Tokyo International News Agency

In the NHK Taiga Drama 'Berabou: The Dream of Tsutaju's Glory,' Otei, the wife of the protagonist Tsutaya Juzaburo (Tsutaju), has been captivating viewers. Episode 45, in particular, was hailed as a 'divine episode' and 'the ultimate highlight' as she led the 'Sharaku Project' with her intelligence and passion, ultimately persuading the ukiyo-e artist Utamaro. The story has reached a crucial juncture where Tsutaju, embroiled in a vendetta against the Hitotsubashi clan, launches the 'Sharaku Project' to spread the rumor of Gennai's survival. Tsutaju desperately wants Utamaro to participate in this project, but Utamaro, who had previously distanced himself, is reluctant. This is when Otei steps up. Despite the pressing circumstances—her husband Tsutaju's life and the survival of Koshodo, the bookstore she manages—Otei speaks to Utamaro with 'the true feelings of a bookseller.' Her words, 'I long to see the art born from th...

In NHK's Taiga Drama "Berabō," the character "Dr. Gennai" has become a major topic of discussion on social media. In particular, a "survival theory" suggesting that "Dr. Gennai might still be alive" has emerged, adding new mystery and anticipation to the unfolding story. The protagonist, Tsutaya Jūzaburō (Tsutajū), and his wife, Otei, were in deep despair due to the deteriorating relationship with Utamaro and the death of their child. However, the presence of Dr. Gennai became the catalyst for their recovery. Many voices on social media praise this, saying things like, "It's wonderful that Dr. Gennai is the one who helps Tsutajū and Otei regain their spirits," and "Considering that Kōshodō (Tsutaya's publishing house) was born from Dr. Gennai's words, his very existence linked them together." Comments also highlight his significant influence, such as, "Tsutajū and Otei are steadily regaining their vitalit...

The NHK Taiga drama 'Berabō: Tsutajū's Dream of Glory' is currently making waves on social media. Particularly generating buzz are the evolving relationship between protagonist Tsutaya Jūzaburō (played by Ryusei Yokohama) and Kitagawa Utamaro (played by Shota Sometani), the intensifying political tensions within the Tokugawa shogunate, and the appearance of unique new cast members. A major shock among viewers is Utamaro's actions, perceived by some as a 'betrayal.' Many have expressed surprise and sadness, with comments like, 'Et tu, Brute? More like, Et tu, Utamaro? 😳 And the title is 'Ballad of Betrayal' 😭,' referring to Utamaro starting to work with Nishimuraya, another publisher, in addition to Tsutajū. One viewer analyzed, 'My family member, who watched the latter half of this episode, commented, 'Utamaro couldn't bring himself to say, 'I'm also working with Nishimuraya,' could he?' Indeed. The bond between Utam...

Kotaro Satomi, who played Sogen-ya, a book wholesaler, in the NHK Taiga drama "Berabou: Tsutajyu Eiga no Yume Banashi," has wrapped up filming, leading to an outpouring of gratitude and farewell messages from many viewers on social media. Sogen-ya was depicted as a great benefactor to the protagonist Tsutajyu (Ryusei Yokohama), guiding and supporting him from a young age—truly the "conscience of the Berabou world." Despite being in his 80s, Kotaro Satomi exuded a powerful presence with his firm voice and dignified acting, consistently serving as Tsutajyu's trusted advisor and confidant. Viewers lauded his performance, with comments like, "His strong, resonant voice and acting, showing no signs of age, brought an immense sense of security," and "His clear articulation and upright posture were so cool." Particularly memorable were Sogen-ya's convictions as a bookseller: "Books and knowledge are power," and "That is why book...

In the latest episode of NHK Taiga Drama "Berabou: Tsutaju Eiga no Yume Banashi," a line delivered by voice actress Sumi Shimamoto has become a major topic of discussion, particularly on social media. The line, familiar to fans, is "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." This single phrase has left many viewers unable to hide their surprise and excitement, with shouts of joy flooding social media. Sumi Shimamoto is widely known for voicing the protagonist Nausicaä in Studio Ghibli's masterpiece, "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind." "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid" is an iconic line from the film, spoken by Nausicaä as she first tames Teto, a creature from the forest. The moment Shimamoto, playing Taka-san, uttered this line in the current Taiga Drama, Twitter (X) was flooded with posts like "They absolutely made the Nausicaä voice actress say that on purpose, didn't they?", "I never thought I'd hear that ...

The word "Okkasan" (mother), used to refer to the character Otsuyo in the latest episode of the NHK Taiga drama "Berabou," garnered a massive reaction on social media, becoming a trending topic. Many viewers were moved by the scene where the protagonist, Tsutaya Juzaburo (Tsutaju), for the first time called Otsuyo, his adoptive mother whom he had previously addressed as "Baban" (old hag), "Okkasan." Overcoming years of conflict and acknowledging his mother's profound love, Tsutaju's call elicited an outpouring of comments such as, "Tears welled up," "I cried at the weight of the word 'Okkasan'," and "My tear ducts burst the moment he became 'Okkasan's child'." The intense yet warm exchange between Otsuyo, played by Saki Takaoka, and Tsutaju, played by Ryusei Yokohama, has been praised as a "beautiful and deeply moving masterpiece scene." Furthermore, the fact that the ukiyo-e a...

