The 21st episode of the NHK Taiga drama " UNBOUND (Berabou) " (General TV, Sunday 8pm and others), starring actor Ryusei Yokohama , titled "Ezo no Sakura Ueno no Heoto", was broadcast on June 1st, with Ito Atsushi appearing as the second generation Oogamiya Ichibei. Following the first generation who passed away and "left" the show in the 19th episode (broadcast on May 18th), Ito, who plays the second generation Oogamiya Ichibei, revealed, "I received a lot of messages from friends and acquaintances saying, 'Oogamiya has died, he won't be appearing anymore,' so I spent the last two weeks hoping for the 21st episode to air as soon as possible!"
After the death of the first Ooya Ichibei, the second generation takes over the brothel that Ichibei established. When he learns that the popular courtesan in his employ, Daresode, has set her sights on Tanuma Okitomo buyer, he cooperates with her in her secret political maneuverings.
"When I was first offered the role of Ooyamaya, I was also offered the role of the second generation. I am very honored to be able to play the second generation as well," says Ito.
"I struggled a lot about how to express the character's changes," he said, adding, "I hope to create a character that will warm the hearts of viewers, and that will give them a sense of kindness within his strictness."
She also apologized in advance, saying, "I am very sorry if this makes you think that the first and second generation are almost the same!" She then appealed to viewers, saying, "The same person is playing both roles. In that regard, I would like to ask you to please accept this with an open heart and to continue watching Tsutae's life, which is still to come, until the very end."
"UNBOUND (Berabou)" is the 64th taiga drama, depicting the life of Tsutaya Juzaburo(or "Tsutajyu" for short), who is said to have built the foundations of Japan's media industry and pop culture. The script was written by Yoshiko Morishita, known for "Drama 10 'Ooku'" which was broadcast on NHK two years ago and became a big hit.
