I knew of the game, but honestly speaking, I am embarrassed to say that I was not aware that it's been around for 10 years already.
As I started working on Ikémen Sengoku, I sincerely felt how amazing it is for a project to last 10 long years!
Ten years ago, I didn't even have the dream of becoming a voice actor yet, so I am ever more grateful to be involved in such a long-standing project.

My first impression was, "Wow, this guy's incredibly honest!" (Laughs) For better or worse, I think everyone has a slightly off-kilter side, but Rikyu is very obviously outside of social norms. However, he can't lie for his life, and just expresses himself with pure honesty.
On the ethics and morality side, he seems a bit twisted, but fundamentally a straightforward person.
Regarding his charm point, it struck me the most on how direct and honest he speaks to the protagonist. Despite his image as a smooth talker or even a con artist, his words are genuine.
It made me think, "He really can't tell lies." (laughs)
He's the type of person you can't really hate. People who dislike him drift away, but those who stay stick with him for the long run. I think he's the type who builds those kinds of relationships naturally.
Personally, I like honest people, so saying "I like him" might be a little misleading, but I'm only being honest. (laughs)

Rikyu is the type who speaks his mind directly, but also has a singsong tone that adds a flowing manner to his speech.
I was conscious of how he seems to choose his words carefully and wiseful before he speaks.
In scenes where he purposefully adds some tension or delivers memorable lines, I sensed his determination to make a point so I deliberately exaggerated my delivery of those moments.
Rather than being conscious of playing the role of Rikyu, I approached it as Rikyu portraying himself.
Lastly, I focused on not overthinking, but letting the words flow naturally.
I think I approached my portrayal by thinking how great it would be if I could transform my thoughts directly into sound. (laughs)

Going back to what we mentioned earlier, I think everyone approaches love differently.
So I had the mindset of "Oh, there are people like that too."
For Rikyu, the way he loves can be a bit extreme and outside social norms, but I think it's significant that he found people and places that accept him.
For instance, it felt like he was being his most natural self when he met the protagonist, or with Saizo and the others in his force.
I observed him with a parental instinct thinking how wonderful that he finally found a place to belong, and that he's fitting in just fine.
As for common ground, I think it's normal for everyone to put on a facade to some degree in society, and also normal to have hidden sides of yourself.
So, not just me personally, but I think we all have that in common with him.
Also, when Rikyu finally finds a place or someone who accepts him, he is the type to show his affections in the most straightforward way.
While the direction might be slightly different, I'm also the type who wants to cherish a space where I belong, so maybe we have that in common.

I think every era seems fun, but personally I most want to travel to the Jurassic period. (laughs)
Just because we don't have a lot of information about that time period.
Since much of our impressions about dinosaurs are based on imagination, I want to discover it with my very own eyes.
It might be dangerous, but I'd still like to experience it. (laughs)

I would like to say again that I am extremely honored to be a part of this long-standing project.
Also, I was a bit nervous being involved with a project that's been loved for so many years.
I'd be delighted if you could accept Sen no Rikyu even a little...even though he's the type you'd better stay away from if he existed in reality. (laughs)
But because of that, I think there's a lot of charm and allure you can only experience within fiction. So if you like Rikyu, I'd be glad if you can love him in the world of Ikémen Sengoku!