Japanese Comedian Kenkoba Appears in Jujutsu Kaisen as a Character Who “Looks Just Like Him”! Plays the Comedian Ken—“From the Moment He Appeared in the Magazine, I Thought, ‘That’s Definitely Me’”

Episode 3 (overall Episode 50) of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, titled Culling Game: First Half, aired on the TBS network on the 16th. It was revealed in the ending credits that the role of Ken—the senior comedian of the struggling comic Takaba Fumihiko—was voiced by Japanese comedian Kendo Kobayashi.

Ken is a character who, ever since his first appearance in the original manga, had been a hot topic online with fans saying, “He looks just like Kenkoba!” In an official interview released to the public, Kendo Kobayashi commented on his surprise at being cast, saying, “My honest reaction was, ‘This has turned into something unbelievable.’”

Episode 50 depicts Yuji Itadori, burdened by guilt following the mass killing in Shibuya, who nevertheless rises again after hearing Megumi Fushiguro say, “Save me first.” Yuji then reunites with Yuki Tsukumo and the others hiding at Jujutsu High. Seeking answers on how to unseal the Prison Realm that holds Gojo Satoru, as well as the true objectives and next moves of Kamo Noritoshi, the group heads to the Tombs of the Star Corridor to meet Tengen.

As Tengen responds to their questions, he begins to explain Kamo Noritoshi’s true name and the deadly sorcerer battle royale he engineered—the Culling Game, in which those granted cursed techniques are forced to kill one another. This storyline unfolds throughout the episode. Toward the end, Ken—portrayed by Kenkoba—appears as the senior comedian of the struggling entertainer Takaba Fumihiko.

Interview

— How did you feel when you learned you would be appearing in the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen?

Kendo Kobayashi
I’ve been so scared that I haven’t been able to sleep properly. Ever since Ken appeared in the magazine, I thought, “That’s definitely me.” With how insanely popular the anime is, and knowing the Culling Game arc would be adapted, I was telling everyone around me, “The role of Ken is absolutely going to come to me!” But when I actually ended up playing him, I started to panic (laughs). Honestly, my straightforward impression was, “This has turned into something unbelievable.”

— Fans have long talked about how much Ken resembles you. When you first saw the character, what impression did you get?

Kendo Kobayashi
Gege Akutami-sensei really observes me closely. Ken is basically “me myself.” I often give vague, abstract advice to juniors who are struggling—and end up confusing them even more. The juniors who manage to overcome that are really impressive. But honestly, most of them don’t (laughs).

— Takaba Fumihiko is introduced as a new character: a struggling comedian. As a fellow comedian, what impression do you have of his talent?

Kendo Kobayashi
He worries about not being successful, but if he had kept going as he was, I think he would have made it just fine. People who know what it’s like to lose—who’ve experienced losing matches—are strong. There are those superstar types who just keep climbing without ever knowing defeat, but those only come around once every few years.

It’s the people who pile up a history of losses, then finally resolve themselves with the thought, “I have to succeed,” who end up breaking through. After losing as much as he did, Takaba is able to turn that self-deprecation into comedy—and because of that, I believe he’ll definitely succeed someday.
…This is way more specific than I’d ever say to my real-life juniors, though. In reality, I give them much more abstract advice (laughs).

Source : ORICON NEWS