The final two-hour special episode (extended by 56 minutes) of the TBS Sunday Theatre drama " Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea " (Sunday 9:00 pm), starring actor Ryunosuke Kamiki, was broadcast on December 22nd, bringing the story to a grand finale. The drama was shot in various locations around the country, including Gunma, Tochigi, Shizuoka, Chiba, Hyogo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, over a period of about five months, but the scene in which Reo (Kamiki) and Izumi ( Nobuko Miyamoto) actually visit Hashima Island in the climax of the final episode was specially filmed in the restricted area of Hashima Island with the cooperation of Nagasaki City.
The drama is a story of love, friendship and family spanning 70 years, set on the island of Hashima (Gunkanjima) in Nagasaki Prefecture, which developed through coal mining from the beginning of the Meiji era to the postwar high economic growth period, and in modern-day Tokyo. It was produced by the team behind the dramas "Unnatural" and "MIU404" (same series) and the movie "The Last Mile", with screenwriter Akiko Nogi, director Tsukahara Ayuko, and producer Arai.
The story of this film is set on Hashima Island, an undersea coal mining island created by reclaiming land around a reef. Japan's first high-rise reinforced concrete apartment building was built here, and at its peak it was home to around 5,300 people, making it the most densely populated island in the world. Now, 50 years after the mine closed, the island is falling into disrepair. Filming took place across the country, with the unique environment of Hashima recreated using large-scale sets and VFX technology never before seen in a TV drama.
Furthermore, with the cooperation of Nagasaki City, filming in a special restricted area was made possible for the scene in the final episode where they land on Hashima. After landing on Hashima and filming, Kamiki commented, "I was overwhelmed to a degree that I can't put into words, and it really made my heart ache. At the same time that my heart ached, I also felt the feelings and atmosphere of the people who were there, and I thought it was a powerful island." Miyamoto also spoke emotionally, saying, "I felt the time when the island was full of life everywhere. The gap between when everyone was supposed to be living there and now when there is no one there really touched my heart."
We also received comments from the cast, who finished filming on the Hashima Ginza set, which is a symbol of the drama. Takumi Saito, Hana Sugisaki, Elaiza Ikeda, Hiroya Shimizu, Tomoko Nakajima, Tao Tsuchiya, and Ikki Sawamura all finished filming with smiles on their faces. Some of the cast members were deeply moved, and the staff watching over them were also in tears, making it a touching end to filming that was filled with love for the series.
As the main cast members finished filming one after another, Kamiki, who was the last one left, wrapped up filming while Miyamoto, who had already finished filming, looked on. He responded to the staff's call of "Teppei and Reo's role, Ryunosuke Kamiki, we're wrapping up!" with a fist pump, and after receiving a bouquet of flowers from director Ayuko Tsukahara, he said with a smile, "I think this is a masterpiece that will remain in the memories of those who watched it, and in history," and reflected on filming, saying, "I felt like I was acting in a way I'd never felt before, and I think I was able to live up to the role." Finally, Miyamoto concluded filming with a "ippon-jime" (a traditional Japanese clasp).
The cast's comments at the end of filming are as follows:
◇ Ryunosuke Kamiki
When I was asked to play the lead role in the Sunday Theatre, I felt a lot of pressure and thought I wouldn't be able to handle it without more life experience, but when I saw the faces of the staff, I decided that if I just followed them, I'd be fine, so I decided to participate. There were many challenges as I was playing two roles, but the set was really fun, I learned something new every day, and I felt like I was acting in a way I'd never felt before, so I think I was able to live out the role. I think it's a masterpiece that will remain in the memories of those who watched it, and in history. Thank you very much.
◇ Takumi Saito
More than the quality of the work, the set was wonderful, and although it was tough, the staff was always considerate, so I really loved filming. Today, the extras voluntarily cooked meals, and the warmth and consideration that was not shown on screen was overflowing, and I think that energy is reaching the viewers. I am proud to have met such wonderful people and to have been able to move in the same direction.
◇ Hana Hana Sugisaki
I was able to finish filming while savoring Asako's life. I was honored to be able to take part in such a wonderful story that praises humanity. I think it was much harder for the staff than I could have imagined, but it was wonderful to see them putting all their heart and soul into making the filming possible. Thank you very much!
◇ Elaiza Ikeda
To be honest, Lina's suffering was more than we could bear, but when we arrived at the site, from saying "Good morning" to saying "Thank you" until she left, we were able to spend every day warmly helping each other out, and we were encouraged by Lina's determination to live on, and our hearts were saved by the energy of the Hashima islanders. We feel very blessed and happy. Thank you very much!
◇ Hiroya Shimizu
Thank you so much for all your help over the past 5 months. I was able to spend every day fulfillingly surrounded by such a wonderful cast and staff. Acting surrounded by such great seniors was an incredible experience for me, and although I experienced setbacks every day, I was able to grow in proportion. I was given a lot of energy to live my life from now on, so I hope to use this experience as an actor and meet you all again as a more grown-up version of myself. Thank you very much!
◇Tomoko Nakajima
I was able to work with such wonderful people on such a wonderful production... I'm so glad I got to live on Hashima! Thank you so much!
◇ Jun Kunimura
I was fortunate to work with such wonderful actors, and I thought from the very beginning that this drama surpassed all previous Japanese dramas in quality. It had a wonderful script, the director had a wonderful imagination, and I was truly honored to become a Hashima resident alongside such wonderful actors. Thank you for allowing me to take part in a production that the audience can be proud of!
◇ Tao Tsuchiya
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the staff who created such a wonderful worldview. The set was so beautiful that it would be a shame to destroy it, and I keenly feel the emotions that Yuriko felt when she left Hashima. Yuriko was carrying such a big and delicate load that there were times when I couldn't sleep. Director Tsukahara and the professionals of the Tsukahara team, Nogi's carefully selected lines, and the opportunity to act with such rich-hearted actors really gave me strength. I would like to pass on what I learned through Yuriko to the next generation.
◇ Ikki Sawamura
Thank you for your hard work during the long filming period, from when it was so hot to when it was so cold. Thank you for letting me participate in such an epic story. There were many cast members I met for the first time, but they showed me their amazing side every time, and I was able to create great scenes with Kunimura-san. Thanks to everyone, I was able to live out my role until the end.
◇ Nobuko Miyamoto
During filming, I was happy to play the role of Izumi. It's not often that you get to play a woman of this age who has such a large scale and leads a company. I think I was blessed with a great role. Thank you.
