[Shin Densetsu]

Speaking of Kamen Rider Fourze.....The Daily Yomiuri has interviewed Sota Fukushi, who plays Gentaro Kisaragi AKA Kamen Rider Fourze himself! It turns out a talent agency discovered Fukushi through his photos in a hair magazine. If that wasn't a surprise, it also turns out that prior to auditioning, Fukushi had never watched a Kamen Rider show before!

Nonetheless, he was still able to impress producer Hideaki Tsukuda:

Quote:

Hideaki Tsukada, a producer at Toei Co., the company behind the TV show and film, was present at the audition. "Fukushi isn't a calculating person when it comes to his appearance. His manner of expressing himself directly was very attractive. His brilliant smile fit my image of Kisaragi," Tsukada said.

Though Fukushi had never watched Kamen Rider series before, it turns out, his parents did!

Quote:

When Fukushi told his parents about passing the audition, they were even happier than he expected. His mother said, "I can strike the [original] Kamen Rider pose," and then did so. Kamen Rider was the first installment of the series, airing in 1971. Fukushi's father, a Kamen Rider fan, was thrilled, saying, "This is really excellent."

His parents' reactions reminded Fukushi that Kamen Rider is a popular series that has lasted more than 40 years.

"It was a privilege to become a character my parents have followed. I vowed to portray a Rider who can encourage all viewers," he said.

The article also mentions that Fukushi cannot seriously get angry while performing, which admittedly troubles him a little. With Kamen Rider Fourze wrapping up soon, what do you think of Fukushi, did he live up to his 1st role as a Kamen Rider well?