"Koshiro Shimada talks about his role as "Sanji" at ONE PIECE on Ice"
It's like something out of an anime. There is a skater who is the talk of the town because of such a reputation. He is Koshiro Shimada (21, Kinoshita Group), who placed second in the All-Japan Championships at the end of last year. He is showing his new talent by playing Sanji in the ice show "One Piece on Ice: Episode of Alabasta," which premiered last month. This is the first show in the history of the popular TV anime series "One Piece". We asked him about his thoughts before the Nagoya performance (September 2-3 at Dolphins Arena).
-How do you feel about the response to the show?
I was scared at first because it is my favorite work and I play my favorite character. After the Yokohama performance, I was deeply relieved and very happy to receive so many good comments.
-What do you mean by "scared"?
I believe that the fans of the original work and the fans of the anime all have different ways of perceiving one character or another. My interpretation of the character and the way I wanted to express the character may not all match, so I tried my best to minimize that error as much as possible.
-How did you go about creating your interpretation?
There is the scene in the first half and the scene in the second half, so I think the cool, dependable, but sweet side to the lady was really featured in the first half. The second half of the scene depicts the root of gentleness within the gentleman, so I thought a lot about how much of that gentleness I could bring out. I had to think about how much I could show that kindness. There were parts where I had to play a man with a temper that you would never imagine from my usual self, so that was very difficult. But I think Sanji had more techniques that matched well with his skating movements, things that I could not express on land but could do on the ice.
-Did you incorporate any gestures of gentleness or any other innovations in your work?
In the opening scene, I tried to create a smooth movement rather than a stiff pose, which is similar to the beauty of figure skating.
I was conscious of such things.
- Isn't it difficult to skate while keeping your pockets in?
Yes, I kept my hands in my pockets so long that I got into the habit of doing it (laughs). (Laughs.) I even put my hands in my pockets at some points. The pockets themselves are not difficult, but the hair. You can't see it. I think the original Sanji probably had a hard time with it. I thought he would be vulnerable to attacks from the left (laughs).
-You really can't see through it.
It's just a faint blur of light. I'm skating with one eye. Sometimes when I can see with both eyes, I think, "Oh no! I think, "Oh no! It was a little difficult, but from a costume standpoint, it was easy to jump and move around, so we added a few jumps. I consulted with Kenji Miyamoto, the choreographer, and Kahori Kanaya, the director, to make decisions.
-Is this the first time for you to create a role to this extent?
It was really my first experience to play a character and to be allowed to play that one role. I had already thought about how I would interpret the music and the story in skating, and what kind of character I would play, but I was pretty vague. I skate programs while looking at the big picture. I have never really tried to get into character, to become the character.
-You read the novels that were the subjects of your programs when you were in junior high school, and you have taken a great approach to interpretation, haven't you?
I guess I had that grounding, or foundation. It was my favorite work and my favorite character, so there was a lot more enthusiasm. I was really shaking during the open rehearsal. I was shaking. We worked that hard and thoroughly prepared for the role, and each one of us was thinking what we would do if we were not accepted, so there was a great atmosphere.
-The gesture of smoking, for example, is not part of the program, is it?
Yes, because smoking is a more distant presence. I started by asking, "How can I do this? Sanji smokes in a very special way. Like covering his face a little. I started from the shape of Sanji's face rather than the way he smokes. At first, I didn't even know how to put it on. Then, Kenji and other skaters said to me, "Wouldn't it be better if you make a gesture to put on the cigarette? So we incorporated that gesture as well.
-The attention to detail is amazing.
If you don't go that far, you might find yourself saying, "That move isn't there," or "I was looking forward to that move. I had to be conscious of really becoming the character.
-I think the costumes are very well done, and the actors are very particular about them.
The costume designer was very particular about it. The makeup artist was also very thorough and faithful to the original work. I was encouraged by the voices of my fellow skaters and supporters. Since the first performance, we have upgraded it little by little. As the performances went on, we became more detail-oriented, and I think the positive cheering has made everyone more excited.
-By the way, in reference to your role as Sanji, what is your favorite dish?
