I found this on the archived drama website.

I have a preconceived notion that Narimiya-kun isn’t usually the kind of person with the fun energy as Udayan, right?

That’s right, I’m a boring guy myself (laughs). When I’m playing Udayan, and I need to get excited early in the morning, I listen to trance music in the car. I get into Udayan mode with the help of music and a lot of other things.

When you’re in Udayan mode, do you immediately relax after each cut?

When I’m on set, my energy level stays constant as Udayan. When filming finishes for the day and I close the car door on the way home, I feel like I’m full of energy. But I’m sure there are probably a lot of people who want to be in this drama, so I feel lucky to have been able to take part as Udayan.

Why do you think Tsutsumi-san cast Narimiya-kun in the role of Udayan?

I wonder why? I have no idea (laughs).しい。 I think the director knows the real me…

At first, he gave me detailed advice about how to prepare for the role, and we had a session. But I think every actor wants to do something interesting, and even though I haven’t played a role like Udayan until now, I’ve played a lot of strong characters, so playing Udayan is fun.

Also, I’m simply honored to be able to work with Tsutsumi-san again since “Drowning Fish.” I’ve especially wanted to appear in a Tsutsumi-san drama, so I’m really happy that my wish has come true.

Udayan does a lot of strange things, but at the same time, he’s a good kid, and he has a sensitive side, which is great.

Yes, having those sides helps me adjust my emotions with each episode. Even when I get anxious about whether it’s okay to act so silly, the director always makes sure there’s a place to express the quiet change of heart that occurs when you have a falling out with a friend, so I never go overboard, and it gives me the reassurance that it’s okay to act as silly as I want.

Is there anything that made an impression on you when you talked with Tsutsumi-san?

At first, I had an image in mind, but Director Tsutsumi’s actually went far beyond that image. That said, there were also parts where I was very low-energy, and I lost track of it while I was acting. But thinking about it later, I realized that in my everyday life, there are times when I feel incredibly high, to the point of being crazy, and times when I feel so depressed I feel like I might die. I realized that humans don’t have constant emotions. So I thought it’s okay for roles to have those kinds of emotions too. I do think that in some way it’s important to make the character easy to understand in episodes 1, 2, and 3. When I talked about that with the director, it was like we were on the same page. The director said, “It’s boring, isn’t it? Roles that are expressed within a single, enclosed frame.” He’s absolutely right. I thought I totally agreed. Since then, I’ve tried not to set myself within a certain frame.

What about Kato Arata?

Today, when I called Arata “Director,” he said, “Don’t call me Director (laughs).” I tried calling him “Arata,” but it felt kind of embarrassing. Also, when I asked him, “We can make this cut interesting, right?” he started thinking, and after about 10 seconds he said, “God hasn’t descended upon me yet.” It seems like he did a while after that. Whenever he comes up with something interesting, he comes running over from the base. He gives me an idea, says “Okay!” and runs back again.

In episode 2, there was a scene where you play the guitar. Are you good at guitar?

I can’t play. The original scenario I was given was that Udayan can’t actually play the guitar, but he keeps insisting that he can. Everyone around him knows that he can’t, but pretends not to know. I thought it was a really interesting situation, and it was perfect because he couldn’t play the guitar to begin with.

But I had forgotten that Tsutsumi-san is a musician. One day, after filming finished, a staff member told me, “Um, Narimiya, we have guitar practice after this.” I asked, “Huh? I thought I don’t have to be able to play?” and the director said, “Something’s changed.” (laughs) It was the street performance in episode 2. I practiced two days before filming. Then, on the day of filming, I showed up earlier than scheduled and practiced again. Director Tsutsumi, who loves music, watched me in even greater detail than usual. We somehow managed to finish filming safely, but I played so hard that my fingers bled.

It really feels like youth!

I thought this kind of thing might be good, too.

The world of “STAND UP!!” is all about seeming to be joking around, but actually working hard.
Right. The director said that youth is an embarrassing time, but it really touched me.

It’s great to be able to try different things while working as an actor. Especially since I’m able to try so many different things with this drama. Udayan is a character who always takes the lead and charges ahead, but when he looks back, no one is following him, and he’s like, what’s going on? That’s why I think there will be many challenges waiting for him in the future, and I’m feeling excited and nervous.

Now, as a 20-year-old Narimiya-kun, what do you think when you look at the teenage protagonists from a bird’s eye view?

Udayan and the others feel like they’re elementary and middle school students, don’t they?

Were there times when you were like them? Weren’t you always trying to be cool?

No, not at all.

Ever since I was a child, I was always concerned about what others thought rather than what I thought, and I was the kind of kid who never did anything out of the ordinary. So there were times when I suppressed my individuality quite a bit. There were also times when I blended in with the group.

You’re a very thoughtful person, aren’t you?

Because I was always concerned about changes in people’s hearts, I became acutely aware of many things.

But now I think it would be nice if that didn’t happen again. I feel like I’m in the process of letting go of things that have become stuck.

Like trying to become a new person?

Rather than being new, is it more like going back?

Would you rather be like Udayan?

I’d like to be like Udayan. He’s passionate and rough around the edges. In a way, that makes him seem refreshing every time, and I think he’s kind of cute.

He’s a bit of a fool, but he’s the kind of person that can’t help it and pulls you along by the hand.

Do you think an Udayan like that could get a girlfriend?

I wonder. It would be great if my cute Udayan got a girlfriend, though.

Will everyone be happy?
I don’t think so.

I don’t think Kaneko Arisa is that kind (laughs). I think at least one of them will end up alone. That kind of role sounds a bit like Udayan, doesnt it!?

Hahaha. Finally, please give a message to those who are following the official website

I think this is a really hot drama this summer. I think it’s uplifting and interesting. Not only is it entertaining, but it also makes you think. Sexual content can be embarrassing, but this drama completely shatters the common sense of today’s society.

I’m also dedicating this summer to “STAND UP!!”, so I’d be in trouble if everyone didn’t watch it. Please do!