Towards the end of NHK's Taiga drama 'Berabou: Tsutaju Eiga no Yume Banashi,' the world of Shotaro Ikenami's popular historical novel 'Onihei Hankacho' unexpectedly unfolded, causing a huge stir on social media. In that day's broadcast, Hayato Nakamura, playing Heizo Hasegawa, declared his famous catchphrase, 'I am Heizo Hasegawa, chief of the Arson and Robbery Control Office!' sending viewers into a frenzy. This was a stark contrast to Heizo Hasegawa's earlier portrayal in 'Berabou,' and his dignified appearance prompted a flurry of surprised and joyful comments such as 'I thought a different drama had started,' 'Onihei Hankacho has begun!', and 'Heizo-san is so cool! It's like watching an alternate Onihei Hankacho.' Long-time fans of 'Onihei Hankacho,' in particular, posted enthusiastic comments like 'Joy!' and 'My tension shot up,' with attention also drawn to the depiction of the ...

The latest episode of the NHK Taiga Drama 'Berabou: The Dream Story of Tsutaya Juzaburo's Prosperity' has aired, and the dramatic death of Koikawa Harumachi (portrayed by Kakura Kuranahashi and Okayama Amane), one of the characters surrounding the protagonist Tsutaya Juzaburo (Yokohama Ryusei), has caused a significant stir on social media. In particular, his chosen method of death and the anguish of Matsudaira Sadanobu (Inoue Yuki) in the background brought many viewers to tears. In the drama, amidst the strict censorship imposed by the Kansei Reforms, Master Harumachi grapples with his responsibility as a samurai and his pride as a playwright. Unexpectedly, he literally carried out the jocular remark, 'I'll bash my head against the corner of a tofu block and die,' ending his life through seppuku. On social media, numerous comments poured in, such as 'I loved Harumachi; he was charmingly awkward, cynical, and utterly serious,' and 'Harumachi was so ...

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...

New cast members have been announced for NHK's 2025 Taiga drama 'Berabou: Tsutaju Eiga no Yume Banashi,' and its star-studded yet unexpected casting has become a major topic of conversation, especially on social media. Among the announcements, it was revealed that Kuki! of the comedy duo 'Yasei Bakudan' will portray Katsushika Hokusai (Shunro Katsukawa), a ukiyo-e artist from the Edo period, sparking widespread surprise and anticipation. The newly announced cast members include Kenjiro Tsuda as Kyokutei Bakin (Takizawa Okikazu), a writer known for works such as 'Nansō Satomi Hakkenden'; Yoshio Inoue as Jippensha Ikku (Shigeta Teiichi), author of the comic novel 'Tokaidochu Hizakurige'; and Kuki! as Katsushika Hokusai. Following this announcement, numerous surprised reactions appeared on social media, such as, 'When I saw the article saying Hokusai is Kuki!, I thought, 'Oh, he does have a Sharaku vibe,' but it's not Sharaku,' and ...

Koikawa Harumachi, affectionately known as Harumachi-sensei, a character who truly stands out in the NHK Taiga drama 'Berabou,' has become a major topic of conversation among viewers. His distinctive words and actions, coupled with the shocking development hinted at in next week's preview, have led to a flood of concerns on social media. While described within the drama as 'troublesome,' 'sulky,' and 'too much of a moe character,' Harumachi-sensei's endearing words and actions—such as 'Harumachi-sensei fiddling with the tatami mat edge was great' and 'his 'hmph' was so troublesome yet cute'—have captivated many viewers. When his lord, Kojima Matsudaira, affirmed his hobby of creating gesaku, understood his true intentions, and praised him, viewers resonated with comments like 'He's lucky to have such a good boss.' However, as the story approaches its climax, next week's preview depicts Harumachi-sensei in i...

The 32nd episode of the NHK Taiga Drama "Berabou: Tsutajū Eiga no Yume Banashi" (Berabou: The Dream Tale of Tsutajū's Prosperity) garnered significant attention and sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with related terms trending, due to its tense depiction of the historical event known as "Uchikowashi." The episode vividly portrayed the escalating public discontent stemming from rice shortages caused by the Tenmei Famine, and how the "Uchikowashi" riots that began in Osaka spread to Edo. Many viewers drew parallels between the historical context and contemporary societal issues, with comments such as, "The immersion is incredible! I feel like I'm one of the citizens involved in the Uchikowashi." The protagonist, Tsutajū (Tsutaya Jūzaburō, played by Ryusei Yokohama), along with Shinnosuke (Jun Hashimoto), who was inspired by Hiraga Gennai's teachings, proposed a "Uchikowashi where n...

In the NHK Taiga Drama "Berabou: Tsutajyu Eiga no Yume Banashi," "Otei-san," who becomes the wife of the protagonist Tsutaya Juzaburo (Tsutajyu), is drawing significant attention. The latest episode, in particular, depicted the circumstances leading to her marriage with Tsutajyu and the delicate emotional portrayal of the characters involved, which has generated a considerable buzz on social media. Otei-san is portrayed as a woman who, at first glance, seems rigid and has low self-esteem, yet possesses keen observational skills and a wealth of hidden knowledge. Her talent for weaving phrases from Chinese classics into her dialogue and creating her unique genealogical charts, dubbed "the genealogy of dignity (hin no keizu)," has led viewers to praise her as an "interesting woman." While she tends to be intimidated by the flamboyant world of Yoshiwara, Tsutajyu understands Otei-san's subtle efforts and hidden talents better than anyone. He pro...