The new cast for the NHK Taiga drama "Toyotomi Brothers!" starring Nakano Taiga to be broadcast in 2026 was announced on April 8th on the official NHK Drama X (@nhk_dramas) website, revealing that Nogizaka46 member Nagi Inoue will play Chacha and former Sakurazaka46 member Yuka Sugai will play Matsu. The cast is attracting attention as it features a popular member (Inoue) who is considered the "next generation ace" from the group known as the "Sakamichi Series," and a graduate (Sugai) who also served as captain. Here we introduce the Sakamichi members who became "Taiga actresses" as the predecessors of Inoue and Sugai.
◇ Mai Fukagawa plays the role of Princess Kazunomiya six years after "Hana Moyu" and "demonically expresses her emotions"
The history of the Sakamichi Series' appearances in taiga dramas began exactly 10 years ago, in 2015 with "Hana Moyu."
Inoue Mao plays the lead role of Yoshida Shoin's younger sister, Fumie, and ten popular members of Nogizaka46, the "eldest daughter" of the Sakamichi series, appeared in this work. The cast included Ikoma Rina, Shiraishi Mai, Mai Shiraishi, Wakatsuki Yumi, Sakurai Reika, Akimoto Manatsu, Fukagawa Mai, Nishino Nanase, Ikuta Erika, and Hashimoto Nanami, and this was the first time for all of them to appear in a taiga drama. The so-called "Ten Lucky Gods" played maids in the "inner palace" of the Choshu clan, also known as the "castle of women," in the 29th episode of the drama, which became a hot topic at the time.
All 10 members, including Ikoma and Shiraishi, have already graduated from the group. All except Hashimoto, who has retired from the entertainment industry, are active in their own fields, but Fukagawa will be cast in a taiga drama again in six years.
The work is "Seiten wo Tsuke", which aired in 2021 and stars Ryo Yoshizawa. The story depicts Eiichi Shibusawa, known as the "father of Japanese capitalism", continuing to pursue what modern Japan should be, using "meticulous calculations" and "sincerity towards people" as weapons. Fukagawa plays Kazunomiya, the wife of Tokugawa Iemochi, the 14th shogun of the Edo shogunate.
Kazunomiya is the younger sister of Emperor Komei (Onoue Ukon). Although she had been engaged since childhood, the marriage with Shogun Iemochi emerged as a symbol of the Shogunate's goal of uniting the Imperial Court and the Shogunate. Kazunomiya firmly refused, but was unable to accept the marriage and reluctantly gave up the marriage. However, upon coming into contact with Iemochi's sincere personality, she gradually opens up to him... This is her role.
During the 9th episode, which was her first appearance, comments were made on social media such as, "Maimai will be appearing alone in a taiga drama. It's a tearjerker," "It's an emotional feeling to see Fukagawa Mai appearing in a taiga drama," "Maimai playing the role of Princess Kazunomiya in a taiga drama...it's very moving," "Fukagawa Mai has become a taiga drama actress...this was a memorable episode," and "It's amazing how much Fukagawa Mai has made, appearing in a taiga drama and playing Princess Kazunomiya as if it's the most natural thing in the world."
Fukagawa embodied the disappointment and sadness of Princess Kazunomiya when Iemochi passed away in episode 20. In the scene where her hatred for Yoshinobu, who was inevitably to become the next Shogun, grows and she utters a curse-like phrase, "Next, let Yoshinobu suffer," Fukagawa, who is affectionately known to fans as "The Virgin Mary," surprised viewers with her "fierce facial expression acting."
◇ "Oda Nobunaga's Daughter" features Kubo Shiori and Kosaka Nao in one scene of "forbidden love"
Two years after "Reach Beyond the Blue Sky," "What Will Ieyasu Do?" will air in 2023, and will feature fellow Nogizaka46 member Kubo Fumiori.
Naturally, the regular appearance of this active idol in the important role of Gotoku, Nobunaga's daughter who married Ieyasu's eldest son, Nobuyasu, attracted attention, but her dignified portrayal of "Nobunaga's daughter" such as when she forcefully retorts to Ieyasu's wife, Sena, "I'm the daughter of Oda Nobunaga. How rude!" and when she silences Ooka Yashiro, who has been captured after failing in a plot, with a single stab from a stick, seems to have contributed to the excitement of the story.
And in the still-fresh-in-our-memories drama "To Dear Radiance (Hikaru Kimi e)", which aired in 2024, Hinatazaka46's Nao Kosaka appeared as the Middle Captain of Saiin.
Saiin no Chujo is the daughter of Minamoto no Tamemichi. She serves Princess Nobuko, the tenth daughter of the 62nd Emperor Murakami. She plays Fujiwara no Korenori's lover, and Kosaka's role challenges her in an "unforgivable love." Although she only appears in one scene in episode 35, she later said that she took on the challenge "with the hope that the viewers would be able to feel the forbidden love between Korenori and the man who finally met the person he wanted to meet."
Inoue and Sugai, who have been confirmed to appear in "Toyotomi Brothers!", are so-called regular cast members following Fukagawa and Kubo. What kind of acting and expressions will they show us in the world of taiga dramas in about a year?
