Yûya Yagira, lead actor of the horror-drama series, on how Masaaki Ninomiya’s manga adaptation can serve up a thrilling time.
For Yûya Yagira’s latest act, one after a Canes-winning performance at 12, playing the famed painter Hokusai, killing it in an Unforgiven remake, and channeling Takeshi Kitano’s younger self, he is a police officer in a village that will—literally—eat you up if you don’t fit in. Such is perhaps the way to have your friends take note of Gannibal, the Japanese series that premiered on (and became a hit on) the local Disney+ last year and is currently available stateside via Hulu.
Takamasa Ôe, of Drive My Car fame, writes all seven episodes of Gannibal. Other notable cast members joining Yagira include Tokyo Vice’s Shô Kasamatsu and The Geisha’s Mitsuko Baisho.
With the assistance of translator Mari (Hong) Oki, The Spool got to chat with Yagira and take a bigger bite into his performance, his character (Officer Daigo Agawa), and filming among isolated beauty.
The Spool edited this interview for length and clarity.
What is it about Gannibal that prompts you to, in a way, return to the horror genre after The Shock Labyrinth 3D in 2009?
YUYA YAGIRA: It was produced by Disney+, and also because of the production team. They all made me very excited about getting involved!
In preparing to be Daigo, did you read the manga beforehand?
YAGIRA: Yes!
How did it influence your approach to your performance?
YAGIRA: Since the original script was manga, it was very important to take it into consideration. But turning it into images, and expressions that you can only do when putting things into images, bring out even more of the goodness of the story. It also helps you explore more of the story. In the manga, there are many conflicts between different people, families, and so on, but on screen, we’ve made edits to have the love between the families and the sense of justice as well.
Thing is, characters in manga or graphic novels and the like can be supernaturally expressive. Meanwhile, the work of translating them to the real world needs to account for physics and natural laws. How did the production navigate this hurdle?
YAGIRA: Because of the strength of the production team, it made us feel easy to act in a natural way—and that was what they wanted. I think that, somehow, making Gannibal into a series created some kind of compatibility with the manga. I don’t know how this would turn out in the U.S., but at least in Japan the series got top ranking with great words on the performances. The crew that we had had great compatibility with this story!
More on Daigo—sometimes I’d find him trying to be the most intimidating person in the village, the “biggest monster” of all. That makes him a very complex character; he’s our hero and yet not easy to like. What are your thoughts on this observation?
YAGIRA: I wouldn’t say his type is a leader. I think this character is full of curiosity, and being a police officer, he will use violence when he doesn’t like what he sees. And he’s not a leader because he wants to have a peaceful life with his family, but when he sees a quarrel or an argument, he will go for it. He will become very emotional. You will see how these emotions will go to extremes at the end. There’s something to see!
Do the locations influence your performance in some way? I thought that the places look so pretty, but they hide horrific things. But at times those horrific things can look so pretty.
YAGIRA: We have these beautiful scenes in Japan, but they’ll also get you to imagine that things are hidden there! We went to these locations where there are very few people living there. While filming, you’d think about, “Maybe there’s something going on here,” and you’d be kind of excited about it. It’s wonderful that they’ve found these places. And if you walk alone at night, you’ll really get scared!
Before we leave, please tell me if there’ll be a Season 2?
YAGIRA: Actually, I don’t know yet! I hope so. I want to do that!
Read next: The Spool's Best New Releases
Streaming guides
The Best Live TV Streaming Services With Free Trial
The praises of live TV streaming services don’t need to be further sung. By now, we all know that compared to clunky, commitment-heavy cable, live TV is cheaper and much easier to manage. But just in case you’re still on the fence about jumping over to the other side, or if you’re just unhappy with ... The Best Live TV Streaming Services With Free Trial
How to Watch Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 3
Season 3 of the hotly anticipated Power spin-off, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, is arriving on Starz soon, so you know what that means: it’s the ’90s again in The Southside, and we’re back with the Thomas family as they navigate the ins and outs of the criminal underworld they’re helping build. Mekai Curtis is ... How to Watch Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 3
How to Watch Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re so back! To celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary, the BBC is producing a three-episode special starring none other than the Tenth/Fourteenth Doctor himself, David Tennant. And to the supreme delight of fans (that would be me, dear reader), the Doctor will be joined by old-time companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and ... How to Watch Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials
Which Netflix Country Has Each Movie of The Hunger Games?
For whatever reason, The Hunger Games series isn’t available in the same countries around the world. You’ll find the first and second (aka the best) installments in Hong Kong, for instance, but not the third and fourth. It’s a frustrating dilemma, especially if you don’t even have a single entry in your region, which is ... Which Netflix Country Has Each Movie of The Hunger Games?
How to watch Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin Season 2
After a years-long hiatus, scientist and explorer Albert Lin is coming back to National Geographic with a fresh new season of Lost Cities, renamed “Lost Cities Revealed.” In the past, Lin, who is probably the closest we’ll ever get to a real-life Indiana Jones, has traveled everywhere from the ancient Knights Templar in Israel to ... How to watch Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin Season 2
How to Watch Paramount Network With a Free Trial
To date, Paramount Network has only two original shows on air right now: Yellowstone and Bar Rescue. The network seems to have its hands full with on-demand streaming service Paramount+, which is constantly stacked with a fresh supply of new shows. But Yellowstone and Bar Rescue are so sturdy and expansive that the network doesn’t ... How to Watch Paramount Network With a Free Trial
How to Watch WE TV With a Free Trial
Previously “Women’s Entertainment,” We TV has since rebranded to accurately reflect its name and be a more inclusive lifestyle channel. It’s home to addictive reality gems like Bold and Bougie, Bridezillas, Marriage Boot Camp, and The Untold Stories of Hip Hop. And when it’s not airing original titles, it has on syndicated shows like 9-1-1, ... How to Watch WE TV With a Free Trial
How to Watch FX With a Free Trial
You’d be hard-pressed to find a bad show airing on FX. The channel has made a name for itself as a bastion of high-brow TV, along with HBO and AMC. It’s produced shows like Atlanta, Fargo, The Americans, Archer, and more recently, Shogun. But because it’s owned by Disney, it still airs several blockbusters in ... How to Watch FX With a Free Trial
How to Watch A&E With A Free Trial
If you’re a fan of true crime and insider docu-shows like The First 48 and Court Cam, then you’re probably already familiar with A&E. The cable channel is home to other reality TV gems like Hoarders, Duck Dynasty, and Storage Wars (they’ve moved on to spin-offs like Road Wars, Customer Wars, and Prison Wars now). ... How to Watch A&E With A Free Trial
How to Watch Unimás With a Free Trial
As the sister channel of the much bigger Univision, Unimás is home to popular Spanish-language telenovelas and talk shows (yes, including El Gordo y La Flaca), as well as a couple of sports events and programs. Most notably, however, Unimás also operates a couple of station affiliates around the country, so it also reports local ... How to Watch Unimás With a Free Trial
How to Watch TNT With A Free Trial
For many sports fans, TNT is a non-negotiable. It broadcasts NBA, MLB, NHL, college basketball, and All Elite Wrestling matches. And, as a bonus, it also has reruns of shows like Supernatural, Charmed, and NCIS, as well as films like The Avengers, Dune, and Justice League. But while TNT used to be a cable staple, ... How to Watch TNT With A Free Trial