The first episode of the NHK Taiga drama "Toyotomi Brothers!" (General TV, Sundays at 8:00 PM and other times), starring actor Nakano Taiga, titled "Two Monkeys," will be broadcast on January 4, 2026, with an extended run of 15 minutes. The story centers on Toyotomi Hidenaga, and depicts the miracle of the Toyotomi brothers, who, together with his older brother Hideyoshi, achieve the great feat of unifying Japan through their strong bond. There are only five days until the start of the series. Here, we introduce the protagonist, Koichiro (Toyotomi Hidenaga), played by Nakano.
Koichiro was the younger brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the great ruler of Japan. He was said to be the "greatest aide in the world" who wholeheartedly supported his brother in his quest to rule the country.
Born into a poor farming family in Nakamura, Owari, he lived a peaceful life until he was dragged into the enticement of his forceful older brother and was forced to become a samurai. He was good at settling disputes amicably and disliked conflict, but his quick thinking and ability to mediate caught the eye of Oda Nobunaga, who entrusted him with important missions along with his brother.
In the first episode, "Two Monkeys," Koichiro (Nakano), born into a poor farming family in Nakamura, Owari, spends his days contentedly cultivating the fields and living with the soil. One day, a group of bandits attacks the village, and his childhood friend, Nao (Shiraishi Sei), is about to be kidnapped. His brother, Tokichiro (Ikematsu Sosuke), returns to the village after an eight-year absence and saves him from peril.
The story goes that Tokichiro, who dreams of becoming a great success in the service of the young Sengoku warlord Oda Nobunaga (Shun Oguri Shun), asks Koichiro to become his retainer.
