HIDETOSHI IMURA

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1796046/

 

 

Hidetoshi Imura is an effervescent Japanese American Actor, Writer and Producer who is loved and globally known for his portrayal as ‘Hidetoshi Hasagawa’ in the series, ‘The Office,’ the American representation of the Ricky Gervais British phenomena. As a Japanese actor in Hollywood, Hidetoshi is determined to re-write the script that has been unwittingly thrust upon him as a marginalised and underrepresented Japanese actor living and working in Los Angeles. Hidetoshi has been making his own new brand of comedy in Bear Tours, and we at Pizazz News were so excited to discover that he is coming back as that kooky character ‘Hide’, for another new series in 2017-2018.

 

 

Welcome to Pizazz News Hidetoshi, it is a pleasure to finally meet a grown man who likes cute and funky iPhone covers that would give any 13 year old ‘Hello Kitty’ fan a run for their money. You clearly are someone confident in your masculinity, I like that.

 

Q
Are you, Hidetoshi Imura, actually a lot like ‘Hide’ from Bear Tours in real life (IRL) or, is his character entirely different to you?

A
You are very right! I am as clumsy and poor at speaking English as ‘Hide’ from Bear Tours in real life. I make mistakes and misunderstand things sometimes, but I always try my best to make people happy.

Q
Bear Tours has been described by Awbrey Madison, who plays Alice in Bear Tours, as follows:

“Bear Tours is about a Japanese businessman named Hide (played by Hidetoshi Imura, who you may recognize from his recurring role on the award winning show, “The Office“) who is transferred to an American branch of a travel agency called Bear Tours, and his wacky day to day shenanigans. It’s a lot of fun playing the straight-laced, kind of uptight coworker Alice, who is usually the foil to Hide’s mishaps and language foibles.”

I read an interview you gave for Kenichi Iwabuchi in Japan Connection, and you had a crystal clear vision for Hide which was to take on a lead role as he is; someone of Asian racial heritage with little understanding of the English spoken language. I think Jackie Chan, although he is from Hong Kong, did this intercultural mix successfully well with marked differences. Can you tell us what those differences between his roles and yours are?

 

A
Jackie Chan is a great actor and I respect him very much. I think our main differences are that he is in a lot of action roles and knows martial arts. On the other hand I am very inept at martial arts and a lot of other things, but I think that is what defines my role. A clumsy and sometimes oblivious man trying his best to work at his job.

Q
Is there any part of Hide’s character in Bear Tours where he actually knows more English that he reveals?

A
Nope. There are parts where Hide seems to understand English, but a lot of the times he just pretends to understand.

Q
I’ve heard Hide say, ‘I love you Alice,’ on the phone numerous times. Is this a declaration of love or is it what he thinks an ‘American’ says on the phone when ending a call?

A
I would say it is half and half.

Q
When is the next rehearsal/filming scheduled for Bear Tours?

A
We have decided to film on November 18th 2017, but we are still making changes to the script.

Q
How is the Japanese audience taking to Bear Tours?

A
I receive a lot of encouraging messages from the audience in Japan. One particular Japanese tour guide even told me he gained the courage to talk to foreign guests in English, and take them on a tour, even though he is not great at English!

Q
What do you think of women in comedy? I like that in Bear Tours you encourage this.

A
I think it is very good and I plan to put more women out there in comedy.

Q
In your interview with Kenichi Iwabuchi, you said that the next ideal role you wanted was to be cast as a Japanese Yakuza. Has this happened for you yet?

A
I have been cast as a Japanese Yakuza several times, but I still strive to be in a big budget film with a big Yakuza role eventually.

Q
What was the audition for ‘The Office’ like?

A
When I first went to audition for ‘The Office’, I thought I failed pretty badly and I became really sad. When I got the call back, I was very surprised and happy that I got the role.

Q
Steve Carell, what was he like to work with? Was he improvising at all or was he sticking to the script?

A
Steve Carell was very serious about his job and he worked very hard, so I respect him very much. I am also pretty sure he had some improvisation in there as well.

 

Q
You played Hidetoshi in 8 episodes of The Office that’s not bad at all! What were some scenes you enjoyed playing the most?

A
My favorite scene is probably from season 6 of ‘The Office’ called the Happy Hour. I was actually supposed to appear in more episodes, but unfortunately I was cut from the script at the last minute multiple times. I learned that the world is not easy at all.

 

 

The Office (AMERICAN VERSION)

S06 Episode 21 Happy Hour. ‘The history of Hide, the Japanese Warehouse Employee.’

HIDETOSHI IMURU and CRAIG ROBINSON

 

Q
Craig Robinson and you had some scenes together in The Office, he is a fabulous comedic actor, how did you not crack up in fits of giggles around him?

A
I got along with him the most when working on ‘The Office’. I remember listening to and understanding his ideas very clearly even though I am not great at English. I always thought he was a spectacular person overall.

Q
Who do you think is funny, in any part of the globe?

A
This is very difficult, but if I had to choose I would choose three people. Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, and Jackie Chan. I love to watch all of them.

Q
Have you ever acted or met with Takeshi Kitano (‘Beat’ Takeshi)?

A
I have never met or worked with him, but I definitely want to work with him one day eventually.

Q
You are in Carravagio and My Mother The Pope, you play Dr Kato, what is this film about?

A
I actually don’t know much about the film. Haha. I do however know that it is an indie film.

Q
You are currently working on a film Bond of Justice it is described by IMDb as follows;
“A rookie detective’s friend is brutally murdered by the Japanese Mafia, she must revenge for her and bring justice to the world, as an assassin.”

Is your role in it as a Yakuza? Have you enjoyed it?

A
Surprisingly, my role in this film is not a Yakuza.

Q
I need to know this, have you ever had Fugu or San-nakji? Is it tricky to eat live octopus?

A
I loved eating Fugu when I was in Japan, but ever since I came to America I haven’t had the chance to eat it.

Q
What is next for you?

A
I want to work with George Clooney on a big budget project that involves the Yakuza and the Mafia in the film.

Thank-you so much for joining me on Pizazz News Hidetoshi, it’s been such a pleasure interviewing you and I look forward to seeing you in Bear Tours this Christmas!