Keiko Toda | A Playback of a Tumultuous Spring, Beginning with 'Shin Omiya-san'!

Keiko Toda | From 'Shin Omiya' to a Whirlwind Spring!

A Look Back at a Whirlwind Spring, Kicking Off with 'Shin Omiya'!

Between filming dramas and regular TV shows, she embarked on casual live performances across three cities. Here’s a look back at the first half of the year, a whirlwind of a "super intense, crazy schedule"!

Text by KEIKO TODA

“I lost track of where I was living (laughs)”

In early March, filming began for TV Asahi's 'Shin Omiya' in Kyoto's Uzumasa district, where I joined as Midori, the newly appointed head of the criminal division at the Kamogawa Higashi Police Station. I'd filmed standalone dramas in Kyoto many times before, but this was my first regular role there. While Kyoto is a city I love, the travel distance for work was truly regrettable (laughs). I must have made countless round trips...

March in Kyoto was still cold, and the studios had no heating. The staff were all in down jackets and parkas. In that chill, I struggled with early morning scenes that required long, rapid-fire lines. So, I bought a thermos and kept warm drinks handy to keep my mouth supple.

Speaking of early mornings, this crew's day started incredibly early. For instance, if filming began at 9 AM, all staff were ready by 8:30 AM! Even lead actor Tsunehiko Watase would arrive by then, meaning I had to be there even earlier. Yet, the 'Shin Omiya' studio was the furthest from the building where makeup and costumes were done, so I always had to start preparations by 7 AM at the latest. Then, depending on the weather, there were many anxious moments deciding whether to travel to Kyoto or not.

If I had stayed in Kyoto, it would have been no problem at all, but commuting from Tokyo was tough. During the regular filming period, I was also shooting the TBS special drama 'Blackboard,' so I was on the Shinkansen so much I lost track of where I was living (laughs).

Look forward to the two-hour drama 'Detective Gasahime'!

The filming itself proceeded with remarkable efficiency and speed, with almost no waiting time. There was a palpable atmosphere where you absolutely couldn't afford to flub lines. Casual conversation was out of the question. The pressure of joining the cast of an already popular series mid-way was immense, and it was a constant state of tension. Filming wrapped up in about two months of intensive shooting, but I never quite shook the feeling of being the new transfer student... I barely had a chance to chat with Kotomi Kyono, who also joined as a new regular from 'Shomuni' (laughs).

I had a long list of places I wanted to visit in Kyoto while I was there, like the newly opened aquarium and various shrines. But there was absolutely no time for such things... Just as I had resigned myself to missing out, I miraculously got a day off on my final trip to Kyoto! I dashed around, visiting the Chashahime Shrine (dedicated to the god of performing arts), the Tamano-koshi Shrine, a long-desired soba restaurant, and even stopped by friends' shops. I truly savored Kyoto in a flash. Honestly, I realized Kyoto is a place to visit for leisure. I thought that very clearly.

When the broadcast began, Midori's character received unexpectedly positive feedback, and I breathed a sigh of relief. However, watching the episodes, I found myself constantly reflecting, wishing I had done this or that differently. During the filming of 'Shin Omiya,' I also had live performances in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo. I somehow managed to get through that "super intense, crazy schedule." All of this was thanks to everyone. I truly felt that doing the live shows was worthwhile. Singing possesses a truly mysterious power. It's something I can't do without. Each time, I reaffirm how much I love to sing.

And 'Shiawase no Kiiroi Koinu' on Chukyo TV has entered its fourth year. In April, it moved to a 90-minute slot from 9:55 AM on Sundays and was revamped. It's going stronger than ever! And, and, filming for the new two-hour drama 'Detective Gasahime' has also successfully concluded. I play Yoko Himeno, a new type of detective specializing in raid operations. Please look forward to it!