The NHK Taiga drama " UNBOUND (Berabou) " (General TV, Sundays at 8pm and others), starring Ryusei Yokohama , will have its final episode on December 14th. Among the main cast members, Ikuta Toma as Hitotsubashi Harusada/Saito Jurobei, Inoue Nakamura Hayato Hayato as Hasegawa Heizo Nobuyoshi, and Nakamura Aoi as Jirobei, have all released photos and comments from the wrap-up of filming.
"UNBOUND (Berabou)" is the 64th taiga drama and depicts the life of Tsutaya Juzaburo(or "Tsutajyu" for short), who is said to have laid the foundations for Japan's media industry and pop culture. The script was written by Morishita, who is known for his work on the highly talked-about "Drama 10: Ooku," which aired on NHK two years ago.
The final episode (episode 48) will be titled "Tsutajueika no Yumebanashi" (Tsutajueika's Dream Story) and will be broadcast on December 14th with an extended run of 15 minutes.
The main cast's comments after finishing filming are as follows:
◇ Toma Ikuta as Haruhisa Hitotsubashi/Jurobei Saito
Thank you for your hard work! I was given such a fun role, and two roles in particular, so I was very happy with the time I spent there. I know it's going to be tough for everyone in the final sprint, but I hope you'll keep going until the very end. Thank you very much. I'll be off now!
◇Yuki Inoue, who plays Matsudaira Sadanobu
Looking back now, I have been encouraging myself for the past six months. The day before the recording, I would ask myself, "Are you sure you're okay with this?" and "Are you ready?" and I feel like I have been fighting for the past six months, both as Inoue Yuki and as Matsudaira Sadanobu. I owe it all to the people in all departments that have allowed me to reach this day. Thank you for letting me play Matsudaira Etchu-no-kami and for supporting me until the very end. I am truly grateful for all your help.
◇Sonoda Shota plays the role of Mizuno Tamenaga
At first, my character's name was just a "vassal," but I was given the name "Mizuno Tamenaga," and I was allowed to appear until the final episode, for which I am truly grateful. And what's more, I've been filming together with the lord (Matsudaira Sadanobu)! I've been watching the lord since I was a child, so I'm really happy. It's very moving.
◇Hayato Nakamura as Nakamura Hayato
I played Hasegawa Heizo Nobuyoshi, a character familiar to fans of period dramas. From the very first episode, there were some rough moments, and even in serious scenes there was a strong element of comedy, so I was teased and called "Kamohei." After about a year and a half, I was able to become an Arson and Theft Investigation Officer, and I think I managed to live out Heizo's life to the fullest. This is all thanks to everyone's support. Thank you very much!
◇ Naoki Matayoshi, who plays Iimori Inn
When I think about how the current Japanese publishing industry exists thanks to the seniors who appear in this story, I can't help but feel that it's not something that just doesn't concern me. Starting today, I want to return to the present and create interesting works that are just as good as those seniors. Thank you!
◇ Ota Nanpo as Kenta Kiritani
The start of filming began with a fart, and the end of filming also ended with a fart. I have truly enjoyed my "UNBOUND" life. I have nothing but gratitude. Thank you very much.
◇ Tsubasa Nakagawa
I'm really happy to be able to wrap up filming surrounded by such a wonderful cast. This time in "UNBOUND," I spent a lot of time with Ryusei Yokohama and AI Hashimoto, and I really admired them and wanted to follow in their footsteps, so I hope to come back here again when I've grown up. I'll do my best. Thank you for your hard work.
◇Kukkie, who plays Katsukawa Haruo
I'm happy. I'm happy. I'm happy. I couldn't be more honored. I'm truly happy from the bottom of my heart. Thank you very much.
◇Fumikazu Hamanaka, who plays Shura Sugae
Thank you to everyone for your hard work. Thank you to Ryusei for your hard work over the past year and a half. See you all again. Thank you very much.
◇Yamaguchi Morihiro, who plays Kararai Sanwa
I was really happy that my first appearance in a taiga drama was in "UNBOUND." I really loved "UNBOUND," a story about a man who fights against the world not with a sword, but with art. And more than anything, I had a lot of fun acting with everyone every day. Thank you so much.
◇Takashima Goshi as Masami Kitao
Thank you to everyone for your hard work. I'm grateful that I was able to film with you all until the final episode. I'm also really glad that Masami's head has become bald and he's been promoted (laughs). Thank you everyone.
◇ Motono Mokuami Onoda, who plays Motokiami
I am very grateful to be appearing in a taiga drama for the first time at the age of 65. At first, I thought I would only appear once as the bathhouse owner, but I shaved my head and appeared again as the kyoka poet Motono Mokuami. I am truly grateful to everyone. Thank you to Ryusei for your hard work. Thank you very much.
◇ Hideomi Shima, who plays Chojiya Chojuro
Thinking back to April, when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom on location, I received flowers saying, "We're wrapping up filming for now," and I received flowers again today, for the second time. I've had many fulfilling days over the past year and a half. Thank you very much. Everyone, thank you for your hard work.
◇ Wataru Takagi, who plays Yabei Matsumuraya
I had a lot of fun and was happy spending time with Ryusei-san, the rest of the cast, and the staff. Thank you so much. I'm really happy I was able to appear until the final episode. I would like to continue to liven up the show by narrating the related mini-program "UNBOUND Navi Kawaraban" and the Taiga Drama Museum, so I hope you will continue to support me in the future. Thank you very much!
◇Tomokazu Seki, who plays Genroku Okumuraya
Thank you all for your hard work. Thank you very much. Like Wataru Takagi , I also work as a voice actor, but tomorrow at 10am I will be working hard on the recording of " UNBOUND na Warai", a related program to " UNBOUND " (laughs). I hope you will continue to support UNBOUND!
◇Yoji Matsuda, who plays Jirobei Murataya
I am very happy to be back on the set of a taiga drama after such a long time. I had a great time reminiscing about my time as a child actor in "Tokugawa Ieyasu" and "Kusa Muneru." Thank you very much.
◇Jirobei: Aoi Nakamura
Ryusei, thank you so much for your hard work. And thank you to all the staff for your hard work too. I've been in the series since the first episode, and I've been filming with the dream of being in it until the final episode, so I'm really happy that I was able to be in it until today, the final episode. I've had the opportunity to wear beautiful costumes every episode, play various instruments, and have so many memories that I could talk about it for a long time (laughs). As everyone continues to grow, there have been times when I wondered if I should continue like this, but I played the role hoping that by Jirobei living a happy life, it would be a tribute to those who lived in this era. Thank you very much.
