The first episode of the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "The Royal Family" (Sundays at 9pm), starring Satoshi Tsumabuki, was broadcast on October 12th. The scene in which Tsumabuki's character, Kurisu Eiji, bursts into tears became a hot topic among viewers.
◇The following contains spoilers
The drama is based on the novel of the same name by Kazuma Hayami. Eiji Kurisu has always looked up to his father, who runs a tax accounting firm, but after a certain incident he experiences setbacks in his career and loses hope. However, when he meets horse owner Kozo Sanno (Koichi Sato), his life, which had come to a sudden halt, begins to move forward... This is the story.
Kurisu is asked by Royal Human Company to investigate the state of their horse racing division. At the request of Kozo's son Yutaro (Kotaro Koizumi), who is plotting to abolish the horse racing division, Kurisu reports on the abolition as planned. Kozo is forced to withdraw from the horse racing business, and talks progress regarding the abandonment of his horses.
Learning that abandoned horses could be disposed of in the worst case scenario, Kurisu enlists Kozo's help and investigates all the documents kept by the Horse Racing Division. He discovers that Kozo's secretary, Kinjo, has been embezzling funds for the past five years and reports this to the Royal Human Company. Kurisu saves Kozo and his 10 horses, and at the same time, he resigns from his job at the tax accountant's office.
One day, Kurisu is called by Kozo and allowed into the horse's stables, where he is thanked by the trainer and ranch owner Hayashida (Omi Toshinori).
Kurisu revealed to Kozo that her father had passed away a year earlier. "A few years ago, my father asked me if I wanted to come back and work with him. At the time, I couldn't give up the position and reputation I had achieved. I kept running away from my father, thinking that I would return someday," she recalled.
"Then suddenly my father collapsed and passed away. I'm sure he already had a premonition of something when he asked me to come back. But I betrayed him. If I had been able to help him then, I've regretted it for the past year. But today I realized that it's thanks to my father that I'm here today. For the first time, I've been able to be of use to others, as my father said. I've been able to do work that people are grateful for," she said, shedding tears.
On social media, the film was a hot topic, with comments such as, "I was moved to tears by Satoshi Tsumabuki's passionate tears," "I couldn't help but cry at the end," "Satoshi Tsumabuki is perfect for the role of this quietly passionate man," and "It was a wonderful experience right from the first episode."
