Actor Muro Tsuyoshi, known for his supporting roles in numerous films and dramas, has built a career as a distinctive character actor with roots in theater. This year has been filled with highlights, including the blockbuster film "Kyo kara Ore wa!! The Movie" and his first leading role in a TV drama, "Oya-Baka Seishun Hakusho." To cap off this eventful year, MEDICOM TOY is releasing a special item.

Looking at the BE@RBRICK born from his morning Instagram live stream, "8:16 AM! Coffee with a Yunomi," Muro-san remarks with deep emotion, "Making my own BE@RBRICK has been a long-held dream." In fact, Muro Tsuyoshi was once affiliated with MEDICOM TOY as an actor.

To commemorate the release, we spoke with him about his little-known relationship with MEDICOM TOY, his Instagram live stream "8:16 AM! Coffee with a Yunomi," and the "Muro Tsuyoshi Show" produced by the Asynchronous Tech Club, which originated from the live stream.

“In my twenties, I was a freelance actor without representation from an agency or a major theater company. Back then, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make a living, and I was consumed by the desire—though it sounds rather uncool—to 'make it.' Director Katsuhiro Motohiro, who saw my performances a few times, recognized that ambition and gave me a role in a film when I was 27.”

Muro gained recognition for his roles as Daigo Ishimatsu in the sci-fi youth comedy "Summer Time Machine Blues" (2005), an adaptation of a popular stage play by Europe Kikaku, and as Daisuke Kurahashi in "The Negotiator Masashi Magoshita" (2005), a spin-off film from the "Bayside Shakedown" series. He subsequently became a regular fixture in Director Motohiro's films, including "UDON" (2006).

“Three years after meeting Director Motohiro, when I turned 30, I decided to look for an agency to take another step forward as an actor. When I consulted him, he introduced me to Izumi Suga, the Vice President of MEDICOM TOY, a company that had released many related products. Fortunately, Ms. Suga readily agreed that very day, and I officially became affiliated with MEDICOM TOY.”

Ms. Suga, who had highly recognized actor Muro Tsuyoshi's potential after seeing his work, agreed to the contract on the condition that MEDICOM TOY would only handle management, while Muro would continue his own business activities as before.

“At first, I was nervous every time I went to the office. They had so many products, not just related to films, but also collaborations with brands and artists; I felt I didn't belong there. I still remember Ms. Suga saying, ‘It would be nice if we could make a toy of you someday.’ My dream was to become someone valuable enough to have a product made.”
Although my time at MEDICOM TOY was only two years, Ms. Suga taught me a great deal about basic etiquette and professional conduct. Financially, her words were invaluable: ‘Quit your part-time job. I guarantee you can make a living. In return, use your time to focus on acting.’”

However, Muro eventually began to feel apologetic about his inability to achieve satisfactory results despite his strenuous efforts.

“Ultimately, I couldn't repay the salary I received through my work during those two years. So, I concluded that I couldn't just rely on them and needed to put myself under pressure again by returning to freelance work. Fortunately, Kitaro, who was in the City Boys troupe I had worked with, said, ‘In that case, why don't you come to us (at ASH&D Corporation, where I am now affiliated)?’ This allowed me to transfer smoothly without a period of freelancing.
It took another five years to become financially stable. I was confident I could have achieved results sooner, but by persevering with acting, I had the opportunity to meet Director Yuichi Fukuda and gradually increased my roles. Each time, Ms. Suga would contact me, saying, ‘I saw it. Keep up the good work.’ Our relationship has remained unchanged, leading us to where we are today.”

On April 7th (Tuesday) of this year, the day after the state of emergency was declared, Muro began an Instagram live stream from his home, thinking, “Rather than doing nothing at home, I should do what I can right now.” Many viewers must have been curious about the coffee-colored BE@RBRICK that appeared at the beginning of each broadcast.

“A few days after starting, Ms. Suga contacted me, saying, ‘The opening logo is so cute, I’ll make a BE@RBRICK that can be an icon and send it to you.’ I was so surprised and asked, ‘Really!?’ We decided a simple design would be best, so she had it designed with just the title logo and a ‘W.’”
The title logo was created by a designer I work with for my stage plays, based on an homage to "8 Ji Da Yo! Zen'in Shugo." The 'W' is from the cap of the Yokohama Taiyo Whales (now Yokohama DeNA BayStars), a team I'm a huge fan of. This is my first-ever BE@RBRICK, something I've always wished for, and I keep it in the most prominent spot in my kitchen, along with the new release. It's gotten scuffed from being handled so much, but that adds to its charm.”

Incidentally, the "8:16 AM" in the title refers to the time after the NHK morning drama (broadcast from 8:00 to 8:15 AM), in which Muro also appeared in "Gochisousan."

