It was announced on September 19th that actor Yasuda Ken will play Hiraga Gennai in the NHK Taiga drama "Berabou - Tsutaju Eika no Yumebanashi" starring Yokohama Ryusei, which will start on January 5th, 2025. This will be Yasuda's second time appearing in a Taiga drama, 19 years after "Koumyou ga Tsuji" in 2006.
The character Hiraga Gennai, who he plays, is a man of many faces, such as a botanist, a playwright, a mine developer, an inventor, etc., who comes up with one cutting-edge idea after another and travels all over Japan to realize them, experiencing success and failure, and is sometimes called a speculator. Tanuma Okitsugu (Watanabe Ken) is also fascinated by his ideas and has such an eye for him that he entrusts him with a special mission. The main character Tsutaya Juzaburo (Yokohama) also tries to contact Gennai, who has become a celebrity in Edo, to ask him for work, in an attempt to attract customers back to his hometown of Yoshiwara.
Yasuda said, "I heard that the scriptwriter, Yoshiko Morishita, approached me. I couldn't be happier or more honored. I will do my best to perform," and commented on Yokohama, who plays the main character, Tsutae, "This is the first time we've worked together. He's serious and honest, but also has a mischievous vibe and is full of charm. That's the impression I have of him." He added, "It's truly an honor to be able to work with Watanabe Ken. The reason is obvious!" On playing Hiraga Gennai, he said, "When people around him see him, they are called geniuses, and they seem a little different. His way of speaking was a little off, but I think he was humorous and charming." He also sent a message about the work, saying, "No matter what happens, you have to live. Why not face it in a fun way? This work makes you think like that. Whether it's something trivial or serious, it's light-hearted and witty. Grit your teeth, hold back your tears, and be kind to people. 'Teyande! Berabou-me. Please watch 'Berabou.'"
"Berabou ~Tsutaju Eika no Yume Banashi~" is the 64th taiga drama, and depicts the life of Tsutaya Juzaburo, who is said to have built the foundations of Japan's media industry and pop culture. The production team bills it as "a dashing young man who was born with nothing - no parents, no money, no artistic talent... but became the darling of the era as 'Edo's media king.'"
