The final episode (episode 48) of the 2025 NHK Taiga drama " UNBOUND (Berabou), " starring actor Ryusei Yokohama , aired on December 14th, depicting the "final moments" of Hitotsubashi Harusame (Ikuta Toma). He was struck by lightning and died in an unexpected way.
" UNBOUND (Berabou)" is the 64th taiga drama, depicting 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 Yoshiko Morishita, known for her work on the popular drama "Drama 10: Ooku," which aired on NHK two years ago.
Jisei is forced to drink a "sleeping poison" and secretly sent to an isolated island in Awa, but on the way there he says he needs to relieve himself, and when his restraints are released he escapes and heads towards the river. Laughing, he raises the wakizashi he has stolen and says, "Wait for me... you puppets," vowing revenge on those who framed him, but at that moment he is struck by lightning and killed.
Previously, as Ieharu (Hidekazu Mashima) was dying he warned Harumasa, "Listen, heaven is watching! Heaven will not tolerate any arrogance that misrepresents heaven's name. From now on, I am also a part of heaven. Don't ever forget that I am watching over you." The events unfolded exactly as he said, with viewers reacting on social media with comments such as "Whaaaaaat... Such an end," "What an unexpected turn of events. Lightning," and "Death by lightning - quite novel," as well as comments such as "Heaven is watching," "Divine punishment," and "Lord Ieharu's lightning was the final blow."
It was also said that a "man with a strange topknot" was standing next to Jisei's body, and comments such as "Jisai's end, with lightning striking his head, was reminiscent of Hiraga Gennai from Elekiteru, it was so much like divine punishment, it was amazing..." "The man with the strange topknot who was next to him when the lightning struck was Hiraga Gennai. If the lightning was Elekiteru, it would make sense...right?" "Gennai-sensei came riding on a dragon to punish him" and "I see, it's the curse of Elekiteru (lol)" were also posted.
