Translations done by Oru.
Juri Tanaka, born June 15th, 1995, is a multitalented member of the renowned Japanese boy band SixTONES. His journey in the entertainment industry began in 2008 when he joined his agency, marking the start of a successful career.
Despite his tough-guy appearance, Juri possesses a gentle and reserved nature, displays loveable shyness, and is known for his love for his family. This family love also transfers over to his love for his group, as his endearing attachment to his fellow group members is evident. He cherishes their companionship and remains closely bonded with them. His sweet million-dollar smile makes him an instant favorite once you lay your eyes on him.
Within SixTONES, Juri takes on the important role as the group’s MC, showcasing his adeptness at engaging with audiences and guiding their talk segments into a nice flow—even if their MC segments during concerts always run over time. Additionally, he impresses fans and others alike with his skills as the group’s rapper, demonstrating agility and quick thinking in his delivery.
While Juri’s rapping prowess is prominent, he also exhibits a comfortable vocal range that adds depth and dimension to the group’s musical repertoire. This range resonates with audiences across various musical styles and moods and perfectly balances out his fellow members’ vocals.
For “ACMA:GAME,” Juri has taken on the role of Ui Saito, the childhood friend and rival of the main character Teruaki Oda, played by Shotaro Mamiya. Ui, the son of a major corporation, competes with Teruaki by launching the venture company “u.u. Engineering.” Alongside them is Yuki, portrayed by Kotone Furukawa, a skilled programmer who has been friends with Teruaki since middle school.
When asked about his thoughts on the opportunity to participate in the adaption of the drama, Juri gladly shared his thoughts:
“Even before receiving the offer to appear in the drama, I personally enjoyed reading the original manga of “ACMA:GAME,” so when I received the offer to appear, I was extremely happy and excited for the upcoming filming. Although there is pressure, as an individual cast member, I approach each day of filming with the thought of how I can convey the charm of this work.”
Additionally, he also expressed his fondness for his character and the effort he put into the role:
“Ui is an important character in the original work and one of my favorite characters. While the portrayal of Ui in the drama may differ slightly from the original, he is still a significant figure as Teruaki’s close friend. Therefore, I seriously considered and created the character of Ui Saito for the drama version. I hope that through Ui, viewers will come to love this work even more.”
When asked about what message he’d like to relay to the viewers, Juri conveyed his hopes for the audience’s reception of the drama:
“This production was carefully crafted, with discussions among the cast, director, and staff before and during filming. I would be delighted if more people found the charm in this work and enjoyed it. Please watch it with excitement and anticipation!”
During the broadcast of the final episode of the drama, it was announced that the movie adaption of the drama would be made and released in Japan on October 25th.
Reflecting on the upcoming film adaptation, he also added:
“When I heard that “ACMA:GAME” was going to be made into a movie, I was honestly very happy and felt excitement and joy at the prospect of making one of my favorite works into an even bigger thing together with the incredible team that has been a part of the drama. The filming, some of which took place overseas, was physically demanding; but I was able to get through it with the help of the local staff. I think the fact that we actually filmed overseas makes the film more compelling, as the scale will be further expanded from the drama with the appearance of even more characters from the source material.”
Juri encouraged fans to experience the film, hoping they’ll be able to enjoy it no matter where they are,
“I would be happy if my fans are able to come to see the movie and bring their family and friends to the theater — or share it once available on any overseas streaming platforms like the TV show has been — to feel the thrill of excitement and fall in love with “ACMA:GAME” as much as I have!”
SixTONES not only excels in performing their own original songs, but they also showcase their talent through insert songs like “GONG” for the drama. The captivating and gritty rock tune of the song instantly grabs the listener’s attention, setting the stage for an immersive musical experience.
As the group’s skilled rapper, his impactful and prominent parts add a dynamic layer to the song, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. The seamless fit between the song and his vocal style draws attention to his raw, unique vocal color, allowing him to unleash his skills to the fullest and shine as an integral part of the group’s musical prowess.
Dumpling Box had the exclusive opportunity to ask Juri one question about his role in “ACMA:GAME,” let’s see what he had to say!
“GONG” is an insert song for ACMA:GAME. Which part of the lyrics do you think represents Ui?
In that sense, the lyrics are very aggressive and combative, so there are some parts that stand in contrary to Ui. But Ui is also the type of person who appears calm on the outside and hides his emotions. He has a lot of passion inside, like “I don’t want to lose” and “I’m this kind of person too,” so I think the lyrics express the inner side of Ui Saito vividly.
With his genuine enthusiasm and dedication, Juri Tanaka’s portrayal of Ui Saito promises to bring a new dimension to the beloved manga series, captivating both existing fans and new audiences alike.
As Juri and the incredible cast and crew breathe new life into this beloved story, viewers can look forward to a drama filled with intense rivalries, heartfelt moments, and thrilling twists. The overseas filming and expanded scale further elevate the narrative, making the upcoming movie a must-watch event.
Juri’s heartfelt message to the fans reflects his hope that the drama and film will resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. Whether you’re watching with family and friends in theaters or streaming it from the comfort of your home, “ACMA:GAME” promises to deliver a gripping and unforgettable experience.
So, join Juri Tanaka and the rest of the cast on this exciting journey. Immerse yourself in the world of “ACMA:GAME” and discover why this story has captured the hearts of so many. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, this adaptation is set to become a new favorite. Don’t miss out on the excitement and anticipation—be a part of the adventure that is “ACMA:GAME!“
“ACMA:GAME” takes place in a devil’s world where the challenge is to conquer the world by collecting 99 devil’s keys. Players are forced to participate, and if they lose, they cannot refuse any orders. The protagonist challenges the game risking his life, along with the people who are being manipulated by the devil’s key. They must unravel the mystery hidden in the devil’s key in order to survive. The word “ACMA” is derived from the Japanese world “akuma” which means devil.
“ACMA:GAME” follows the journey of a young man raised by a single father following the tragic loss of his mother. As a young boy, his father entrusted him with an old key called the “devil’s key.” Immediately after receiving the key his father was mysteriously killed right in front of his eyes. Using his father’s wisdom as a guiding light, he sets out to unveil the secret to the devil’s key to uncover what led to his father’s death. Through his pursuit, he learns that if he obtains more than 99 keys his luck will grow, and he could have anything in the world. Thirteen years later, he returns to his home in Japan to avenge his father’s death. Risking his life in the deadly mind game known as “ACMA: GAME,” he confronts his rivals also seeking the devil’s key, discovering that the game is a dangerous battle of life or death.
Watch it on Prime Video here: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/ACMAGAME/0QJ0UW1KCHI5USYH3GSTE3S143
*Worldwide ex India and select additional territories. See local sites for details.
Catch up on SixTONES’ previous digital releases as well as the fun (and very funny) variety videos uploaded weekly to their official channel!
【More SixTONES!】
・Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/sixtones_official/
・TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@sixtones_sme
・Community Profile on Genius.com
https://genius.com/artists/Sixtones
・Twitter (Japanese only)
https://twitter.com/SixTONES_SME
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