Tatsuya Fujiwara hits the jackpot in Singapore

Tatsuya Fujiwara, star of Kaiji 2: The Ultimate Gambler, calls the film pure entertainment.

Bringing 200 Japanese fans to Singapore for his visit from Thursday to Sunday last week, Tatsuya promoted his latest movie through various events — including an exclusive out-of-Japan Asian gala premiere at the Cathay.

Gracing the red carpet and meeting local fans, Tatsuya shared details of the big-screen adaption of Fukumoto Nobuyuki's popular manga. Resuming his role as Kaiji Ito in the sequel, Tatsuya's character again wagers his life against the rich and powerful in a bid to win 200 million yen in two weeks.

The Japanese actor believes Kaiji's gambling and high stakes theme is exciting and entertaining to worldwide audiences. In the film, Kaiji tests his wits in death-defying games like a monster Pachinko machine which dispenses a jackpot one billion yen (S$16.8 million).

Popularly known as Death Note's Light Yagami, Tatsuya has done many manga works but says this film is special and different from the manga.

He says, "The Princess vs Slave game is not in the manga. Nobuyuki specially created it for this movie."

Another novelty was his acting with a lion, but Tatsuya's fear was not about being eaten.

"The lion was a metre away. I am allergic to cats and had rashes on my face while shooting," he said.

Tatsuya also worked with a fresh villain played by model and actor Yusuke Iseya. After their first collaboration, Tatsuya wanted more opportunities with Iseya as the latter appeals to international audiences.

Although full of praise for the movie and his co-stars, Tatsuya is self-effacing about his own character. According to Tatsuya, his screen alter ego is "a terrible guy in many ways".

However, he qualifies that he admires Kaiji's determination to improve himself.

So how much of the on-screen Kaiji is in Tatsuya?

He shares that like Kaiji whose friends rely on him to save them, as lead actor he also carries a big burden of responsibility. "For the few months of production, I was carrying a heavier responsibility than others and this is something I apply to my private life, too," he said.

Indeed, his steadfastness and professionalism was reflected in his having endured the lion scene despite allergies. "I was more concerned about production," he explains.

Kaiji is a risk-taker and this Tokyo native feels he too took his life's biggest risk by joining the entertainment business. In addition, he reckons there will never be another chance for him if he fails in Japan's tough media environment.

Without revealing too much, Kaiji gets tricked repeatedly in the film. However, Tatsuya has no such problems off-screen, though he says if any trickery were to happen he'd rather get cheated than cheat people.

And is he a reel and real-life gambler? Unlikely. Although he has "visited China and Korea casinos" and even tried horse-racing, this actor wins by getting plump roles.

In his 13-year career, Tatsuya has also done TV and plays. But he favours the silver screen despite difficulties.

Noting that films have a wider reach, he says, "Every movie production is challenging. On stage, I use my inner energy to portray each character but movies allow people out of Japan to understand what the film is about."

Having devoted himself to his trade at an age when his counterparts were going to school, this 29-year-old calls this a worthwhile sacrifice as acting gives him priceless experiences only possible because he chose this path.

And he shares some advice for actors aspiring for "this artistic world".

"I believe in paying close attention to what happens around myself to reach my potential in acting. One should also find what you do not have by studying other films and attending stage plays," he says.

Judging from screaming throngs of Japanese and locals across all ages at his fan meet and gala premiere, it is a good bet that Tatsuya's latest film will win him more admirers here.

Thanking the supportive crowds, this prolific actor wished he could have more free time and win big at Singapore's casinos.

Pitching for Kaiji 2's debut on 17th November 2011 as his farewell, Tatsuya says, "Hope you enjoy the movie."