Shunta Sono, a member of the dance and vocal group M!LK, has shared his experience portraying a dark hero in the film "Kamen Rider Zets."
Sono's transition from a pop idol to a cinematic antagonist highlights the versatility required of modern entertainers. His role as Soma Kumon, also known as Kamen Rider Mugen, requires a departure from the polished image typically associated with the music industry.
The film premiered on July 24 [1]. In a recent interview, Sono discussed the challenges of developing the character's specific mannerisms, particularly the ability to look menacing. He said, "I hadn't polished skills like glaring at people or expressions like 'I'll take you down' or 'I'm going to do something bad,' so I wondered if I'd be okay."
Despite these initial concerns, Sono found that the process of acting against his usual persona was rewarding. He said the performance ended up being easier than expected, and that he became immersed in the role because it was something he does not typically do in his daily life.
Sono attributed his success in the role to his background in performance. M!LK is a five-member dance and vocal group [2]. He said that because he performs cool and powerful songs during dance routines, those specific expressions likely helped him convey the intensity needed for a dark hero.
Sono said, "I was surprisingly able to do it. There wasn't much resistance within me, and because it's something I don't usually do, it became fun and I got absorbed in it."
“"I hadn't polished skills like glaring at people... so I wondered if I'd be okay."”
Sono's casting in a 'dark hero' role reflects a broader trend in Japanese entertainment where idols leverage their disciplined performance training to transition into diverse acting roles. By bridging the gap between the curated idol image and the gritty requirements of the Kamen Rider franchise, Sono demonstrates how rhythmic and physical expression in dance can be translated into cinematic character work.
