The 10th episode of the drama series "Light of My Lion" (TBS, Friday 10pm) starring actor Yuya Yagira was broadcast on December 13th. Osamu Mukai's facial expressions as Shogo became a hot topic.
◇The following contains spoilers
Shogo is abandoned by his brother-in-law Haruichi (Kuroda Daisuke), who is also the company president. Having lost his place, Shogo takes Lion (Tasuku Sato) to the place where he used to live. When Lion tells Shogo that the entrance to the building is closed, Shogo mutters sadly, "I see, it's gone now. There's no place for Dad anymore."
Hiroto (Yagira), who finally reaches the lion's location, pleads with Shogo, "Please don't involve this child any more!"
However, Shogo tries to take the lion away, saying, "You just met my son yesterday and today, so don't act like you're family! I've always lived only for my family. For that reason...I've done everything. You could never understand."
After taking the lion back from Shogo, Hiroto asks, "I don't want to understand! Even though I don't want to understand, I'm sure I'm making the same mistake. You say you're doing it for the other person, but in the end you're tying them down for your own sake, saying 'because we're family'. Wasn't there a time when you loved purely? A time when you had nothing but honest compassion. But that feeling has become increasingly far-fetched, and you've actually noticed it, haven't you?"
"It would be easy if I could just get it over with without noticing, but I'm sure that won't work," Hiroto added.
"I just love this child..." Shogo tries to explain, but the words don't come out. As the sound of a police car rumbles, he looks sadly at the lion's face as it leaves with Kouto.
On social media, people were talking about the role, saying things like, "Osamu Mukai was great for that role. It had to be Osamu Mukai for that role. The expression on the father's face at the end, who had always looked like a Noh mask, is burned into my memory and I can't get it out of my head," "Osamu Mukai's acting when he says goodbye to the lion was incredibly powerful and amazing. He's good," "It was great that they cast Osamu Mukai, only Osamu Mukai could play that indescribable role," "Osamu Mukai as Tachibana Shogo is amazing," and "Tachibana Shogo and Osamu Mukai were a great choice."
