Overwhelmed by articles that touch the heartstrings. Introducing entertainment writer Hashima-san

I want to try writing entertainment articles. But maybe I can't do it. Still, I really want to give it a try. If I do, will I get a little closer to him? Or will I feel his presence even further away? I don't know. That is exactly why I want to test how far I can write.

It is a miracle to encounter articles that captivate me so deeply in the vast ocean of the internet. It might be presumptuous for someone like me, who lives on the fringes of the industry, to say such a thing. Even so, there is a writer whose articles I always read whenever I see a 'I wrote this' announcement.

The writer of these wonderful articles is entertainment writer Toshihiro Hashima.

I read his articles on Real Sound Movie Department and thought that one day I wanted to write in the same place.

In fact, I even mentioned his name as the writer I admire during my interview.

Perhaps the brilliance of Hashima-san's articles lies in the fact that the perspective he cultivated through his martial arts experience is fully utilized in his drama and movie articles.

Hashima-san also writes from various angles as a martial artist in his 'Budoka Cinema Juku' magazine on note, and all of those essays are truly interesting and worth reading.

Hashima-san is such a huge movie lover that if he sees a movie and likes it, he immediately books a seat for the next showing.

Personally, I am already exhausted after watching a movie (partly because I watch with such intense focus), so I want to let my brain rest for a while.

That is why I felt his extraordinary passion for entertainment in his attitude of immediately booking the next seat on his smartphone after finishing a movie.

In his review article for the movie 'Shoutai' starring Ryusei Yokohama, he also introduces issues such as how the original author's own conflicts and hesitations influence the work.

And he explains those conflicts and hesitations using the term 'shikori' (a knot or lump).

The impact of these three characters is quite something, and I felt it served as a spice for the entire review.

In the article, after touching upon the issue of selfish 'corruptions' of original works that lack love for the source material, the author wrote about how 'there are happy adaptations of original works, even from the author's perspective.'

When people hear the term 'adaptation of an original work,' many have a negative image. Of course, I too haven't had a very good image of that term, especially after encountering recent news and the like.

However, the moment I heard the phrase 'happy adaptation of an original work,' I thought it was such a wonderful expression that my eyes widened.

I was also surprised by the positive elements brought about by the word 'happy.' It's only three characters, but what a powerful word it is.

Beyond that, there were many other expressions that made me think, 'That's clever,' and I was truly impressed. As I read through the text, the scales fell from my eyes, one by one.

At such times, I find myself wanting to think of a witty retort. But I can't easily come up with a good phrase. Instead of 'clever,' maybe 'a cushion for you!'... hmm. That's a bit different, isn't it? I hold my head in my hands at my own lack of vocabulary. It's a troublesome thing.

Every time I encounter a novel expression, I get flustered, so as a writer, I am still a developing nation. I need to increase my vocabulary more and more. And I want to encounter the writing spun by many different people.

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The one who takes the lead on a work is always the original author.

I had always perceived it that way. But after reading Hashima-san's article, I couldn't help but pose a question to myself: 'Is that really the case?'

It's rare to encounter an article that gives such 'questions' to your own thinking. Unless the article itself has power, people won't stop and think. I feel that Hashima-san's articles have the power to make you stop in your tracks.

At the very least, I stopped and thought, 'Am I properly enjoying entertainment works?' Perhaps it's because every word he weaves has weight and depth. The density of each sentence is high, and after finishing one article, there is a freshness that makes your perspective shift completely.

I tend to try to enjoy works with a passive attitude. It's easier that way, and I can immerse myself in the world of the work more smoothly. Is that why my thinking remains shallow?

——Perhaps.

How many of these ideas can I hold? And how flexibly can I switch my perspective? Having this viewpoint is probably important when writing reviews. And to increase those viewpoints, there are parts that are quite difficult to achieve just by being conscious of them.

It might be a blunt thing to say, but in the end, I feel it is also influenced by 'how much rich experience the person themselves has cultivated.'

I want to broaden my perspective. And I want to weave words with various expressions. Reading Hashima-san's article, I vowed to do so once again.

In the review, he also touches upon the image of Ryusei Yokohama that Hashima-san seeks.

Ryusei Yokohama is one of the most popular actors of the moment. Until I read this article, I honestly thought I shouldn't expect anything from him.

However, if I truly love an actor's "acting"... perhaps it's okay to ask for more, like wanting to see certain expressions.

I must have been enjoying works too passively until now. The work is right in front of me, and it's something that always entertains me. But sometimes, it just doesn't suit my taste.

"Maybe this work isn't for me."

