We sat down with Asa Butterfield of Netflix's Sex Education to hear about his secret gaming tournaments, his favorite childhood travel memory, and the Japanese phrases he can't stop using.
Where have you just come back from?
“I’ve done quite a bit of traveling this year. I was in Canada for a little while, as my auntie and my cousin live in Vancouver and I’d always wanted to go. Then I spent three weeks in Tokyo seeing more family—we’re quite spread out. I’m a big fan of Tokyo: the city, the people, wandering around the streets of Shibuya, eating interesting food at the markets, going to all the wacky tech cities with loads of gadgets, buying Japanese artwork. I bought lots of Gundam robots, as they’re so much cheaper in Japan, and there’s a shop called Mandarake that sells vintage and collector’s items. I also picked up these cool old metal shop signs to put in my apartment in London.”
Where in the world have you felt happiest?
“In London with my friends and family. I’ve got my own place in Hackney now, but I grew up nearby in Islington.”
Name a place that most lived up to the hype.
“As a kid, I watched Japanese movies and anime. I had an idea what the country would be like, and when I first went, at 18, it really did live up to that. There’s nowhere like it. I tried to learn Japanese for a while. I want to start it up again. It’s surprisingly not too hard to pick up.”
And a place that least lived up to the hype?
“Honestly, in my opinion—and I have to keep my voice quiet here—it’s Los Angeles. Being in a place where life revolves around this industry is too much. Everyone’s got their game face on. Yeah, the weather is amazing, and there is nice food, but to get anywhere you have to travel in a car for an hour. It’s fine for a week, but any longer than that and you start to go a bit mad.”
Which is your favorite city, and why?
“I’ve got three: London, New York, and Tokyo. I think London tops the list, but the others are a close second. I prefer cities with a lot of energy and dizziness and movement to them. I like the hustle and bustle. I love being surrounded by people and people-watching—when somewhere is too empty, it’s like, jeez, where is everybody? I also like cities with good public transportation, because I can’t drive.”
Describe a memory from a childhood holiday.
“I must have been about four years old—it was before my mum and dad split up—and we went to Sri Lanka. I remember there was this stray dog on the beach and we’d have to run back to our hut because the dog would nip at our ankles.”
Where did you go on your first holiday without your parents?
“Do school trips count? We went to France with no parents, just teachers, who kind of were your parents when you were away, but you’d take every opportunity to get up to no good.”
Describe your favorite view.
“I like sunsets, the sea, and the beach, but also city skylines. There’s a great view of London from my flat. I bought it three years ago, and already I have seen so many buildings go up—it’s constantly changing.”
Tell us about a great little place you know.
“There’s a community-run space near Brick Lane in London called the Nomadic Community Gardens where you can go and hang out. It’s underneath the train tracks, and there are old sofas, little huts, gardens, and a café. Hardly anyone knows it exists.”
What do you pack first?
“Aside from the obvious, I take a book and my Nintendo Switch. I’m quite a big gamer. I go to tournaments and compete.”
Finish this sentence: I would never, ever go back to...
“Blackpool, England. We filmed some of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children there. If you want a seaside town, go somewhere else, not Blackpool. That’s all I’ll say.”
Sightseeing or lounging in the sun?
“Definitely a bit of both. I enjoy seeing things, but equally I like lying in the sun beside a swimming pool, reading a book. Sometimes on holiday you feel as if you have to do loads of stuff. Like you have to tick off a list, and it becomes quite stressful because of that, when really you just want to do nothing.”
Which foreign phrase do you use most often?
“Probably the Japanese expression itadakimasu, which you say before eating and is sort of like ‘thank you’; and nani, which is something you say when you’re exclaiming surprise.”
What would you most like to find in your hotel minibar?
“A bottle of Laphroaig whisky and a Galaxy or Mars bar. And some cheese.”
Most regrettable holiday souvenir?
“I am a bit of a hoarder. I’ve got all these random trinkets that actually don’t have any cultural meaning, but I can’t throw them out. Something’s got to go on the shelves.”
How do you relax?
“Listening to reggae, soul, or ska in the sunshine, with a bottle of beer.”
Sex Education is streaming now on Netflix.