Fumika Baba interview article in “Kamen Rider Drive Character Book: Volume 2 Tomodachi” (English translation)

I decided to pass away with a smile at the very end

One of my strongest memories is from shooting episode 11 of Kamen Rider Drive. It was my first time appearing on the show, and I didn’t fully get how to portray my character. Because of that, I thought there’s no way I can do this…and I didn’t have a lot of experience as an actress to rely on either. Even though I’m confessing it now, it was really painful for me back then. It’s only recently that I’ve felt more confident in my role. It wasn’t until around episode 37 and episode 38 that I started to really get comfortable portraying Medic. She was a mystery to me up until then.

In Episode 38, Medic shows her true emotions for the first time. After Heart’s ultra-evolution, she drops to the ground crying and beating the ground, because some of her fellow Roidmudes have been destroyed. That was the first time I felt like I was able to open myself up to Medic as a character. I started to seriously thinking about Medic’s character, and I think that helped me to portray her better than I had in the past. Even though Brain becomes stronger throughout the series, he never understands Medic despite her motives being clear.

After that, I felt more comfortable and familiar with Medic. It became a lot of fun to integrate her character and essence into my life. The cast and the staff had a lot of conversations with me about my portrayal of the character and my acting ability. After I gained more confidence, I was able to better relate to my colleagues and communicate with them better. My manager even noticed and said, “You’ve really changed haven’t you?” It was around then (June 21st) that I turned 20 years old and hit a milestone in my personal life. I got to a really good place. I only wish I had taken the opportunity to blossom like that sooner…that’s what I think. (Bitter smile)

Understanding my role with an extended field of vision

Rio Uchida interview article in “Kamen Rider Drive Character Book: Volume 2 Tomodachi” (English translation)

Backing up heroes, that was Kiriko’s and my mission

My last appearance was in the final episode where I had received a written invitation to be alongside the others in the waiting room (in the special investigation section of the station). Even though it was my final appearance, the final scene shooting didn’t feel lonely. Actually I was just relieved that during the final shoot nobody was injured, there were no accidents, and I could finish out the show by saying, “Thank you for your work this year, thank you all so much.”

My honest feeling from the final day of shooting was that everybody – the staff and the cast – all really loved Kamen Rider Drive. Although the Kamen Rider series has been continuing for a long time, for many years, it felt like the cast and staff had worked together to create a very special version of the beloved series. And I feel so happy that I got to be a part of it.

Takeryou (Ryoma Takeuchi) thought the same thing too, and Mr. Seiji Takaiwa (one of the Kamen Rider Drive suit actors) talked a lot about the role of the heroine in this series – one who had a deep relationship with the main cast members and had gained their trust for the first time in the series. Even in the fight scenes, we all wanted to talk with each other and keep up communication. It was wonderful to hear Mr. Takaiwa’s thoughts, especially since he is a veteran of the series.

There were other things I enjoyed too. At the premiere for Kamen Rider Drive: Surprise Future, when I came into the waiting room, (Baba) Fumika and the other Roidmude actors and actresses were there. I had gotten there just after the interviews had ended, and many of my friends were there. Afterwards we all went out to dinner together. Everyone came, and by the time we were on stage together it already felt like we were all close friends. Truly, I loved working on the show especially because of the other cast members I had the fortune to work with.

Honestly, I was so happy to get to know everybody. And I think, “I hope I see everyone again”. Because we have a bond from working on “Drive” together for a year, I believe we’ll stick together in some way another, no matter what changes in our lives.

To be a Heroine

Fumika Baba interview article in “Kamen Rider Drive Photo Album: Sounds of Speed” (English translation)

I want to spend my last scene as Medic with a smile, I thought.

So, your first scene in this drama put you in a pinch!?

My first time acting in a drama series was during “Drive”. There was so much going on – action scenes, and all of the challenges that the actors in the Kamen Rider suits had to face on set. It seemed to me like everybody else on staff had so much more experience than me and knew exactly what to do. Some of the staff had been working on the set of Kamen Rider for many years. But, everyone around me was kind and gave me good advice. I didn’t have any brothers growing up, but when I was a kid if I woke up early on Sundays I’d watch shows like “Kamen Rider” and “Precure” (laughs). Still, I was so shocked when I passed the audition to be a part of Kamen Rider Drive. And it’s bizarre to see myself on TV, but it makes me really happy. When I went for my audition, I wore a black dress. Partly because I thought it would fit for a villain character to be wearing black, but also because I normally just wear a lot of black clothing. It’s like it was my fate to portray Medic. I didn’t even know what the story would be yet! So I really just got lucky. (laughs)

Rio Uchida interview article in “Kamen Rider Drive Photo Album: Sounds of Speed” (English translation)

Having the chance to portray Kiriko – I think it was destiny.

The audition felt like taking one step forward, two steps back.

To be honest, I never thought I’d still have this job and be a part of this world by the time I turned 23. The first time I ever said that “I want to be a part of the show” was during my audition for “Drive”. Most of my life experiences as an actress have happened because I am a part of the “Drive” team. Even though there were some rough times, my memories of acting on this show have been overwhelmingly happy ones. That’s what I think. Right now, I’m 22 years old. 23 is coming up soon, and having the chance to portray Kiriko – I think it was destiny. I got to play a heroine, even though I didn’t see myself as one. The audition felt like taking one step forward, two steps back. Because even though I might get this position, there were so many actors portraying police officers around and I didn’t feel like I fit in. But in a way, being given the opportunity to play Kiriko felt like my fate, too.

Select questions answered by Fumika Baba in “Questions from Fans” article of Kamen Rider Drive: Drivin’ Album (English translation)

Q11. Fumika, what do you think is the cutest part of your Medic outfit? (16 year old female from Gifu)

Fumika: I really like the corset!

Q17. Playing Medic, was there any particular thing you had to be mindful of? (23 year old male from Iwate)

Fumika: I had to remind myself no matter what awful thing I was doing, I was doing it for Heart. I had to keep my feelings for Heart at the center of every action I took.

Q68. Can you think of any ways you or your surroundings have changed from before playing this role, compared to now? (33 year old male from Kanagawa)

Fumika: Everything has. You have to constantly learn as an actress; before I was painfully timid, and now I’m much less so. Plus now I have the experience of frightening small children (haha).

Q77. If you were to don a human disguise like Brain, what kind of clothes would you wear? (22 year old female from Fukuoka)

Fumika: Something sleazy? (haha)

Q90. I bet filming in the summer months is hard. Fumika, how do you prevent heatstroke and suntan? (16 year old female from Gifu)

Fumika: Before leaving home I would eat umeboshi for hydration. To fight suntan, I would re-apply sunblock countless times a day, stay under a parasol or wear long sleeves. I still got tanned though.

Q95. Medic has really high heels in her costume, but doesn’t that make your legs and feet hurt? (16 year old female from Gifu)

Fumika: It does hurt. To fight that, I do these wobble reducing stretches where I roll my ankles.

(Translated by Fandom Services. Paid for by this blog to the benefit of all English-speaking and English-learning fans of Fumika and Kamen Riders).