NHK's taiga drama " UNBOUND (Berabou) " (NHK General TV, Sunday 8pm and others), starring Ryusei Yokohama , will have its final episode on December 14th. Photos and comments from the 14 main cast members have been released all at once. Katsumi Takahashi, who plays Surugaya Ichiemon, said, "Everyone, you're all smiling with the flowers you received today to celebrate the wrap-up, but you'll be called back again! See you all in ' UNBOUND 2'."
"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:
◇ Shota Sometani as Kitagawa Utamaro
Being able to live as Utamaro and spend time with the UNBOUND staff and cast, as well as Tsutae, allowed me to experience many emotions I had never known before, which has become a treasure for me as both an actor and a person. I am truly grateful to everyone. Thank you very much.
◇ Ai AI Hashimoto
I joined the show midway through, and had been enjoying watching it as a viewer since the first episode, so I felt a lot of pressure thinking, "I'm going to appear from here," but (scriptwriter) Yoshiko Morishita sensei has portrayed Tei-san as a truly wonderful and charming character, and the final episode made me feel like I was able to convey my thoughts about entertainment through Tei-san's words. I hope it reaches the hearts of many people. And to Japan's No. 1 husband! Thank you so much for all your hard work over the years! Thank you so much, everyone!
◇ Masana Bokuzo, who plays Matsubaya Hanzaemon
Thank you to everyone for your hard work! I'm grateful that everyone was so kind to a man with such thin eyebrows. Ryusei-san, thank you so much for your hard work. Everyone! Thank you very much!
◇ Atsushi Ito as Ichibei Ooya
Ryusei-kun, thank you so much for all your hard work over the years. It was truly like a dream to be able to play two generations and appear in a taiga drama for a whole year. I am so grateful for all the support you all gave me, with costumes and makeup, to make the first and second generations look as different as possible. I never thought I would be able to do the sparrow dance as the second generation, but it has become a very fond memory. My only regret is the third generation. It took a bit of preparation for the role, so I guess I'll have to do that another time (laughs). Thank you so much for all your hard work, everyone. Thank you so much.
◇Yamaji Kazuhiro, who plays Ogiya Uemon
I think it was around August when I saw Ryusei-kun stumbling on a flat, empty surface during filming at Koshodo, and I really thought that everyone must be really tired. Then, the day before yesterday, during filming, I saw Ryusei-kun walking briskly in front of me. I was so happy to see him, but at the same time, I felt a little sad that it was finally coming to an end. It was in September that I learned that (in real life) Tsutaya Juzaburo and Ogiya were only six years apart in age. Today's scene ended with me looking like an old man with one foot in the coffin (laughs). Thank you all so much for your hard work over the past year and a half.
◇ Yumi Adachi, who plays Ritsu
Thank you to everyone for your hard work. Thank you to Ryusei-kun for your hard work. At first, I was a little nervous being thrown into the middle of the intimidating, senior members of the Bohachi crew, but everyone was really kind and the set was peaceful, so I had a lot of fun. It was my first taiga drama in 26 years, and I was very happy to be able to participate from start to finish. Thank you very much.
◇Naoko Iijima as Fuji
I think Ryusei-kun was a truly wonderful leader. To all the staff and cast, thank you for your hard work over the years. In fact, I wrapped up filming a few months ago, so this is the second time I've received flowers. I'm very sorry. This is my first taiga drama, my first period drama, so I was very nervous. However, I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to appear in this wonderful drama, a taiga drama that Japan is proud of. Thank you very much.
◇ Jun Hashimoto as Jun Hashimoto
I participated as an artist, and recently I've only been apologizing on behalf of my students, but as the final episode draws near, I'm glad I was able to draw again after such a long time. Ryusei-kun, thank you so much for all your hard work. I was really impressed by how Ryusei-kun wanted to "make this work even just a little better" despite his busy schedule, and it really inspired me. I'm really glad I was able to participate. Thank you all so much for your hard work. Thank you very much.
◇ Kenjiro Tsuda
I never thought I'd be playing a character in their 20s when I was over 50, and I thought it was amazing that a historical drama could overcome that with just the line, "I look old" (laughs). Although the filming period was short, it was a truly fulfilling and enjoyable time. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
◇Yoshio Inoue, who plays Yoshio Inoue
I was only there for about the last month, but everyone was so calm and welcoming. I'm so grateful to have been able to be a part of the atmosphere that everyone had created over the previous year and five months. Tomorrow, Furukawa and I will be playing the Grim Reaper in the musical, and I'd like to keep my topknot on tomorrow (laughs). Thank you so much.
◇Yuda Furukawa as Masaaki Kitao
This was my first time appearing in a taiga drama, and I am truly glad that it was "UNBOUND." I have nothing but gratitude for the staff and cast who supported me and portrayed the character of Sankyoden (Seien) in such a compelling way. I myself have a rather gloomy personality, but after living as Seien for a year, my private life has also become a little brighter. On set, I often heard people say, "You seem a little brighter," and I was very happy that we were able to communicate smoothly from that point on. It's all thanks to the experiences and encounters that "UNBOUND" gave me. Thank you so much.
◇Toshinori Omi, who plays Kizoji Houseido
Wow, that was a long one. Thank you for your hard work, Tsutaju! I had a lot of fun doing some silly things like "Find Maa-san" and Orochi in a dream. Everyone, thank you so much for all your help. Thank you so much.
◇ Shunsuke Kazama, who plays Tsuruya Kiemon
At the beginning, I was told that "Eventually Tsuruya will become friends with Tsutaju and walk together," but around the middle I thought "They don't get along that well, will that day ever come?" But as the story progressed, in the end Tsutaju and I were able to form a buddy-like relationship, and those were really happy days. I think it was the accumulation of days that was possible only because it was such a long story. I am truly happy to have had the opportunity to take part in such a wonderful work. Thank you very much.
◇ Katsumi Takahashi as Surugaya Ichiemon
Thank you so much to everyone for your hard work. We were able to wrap up filming safely thanks to the leader, Ryusei-kun's belief that "live the role." Looking back, I actually had a wig special makeup done at first, but we wondered if it was really necessary, so Rokuhei and I were the only ones without latex. And everyone, you're all smiling and happy after receiving flowers today to mark the wrap-up, but you'll be called in again! See you all in "UNBOUND 2."