Whenever I thought that, I would always give up on watching the work. But if I dig deeper into "why I feel that way," couldn't I find a different way to enjoy it? Perhaps it's okay to engage with entertainment with more of my own intentions and wishes.

In the first place, the answers we receive from a work differ from person to person. Among those who read entertainment articles, there might be some who want to know the view seen by the writer...

I want to engage with works more through the filter of my own eyes. I want to enjoy them more. When I started thinking that, my heart began to race with excitement.

Wonderful articles change the way we think. Of course, they don't completely change our way of thinking or our lives. Writing isn't magic, after all. But if it can change our perspective even a little, or bring about a positive change in our way of thinking...

Isn't that a miracle?

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Why am I so captivated by his articles? Perhaps it's because I was in the kendo club during junior high school, and after entering the workforce, I spent eight years devoted to Yosakoi and dancing.

Even when watching romance dramas or movies, for some reason, I find myself paying attention to posture, body movements, and muscle engagement.

In the NHK Taiga drama "Berabou," I thought the way Ryusei Yokohama and Fuka Koshiba carried themselves and their posture were beautiful.

Yokohama has a background in karate, and Koshiba in figure skating. It might not be "just because" of that, but I also felt that such suppleness isn't something that can be achieved overnight; it's something cultivated over many years.

Reading Hashima-san's article and learning that there are articles that allow one to enjoy entertainment from an athlete's perspective was an eye-opener.

Sports are interesting once you get hooked. On the other hand, they also harbor madness. The eyes of those who started just because it was fun gradually transform into eyes that say, "That's not enough."

I want to win at a big competition. I want to be evaluated. More and more. Along with their gaze, ripples of muscle begin to form on them as well. Could the same be said for the world of public submissions, like literary contests?

In the case of sports, it doesn't work that way when it becomes a team effort. Is it not enough to just have fun? That person has changed. In truth, none of these opinions are wrong. However, when a team's opinions fail to align, it becomes difficult to produce results.

At such times, the way words are arranged, personality, intelligence, and—though it may sound a bit harsh—the power of brainwashing that is essential to move people—the head of the group (coach, advisor, leader, etc.) needs the "power to persuade people." The world of sports becomes more complex as more people gather, and the higher one aims, the more people with spear-like gazes increase. Madness begins to dwell within.

Hashima's articles possess a heat and madness unique to someone who has walked the path of sports, all within a framework of calm analytical power. I felt that being able to perceive the madness unique to an athlete in the currently popular actor Ryusei Yokohama was a perspective only Hashima could provide.

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Hashima is skilled at scooping up the madness of actors. And he is also brilliant at naturally weaving his own episodes into his work.

The job of a writer is often whispered to be, 'Don't show yourself. Stay in the background.' But that ultimately depends on the position.

Even among writers, the nature of the work is a mix of the good and the bad. Depending on the job, there are times when you are required to show yourself.

Especially in the case of writers with influencer-like elements, their own words might carry even 'stronger value.' (*In the case of such types, they often have jobs other than writing, such as 'appearing on camera,' 'talking,' or 'speaking at seminars')

Recently, I have had more jobs where I cannot put myself into the work. That is precisely why I feel like I might hesitate when it is finally required of me.

Not 'I am a writer, so I am X,' but someone who can express themselves flexibly when asked. As I read the works of various people, I feel once again that I would like to become someone like that.

Everyone has their own way of being crazy, but I prefer writing that harbors a quiet madness. Because it gives me chills when I read it. As I read Hashima's articles, I felt that I, too, want to find my own unique madness and perspective—even if it takes time, I want to find them little by little.

[End]

(Afterword)

Recently, I feel like the number of my followers who aspire to writing jobs (not limited to writers) has increased, so I decided to introduce one of my favorite writers.

If I were to carry out this project, I decided that Hashima would definitely be the first one. (Though it might end after just one time)

On note, there are many people who recommend articles with unique perspectives and passion. Perhaps this is because there are quite a few people aiming to publish books.

In that genre, what comes to mind are columns, novels, essays, scenarios (manga, dramas, etc.), funny stuff like Omocoro or Cresta, reviews (products, dramas, movies, etc.), gourmet, travel, influencer types, and those active as columnists.

Since Hashima does a lot of entertainment-related work, he is a different type from the SEO, product/service introductions (though this might be close, I feel it's a bit different), interviews, and reporting jobs that are common for writers... but I love all his works because they are filled with soul.

Among those who weave good works after internalizing and properly digesting them, he is the first person who comes to mind when I think of someone active on the front lines.

If I feel like introducing a wonderful writer on a whim again someday, I might reach out to someone. It might also be interesting to do an online interview. I look forward to it if that happens.