Fudo Masashi of RESCUE

The series RESCUE focuses on a young man (who spends most of his time shouting) named Kitajima Daichi, a firefighter whose own past experience of being saved from a fire has inspired him to do the same. He becomes a training candidate, along with a small group of young men, who are completely dedicated to become a member of the Special Rescue Team. The series follows them as they work diligently to achieve their goals and grow as people as they do so.

Yamamoto Yusuke plays the role of Fudo Masashi, a serious young man who seems to be more successful than the rest of the members at almost everything they do. He tends to do things his own way and he prefers to do them alone. He doesn't hold himself back when it comes to his opinions and insults, which often causes conflicts with the others, Daichi in particular.

Throughout the series, we learn the reason behind his cold exterior and his real reason for wanting to become a member of the Special Rescue Team. Even after everything that Daichi does to try to help him, some successful and some not, he still retains his personality. He only very slowly, and very realistically, begins to warm up to Daichi and the rest of the group. It shows that while change is inevitable, it is often hard and slowgoing.

I have to say, I was glad that Yusuke was given such a serious role. I had seen glimpses of characters of his acting seriously, but up until this series his roles were usually not very serious people. I was so happy to see not only the change, but how perfectly well he executed it. This role shows exactly how versatile he is as an actor, and the series is definitely one worth watching even if you are just watching it for him.