NHK's 2025 Taiga Drama "Berabou: Tsutajyu Eiga no Yume Banashi" Announces New Cast, Sparking Huge SNS Reaction

NHK's 2025 Taiga Drama, "Berabou: Tsutajyu Eiga no Yume Banashi," has announced new cast members, generating significant buzz on social media. Particularly drawing attention is the casting of popular voice actor and actor Kenjiro Tsuda as Kyokutei Bakin (Takizawa Bakin), the eccentric playwright renowned as the author of the Edo period's best-selling novel, Nanso Satomi Hakkenden.

Kenjiro Tsuda himself posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, "I will be appearing as Takizawa Sakichi (Kyokutei Bakin). Please look forward to it!" Fans reacted with immense excitement to Tsuda's first Taiga Drama appearance, with comments such as, "Tsuda-ken as Kyokutei Bakin!? That's amazing, I can't wait to see it!" "Tsuda-ken as Kyokutei Bakin! So cool!" and "If there was a handsome, deep-voiced clerk like that at Koshodo, girls would be lining up in front!" His concurrent appearance in an NHK morning drama also garnered attention.

Furthermore, other key cast members were announced: Yoshio Inoue as Jippensha Ikku, and comedian Cookie! (from the duo Wild Bomb) as Katsushika Hokusai. This "daring casting" became a major topic on social media, with comments reflecting both excitement and some mixed reactions: "I'm thrilled at the thought of Yoshio and Furukawa appearing on the same screen in a Taiga drama," "The shock of Cookie! (Wild Bomb) as Katsushika Hokusai took me by surprise!" and "Hokusai being Cookie is quite a bold move."

"Berabou" centers on the protagonist Tsutaya Juzaburo, depicting his interactions with the eccentric and unique individuals who shaped Edo period culture. Kyokutei Bakin, played by Kenjiro Tsuda, is known to have worked for a period at Koshodo, operated by the protagonist Tsutajyu. Expectations are high for the depiction of the "Tokiwa-so-like" friendly rivalry and collaboration among historical figures such as Bakin, Katsushika Hokusai, and Jippensha Ikku. The anticipation for future broadcasts is growing, as audiences await how this lavish and distinctive cast will bring the vibrancy and culture of Edo to life.

The context

The NHK Taiga Drama is a year-long historical drama series broadcast annually by NHK (Japan's national public broadcasting organization). These dramas typically depict the lives of prominent historical figures or significant periods in Japanese history, often featuring a large ensemble cast and high production values. "Berabou: Tsutajyu Eiga no Yume Banashi" is set in the Edo period (1603-1868), a time of relative peace and flourishing arts and culture in Japan.

The characters mentioned are all influential figures of the Edo period: Tsutaya Juzaburo was a prominent publisher who nurtured many talents. Kyokutei Bakin (1767-1848) was one of the most prolific and popular fiction writers of his time, best known for his epic fantasy novel Nanso Satomi Hakkenden. Jippensha Ikku (1765-1831) was a celebrated author of comic novels, most famous for Tokaidochu Hizakurige (Shank's Mare along the Tokaido). Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was an iconic ukiyo-e artist, creator of "The Great Wave off Kanagawa."

The reference to "Tokiwa-so-like" (トキワ荘みたい) refers to the Tokiwa-so apartment building in Tokyo, famous for housing many prominent manga artists in their early careers, including Osamu Tezuka, Fujiko Fujio, and Shotaro Ishinomori. It has become a symbol of a creative community where artists inspired and supported each other. The comment about "concurrent appearance in an NHK morning drama" refers to an "Asadora" (short for "morning drama"), another popular daily drama series on NHK, usually airing for 15 minutes each morning. Appearing in both a Taiga Drama and an Asadora in the same broadcast year is notable due to the demanding schedules and high visibility of both roles.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A New Species of Cat Discovered for the First Time in Over 100 Years! Meet the 'Tilkayo'

In September 2026, cat lovers and internet users around the world were met with shocking and delightful news: a brand-new species of cat has been discovered for the first time in over a century. This newly discovered species has been named the "Tilkayo." Boasting a wild yet dignified appearance alongside undeniable cuteness, its distinctive striped pattern and other unique features have received rave reviews on social media, with comments calling it "irresistible," "cool," and noting that "even in its small size, it has the eyes of a hunter." While the fact that no new cat species had been discovered in over 100 years came as a surprise in itself, users could not hide their excitement, with posts declaring it "big enough news for news outlets to issue extra editions" and noting that "the world is still vast." Furthermore, many pet owners have been looking upon the Tilkayo with warm affection, projecting the likeness of their o...
Read more

Typhoon No. 25 Disrupts Tokyo Game Show 2026: Cancellation Sparks Refund Confusion and Travel Woes

Due to the approach of Typhoon No. 25 over the weekend, widespread disruptions are occurring at events and transportation networks across various regions. Notably, the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2026, one of Japan's largest gaming festivals, announced the cancellation of its events scheduled for Monday, September 21 (National Holiday), prompting a surge of social media posts regarding ticket refund procedures. According to official announcements, while the event will proceed as planned on Sunday, September 20, the final day on Monday, September 21 has been canceled. Regarding ticket refunds associated with this cancellation, visitors are advised to check the instructions provided by the respective ticket agencies where they made their purchases. On social media, while some users expressed relief, saying, "It's a relief that refunds will be processed automatically," others voiced confusion and questions, such as, "I don't know how to get a refund for already issued...
Read more

Ultraman Zero Cosmorize Revealed: A New Form and Transformation Device for the Iconic Hero

On the 11th, Bandai and Tsuburaya Productions unveiled details for "Ultraman Zero Cosmorize," a striking new form for the popular character Ultraman Zero, alongside his new transformation item, the "DX Ultrise Eye." A special movie is scheduled for release on YouTube in the summer of 2026, and the announcement has already ignited significant buzz across social media. The newly revealed "Zero Cosmorize" features a simple yet powerful design based on red and silver, departing from Zero's typical complex aesthetic. Fans have expressed surprise and admiration, with comments such as "He looks just like the original Ultraman" and "The simplicity makes it look so cool." In this form, Zero can reportedly perform a variety of attacks, including summoning previous Ultramen, by attaching and operating the "Ultrise Eye" on the "Ultrise Bracelet" worn on his left arm. Regarding the toy release, the "DX Ultrise Eye" ...
Read more