It was announced on September 19th that actor Ken Yasuda will play the role of Hiraga Gennai in the NHK Taiga drama " UNBOUND - Tsutae Eika no Yume Banashi" starring Ryusei Yokohama , which will begin airing on January 5th, 2025. This will be Yasuda's second time appearing in a Taiga drama, 19 years after " Komyo ga Tsuji" in 2006.
Hiraga Gennai, played by him, is a man of many faces, including a botanist, a comic book writer, a mine developer, and an inventor. He comes up with one cutting-edge idea after another, travels around Japan to realize them, and experiences success and failure, sometimes being called a speculator. Tanuma Okitsugu(Ken Watanabe) is also fascinated by his ideas, and has a special interest in him, entrusting him with a special mission. Tsutaya Juzaburo(Yokohama), the protagonist, also tries to contact Gennai, who has become a celebrity in Edo, to ask him for a job, in order 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 air about him 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 Ken Watanabe. The reason is obvious!"
After playing the role of Hiraga Gennai, he said, "When people around him see people who are called geniuses, they seem a little different. Although his conversation was a little off, I interpret him as a person who was full of humor and charming." Regarding the work, he said, "No matter what happens, we go on living. Why not face things in a fun way? This is a work that makes you think like that. Whether it's something trivial or serious, it is handled with lightness and wit. Grit your teeth, hold back your tears, and be kind to people. 'Teyandee! UNBOUND'. Please be sure to check out ' UNBOUND'."
"UNBOUND - Tsutaya Juzaburou's Dream Story" is the 64th taiga drama, depicting 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 him as "a man of great talent who was born with nothing - no parents, no money, no artistic talent - but became the darling of his time as the 'media king of Edo.'"
