much behind the show. Of course, nobody can ever anticipate the kind of huge success the show has ended up having (unless you have a power!) The strong sense of confidence from the recent success was quite palpable this last time I was on set.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q6: How were you informed you'd appear in an other episode of "Heroes" in season 2 ? How did you react?
TOHORU: I had been having a tremendous summer. I had been working on a couple of movies. I was working on my second movie, BABY-O in Las Vegas, and my agent called me while I was in between shots. The news made me feel very thankful. Also I was thrilled to learn that my scene would be with James Lee Kyson, who has become a friend since we met on the pilot (see Q8)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q7 : For your scene in "Kindred" broadcasted yesterday on NBC, you speak in Japanese with James Kyson Lee. Are you speaking Japanese fluently or did you receive a special training ?
TOHORU: Both of my parents are originally from Japan, and most of my extended family lives there as well, so I am fairly bilingual. However, I work with a close native Japanese friend of mine (plus there is a full-time Japanese coach on the set) to sound as authentic as possible. That being said, my vocal quality was somewhat stylized for dramatic/comedic effect in this last episode.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q8 : How is it working with James Kyson Lee ? Was it different since you first worked with him in the Pilot?
TOHORU: As I mentioned earlier James and I have actually become friends. We do improv comedy together, as well as practice on scripts. He's truly a great guy, and is one of those people who is a class act in the way he is handling his recent success, so I was particularly pleased when I heard I was going to work with him this round. I called him as soon as I heard. Because of this, it was completely comfortable working with him, and we had fun hanging out afterwards.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q9 : What's your best memory so far during the shooting of the show ?
TOHORU: My best memories really were just watching these incredible directors and their crews work together. They keep moving forward at this fantastic pace, staying right on schedule (very unusual on a set!) while keeping the vibe very positive and fun. It was so nice to reconnect with a few of the crew who remembered me from the pilot..Right afterwards, I happened upon this place on the set where they were serving was some amazing ice cream sundaes buffet-style. That was cool.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q10 : Do you know if we'll have the chance to see you again in an upcoming episode ?
TOHORU: I haven't heard, but now that I actually have a name in the script (as opposed to just "Boss"), I am hoping that is a good sign. Who knows, maybe they have something in store for me. I'm guessing the next time they need someone to scold Hiro or Ando into getting back to work, they'll give me a call. It would be very nice to be back.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q11 : Now some questions you can't pass : If you could have a power, what would it be ? What's your favorite character on the show?
TOHORU: Well, personally I wouldn't mind having the power to control casting decisions, but as Mr. Egami, I was thinking it would be cool and appropriate if I could selectively suck disorder (entropy) out the of universe. On the physical level that means I could reverse an avalanche or spontaneously clean an office cubicle, all without reversing time..or maybe even refocus someones thoughts even if they were drunk, crazy, or otherwise out of their mind...BUT I could only invoke this power when the event or person made me really, really angry. I could be the ultimate buzz-killer.
As far as favorite characters go, I really liked the kid, Sangog Iyer, who entered people's dreams. I also liked Isaac Mendez. Not sure who is my favorite right now (I'll have say Ando then!). I must confess I love Mohinder's philosphical ramblings that bookend each show.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q12 : Would you like to add something ?
TOHORU: Go HEROES!! Go BOSTON RED SOX!!