“At first, I thought of starting at 8:08 AM because it’s easy to remember, but I didn’t want to overlap with the time slot of the morning drama, which my actor friends and staff were working hard on, so I decided on 8:16 AM. Starting the Instagram live stream has made me completely a morning person. Without it, I wouldn’t have had time to talk about myself every day. As for the content, I repeatedly emphasized that ‘there’s nothing substantial’ to lower viewers' expectations and create an escape route (laughs).”

Even after the state of emergency was lifted, the Instagram live stream continued for about two months until June 6th (Muro Day), featuring collaborations with distinguished guests such as Shun Oguri, Yuriko Ishida, Nakamura Tomoya, Eiji Wentz, Sairi Ito, and Takumi Goto (4000 Shusai). Many comments were received from across the country, stating that the broadcast provided encouragement during a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Activities stemming from this Instagram live stream include the "Muro Tsuyoshi Show" (streamed May 5th and May 31st) by the video production unit Asynchronous Tech Club, formed with Daito Manabe of Rhizomatiks and Makoto Ueda, the head of the theater company "Europe Kikaku." The omnibus film "DEEP MURO" (an episode in the omnibus film "Kinkyuji Jittai Sengen") also garnered attention.

“Manabe is a university classmate. He was in the math department, but I dropped out after only three weeks to become an actor, though we were together the whole time. He was the first to call me ‘Muro-san,’ and it left such an impression that I decided to use Muro Tsuyoshi as my stage name. Manabe and I had talked about doing something together someday, but we were both so busy that years passed without our schedules aligning. Then, during the state of emergency, we both found ourselves with free time. We decided that Manabe would create the system, I would perform, and we needed a script. So, I contacted Ueda-san, who I’ve worked with for many years. Ueda-san’s stage plays and Europe Kikaku’s performances had also been canceled, and he was already a fan of Manabe’s work, so he immediately said, ‘Let’s do a live stream on Muro-san’s Instagram!’”

Manabe often said, ‘We shouldn’t be creating things with deep meaning right now. Let’s just make something funny that people will be glad they watched.’ I was delighted that everyone who watched seemed very surprised. I remember thinking, ‘I’ve never felt this much tension in my own home.’ When I followed all of Manabe’s instructions, my house was increasingly being ‘hacked.’ Programs were installed, and the TV and phone would turn on and off by themselves, making me say, ‘Stop it!’ (laughs). We’re still quietly working on Asynchronous Tech Club, thinking we might do something different in the future.”

Looking ahead, Muro has several projects lined up, including the film "Shinshaku Sangokushi" (directed by Yuichi Fukuda, scheduled for release on December 11th), where he plays Zhuge Liang, and "Kawa-ppe-ri Mukoritta" (directed by Naoko Ogigami, scheduled for release in 2021), co-starring Kenichi Matsuyama. Furthermore, a new installment of his stage series "muro式," which he directs and stars in, is set for spring 2021. Despite his continued busy schedule, his long-desired BE@RBRICK is sure to provide him with comfort and energy.
Finally, standing before the colorful "0816" model with water-print lettering and the 100% (approx. 70mm tall) version of the BE@RBRICK that appeared on the Instagram live stream, he shared his aspirations for the coming year.

“Ms. Suga and I are talking about creating something else next year, so please look forward to it. 2020 was largely a year of frustration. We had to postpone or cancel planned events, so I was filled with the desire to turn that frustration into something tangible. In that sense, I feel I gained a lot of experience. So, in 2021, I want to take time to reflect on myself, rather than just being busy... I say the same thing every year, but I always end up getting caught up in things (laughs). Regardless, I want to overcome my fear of resting and make time for myself to increase my input.”

BE@RBRICK 8:16 AM! Coffee with a Yunomi 100% & 400% | 1000%

Size | Approx. 70mm (100%) | 280mm (400%) | 700mm (1000%)
Price | [100% & 400%] ¥12,000 (excl. tax) | [1000%] ¥45,000 (excl. tax)
Sales Method | Available at "MEDICOM TOY EXHIBITION 2020 IN VIRTUAL," held from Saturday, December 5, 2020, to Sunday, January 3, 2021.https://mctex20.medicomtoy.co.jpSales will be conducted at the venue.

*An "MCT TOKYO" account is required for entry.
*You can also register via the "Create Account" button within the venue URL above.
*Don't forget to pre-register.
*If you already have an "MCT TOKYO" account, you can participate with your existing account.
©️ murotsuyoshi
BE@RBRICK TM & ©️ 2001-2020 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

BE@RBRICK SERIES 41

Size | Approx. 70mm each
Price | ¥450 each (excl. tax)
Release Date | Scheduled for late December 2020
Retailers | MEDICOM TOY direct stores and online stores, among others

*As these are sold in closed boxes, which model you receive is a surprise until opened.
©️ murotsuyoshi
BE@RBRICK TM & ©️ 2001-2020 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION. All rights reserved.