Why Actors Who Play Villains in Japanese Dramas, Movies, Plays, and Anime Are Highly Regarded
While browsing news online, I saw a report that Tom Felton, the original actor, would be playing Draco Malfoy in the stage play
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It is unusual for an original cast member to join a stage production.
Even though Tom Felton is very popular now, it is said that he was extremely disliked by people all over the world during the time the Harry Potter movies were being released.
However, in Japan, he is actually one of the most popular characters, and there is a story about how Tom Felton was moved when he visited Japan.
It is not just Tom Felton; there is an image that in other countries, playing a villain role leads to being heavily disliked.
When you hear the word "villain," what kind of image comes to mind?
In overseas movies and dramas, actors who play villains are sometimes actually hated.
On the other hand, in Japan, people often feel "I like them even though they are a villain" or "Actually, the villain is more attractive."
Actually, it turns out that there is a cultural difference there.
✅ Are you hated if you play a villain overseas?
・The star system and the strength of the "person equals role" image
In Hollywood, there is a tendency for actors to be branded, and there is a strong expectation that "an actor who plays a righteous hero is a good person in real life."
Therefore, some viewers feel "betrayed" when an actor plays a villain.
・Strength of social and moral consciousness
In American society, many works clearly depict good and evil, and there is a tendency for villains to be portrayed as ethically unacceptable beings.
Because of this, it is difficult to empathize with villains, and it is easy for people to feel disgust toward the actors who play them.
・Amplification of emotions through social media
Fan reactions tend to become excessive, and emotional backlash is easily directed at the actor personally.
✅ Why are villains welcomed in Japan?
・A culture of "thinking of the role and the person separately"
On the other hand, in Japan, actors who play villains have existed since long ago in Kabuki and period dramas, and the idea that "a play is just a play" is deeply rooted.
Actors who play villains brilliantly are praised for having "acting ability."
・Empathy for characters and "oshi (favorite) culture"
Japanese viewers tend to find charm in the "villain character" itself.
(e.g., Managing Director Owada from "Hanzawa Naoki," Makoto Shishio from "Rurouni Kenshin," etc.).
A culture that accepts complex characters, such as "they are evil but charismatic" or "you can't hate them," is deeply rooted.
・Influence of voice actor culture and 2.5D culture
The influence of anime and stage plays is also significant, and a culture of "supporting" villains has permeated.
There is a view that villains are attractive.
Whether a villain is played well is very important for making a story exciting.
For example, it is easy to understand if you imagine Toshihiko Seki, a voice actor who plays gentle characters like Doi-sensei in "Nintama Rantaro" and Iruka-sensei in "NARUTO," playing Rau Le Creuset in "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" and Muzan Kibutsuji, the final boss of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," which will have a movie released soon.
✅ A good example of Tom Felton and Draco Malfoy
■ Draco's evaluation overseas: Tended to be hated
Draco had a strong negative impression as a "typical spoiled rich kid," a bully, sarcastic, cowardly, a traitor, etc.
Because he was often depicted bullying Harry and Ron and was portrayed as a character to be hated, Tom himself said he "had unpleasant experiences on the street."
At one point, many people misunderstood him, thinking "Is he mean in real life too?" and could not distinguish between the role and the person.
■ Evaluation in Japan: Very popular as a clumsy and human character
Japanese entertainment tends to have a strong attachment to "people who are not perfect."
Even though Draco is a villain, he is a character whose humanity can be seen, such as family pressure and inner conflict due to war.
Because of such "shadows" and "inner weakness," empathy and a "maternal instinct" type of popularity were easily gathered, and he was well-received by the Japanese.
In Japan, due to the influence of anime and manga culture, a way of enjoying things by "deciphering the character's backstory" and "filling in the gaps" is deeply rooted so characters who seem unpleasant at first glance, like Draco, are explored in depth, and their popularity easily rises.
And many Japanese fans feel a sense of familiarity with the actual Tom Felton due to his bright personality, fan service, and music activities, and the cultural background of being able to naturally "see the role and the person separately" also has an influence.
Tom Felton himself stated in an interview that "Japanese fans are very kind."
It is said that he has been re-evaluated on social media in recent years, and the boom on "#DracoTok" (TikTok) has also been a tailwind.
✅ How to enjoy villains? Cultural differences and their interest
In an era where the boundary between good and evil is ambiguous, acting ability is increasingly required for villains.
Because a villain is not just an enemy but an existence that creates "depth" and greatly expands the scope of the story, you can get absorbed in the story.
Also, in Japan, since they can also be established as an "oshi (favorite)," villains can also become popular.
I think it is an important mindset for fans to accept the range of acting required of an actor as a positive thing, as being able to play a villain is proof of acting ability.
✅ Summary
Hated overseas, loved in Japan—the difference in views toward "villains" stems from differences in culture and how entertainment is received.
Especially in Japan, villains are a spice that deepens the story and are sometimes supported as the most attractive characters.
That may be a manifestation of the fact that we have a culture that is attracted to "imperfection" through characters like Draco Malfoy.
Thank you for reading until the end.
See you again.