Tokyo-born, camera-loved, and effortlessly cool. Kokoro is part of a new wave of Japanese actresses redefining screen presence with a quiet kind of power. There’s something about her—an ease, a gaze, a tempo—that pulls you in and keeps you there. Whether on set or off-duty, she’s the kind of girl who makes you lean in a little closer. We’re watching her rise, and loving every frame of it.
Rollover : What made you decide to pursue a career in acting? Was there a significant memory/moment in your life that made you have that dream?
Kokoro : I started my acting career when I was still in elementary school, but I got my first big job as a lead role in a movie at the age of 16. For me, acting is like seeing the happier things in life and I want to do things that make me happy in the future. There was a moment when I was 13 or 14 years old, I got an opportunity to be in a Japanese film and I ended up liking it and because of that experience, it made me want to pursue my dream in acting. I get more and more interested in being an actress because of that experience.
Rollover : Having grown in the Japanese film scene, what do you think sets it apart from the rest of the world?
Kokoro : In my own experience, within the Japanese film industry we can choose between two options, and my favorite is natural acting. When it comes to playing a role, I can be more as natural as I am even if I'm playing as characters very different from. Also, in the Japanese film industry we don’t have to take a special program or study in university, because we can study different types of characters from another film and also from another culture. To me, that's interesting.
Rollover : If you could play any iconic character in film history, who would it be?
Kokoro : If i could play any role, it would be Bella Swan or maybe play in Notting Hill.
Rollover : What kind of roles are you most drawn to? Romantic, drama, comedic?
Kokoro : I'm not into romantic roles, I have a more strong personality so I really love to be the joker of the movie like a mean girl or something like that.
Rollover : When it comes to the weekend after a long weekday, do you prefer to have a chill night in or a fun night out with friends?
Kokoro : I love to check into a cozy hotel room and drink a white wine or maybe with a beach view and enjoy the sunset by the window and maybe get a lasagna.. That feels thrilling. I also love to spend my time with my friends but for me it’s important to have some time alone by yourself. It’s kinda hard to find the balance between girls' night or me time alone but I have to make time for those two.
Rollover : What is the best thing about being an actress?
Kokoro : The best thing about being an actress is being able to play multiple roles but still be myself. However they want to change my hair color, hair length, many wardrobe changes, even different preferences and likes of a character. I like the privilege of being able to create the story of a character and still be myself. The director and screenwriter will tell me about the character and I have a year to prepare
Rollover : What is your sun sign?
Kokoro : I’m an Aquarius
Rollover : Who inspired you to be the person you are today?
Kokoro : Charlotte Gainsburg, because she is so independent and I always admire her and I think my favorite girls or women, they all have a strong heart, they understand how others see her, and are confident with who she is. I want to be the person who already knows what they want.
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