No, I used to answer "menchikatsu" (fried pork cutlets). But recently, it has become too much of a hassle (laughs). It takes too much time. I used to make all kinds of things in Switzerland, and I brought breadcrumbs and other ingredients from Japan. I even made dumplings. I always want something simple, so I am not like Sanji (laughs). But what I've been into lately is chicken ham. I cook it slowly at a low temperature. I put it in a ziplock and add olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, sugar, consommé, and so on. Depending on my mood, I'll add chicken broth. I'll put it all in, changing the flavors as I feel like it, and then I'll put it on medium heat for the first 5 minutes, and then turn off the heat and let it sit for 30 minutes. I can't say I'm a good cook because I'm always looking for the easy way out....
-You are an athlete, aren't you?
Yes, I am conscious of cooking that builds the body. I'll add more dishes to my list of specialties (laughs).
-You also talked about the length of your legs. Have you ever measured your inseam?
I think I have. I don't always pay attention to it, but when I had the hems of my pants adjusted, I think they were 82 or 83 centimeters. My height is 176cm now.
-I also feel that the movement of your legs is so emphasized because of the movement of your upper body in your pockets.
That's right. In the program, I have to be aware of my upper body as well. But I have to perform with words, so even when my hands are in my pockets, I was instructed to act in such a way that the audience can see me from above in the seats. The other thing is the neck. I am very conscious of my neck. I used to have bad posture, and I usually correct my posture consciously, but this time I decided to show it off (laughs). (Laughs) I thought it was necessary to make the body look a bit unflattering from a physical point of view.
"The future of the ice show, the end of a dream."
-There have been cases where people who came to see the show because they like One Piece have discovered Shimada and have become interested in him.
The first thing that surprises people is how fast he skates, how he can jump, and how he can turn. I am more than happy that people are interested in the skating world because of that. That's the goal I've been working for. For example, I have been skating for a long time, aiming to give a good performance that people who have never seen me skate before would think, "I like it. It was the most joyful moment for me. I was most happy to hear people say, "Skating is interesting. I think the range and potential of figure skating was conveyed to some people through the whole "ONE PIECE on Ice" this time. Of course, the most important thing is that "ONE PIECE" fans are happy to see "ONE PIECE" expressed in this way, but if they are interested in Figure Skating beyond that, that's the goal, not "the end of the dream" in Luffy's case. I wanted to play a role that would make people look at figure skating and continue to look at figure skating. I am really happy to hear that.
-As for the breadth of ice shows, there is a difference between Western ice shows such as "Art on Ice" and Japanese show culture. I think Shimada has experienced both.
I have seen "Ice Legend" and "Art on Ice," both of which I was a part of. I think that there are fewer and fewer ice shows these days where each and every skater thoroughly performs his/her role in the story until the very end. I was a little saddened by that, so when I was offered the opportunity to be a part of "One Piece on Ice," I thought, "I've got to do it. When I received the offer, I thought, "I've done it. I had a longing for such shows, and of course, ice shows that focus on my individual performance are necessary, important and good, but "Disney on Ice" and other shows that proceed without destroying the story or the worldview are also appealing. I think that is the direction that skating entertainment will take in the future. I think it is great that we have found such possibilities this time.
When people talk about shows that have remained as a tradition for a long time, "Disney on Ice" is the first show that comes to mind, and "Art on Ice" continues to change its programs, such as "What kind of program will we do this year? I am not a director, so I cannot give you a detailed description of the show, but I think it is valuable to be able to immerse yourself in a show when you see it, and to be able to stay with it for a long time. I have been thinking that Japan should have more of them.
-I think it was a big thing in that sense, too. It was one of the directions you wanted to take.
I love to express myself, so when I thought about what I could do to make the most of that, I was very grateful that such a path opened up for me.
-I feel like the tension between you and Zoro (Keiji Tanaka) is getting stronger with each episode.
Especially during the finale (laughs). Keiji said, "Zoro has no sense of direction, so I'm thinking of leaving from the other side. He even watched how I stopped, so I was like, "I'm going to give it my all."
-I'm very happy that they saw that, so I'm looking forward to it.
Since we are allowed to take video, I think people will be happy if we change it each time. We could try using not only Zoro and Sanji, but also Usopp and Chopper (laughs). (Laughs.) That kind of interaction between the cast members is a lot of fun. I hope that the audience will see it as if we were planning to do something like that. Please look forward to it!
congratulations on the third place!
