"The Royal Family"

The TBS Sunday Theatre drama "The Royal Family" (Sundays at 9pm) starring actor Satoshi Tsumabuki will begin airing on October 12th. Filming took place over a two-week period in the Hidaka region of Hokkaido, one of Japan's leading racehorse breeding areas, and Tsumabuki, Koichi Sato and Ren Meguro have provided comments on the production.

The drama is based on the novel of the same name by Kazuma Hayami. Eiji Kurisu (Tsumabuki) has always looked up to his father, who runs a tax accounting firm, but after a certain incident he experiences setbacks as a tax accountant and loses hope. However, when he meets Kozo Sanno (Sato), a horse owner, his life, which had come to a sudden halt, begins to move forward... This is the story.

In the Hidaka region, important scenes that mark the start of Kurisu's life, which had been at a standstill, were filmed, including the scene in the first episode where Kurisu and Kozo meet for the first time at an auction, and the scene where Kurisu accidentally meets his ex-girlfriend Kanako (Wakana Matsumoto).

Local Hidaka residents participated as extras in the scenes at the auction, along with the actual auction staff and horse owners.

◇Comment from Satoshi Tsumabuki

Filming with horses doesn't always go smoothly if it's just for the convenience of the humans, but I think I was able to capture a moment of emotional connection with the horses. Filming in Hokkaido was so rainy that the locals said, "This doesn't usually happen here" (laughs). But even the rain seemed to link well with the emotions, and I really feel that the land of Hokkaido has really helped me out.

I was able to film with the people of Hidaka at the auction site, and I believe some of them were actual horse owners, and they all understood the excitement of a real auction, so it really helped that filming went smoothly. Every day through filming, I learn that there is a history that is passed down through the hopes of many people. I hope that this drama will awaken the passion hidden within you.

◇Comment from Koichi Sato

I've shot many productions with horses, and I've been riding horses for nearly half a century now, but horses are so delicate that this time I was reminded once again that we all have to be very careful when working with them. I think this is a truly new type of drama. I think everyone will be able to enjoy the drama, including what happens to humans when horses come into contact with them.

◇ Comment from Ren Meguro

Today was my first time shooting with a horse, and I didn't even know when the camera started rolling, so I was able to interact with nature without any preparation, which I think was a rare experience. I would like to see more places in Hokkaido, and I would like to learn many things from my seniors and the people around me in terms of acting.

Through this drama, I was reminded that racehorses are the product of the feelings of many people. I think viewers will be able to feel that as well, so I hope you will enjoy it.