"Drama 1 Week" brings you the latest drama news from the past week. This week (January 17-23) featured news about Masaki Okada and Shota Sometani co-starring for the sixth time as brothers, and the 2025 NHK Taiga drama "Berabou: Tsutaju Eika no Yumebanashi" winning the Galaxy Award for Television of the Month. This article covers these topics in two parts.
On January 17th, Emma Miyazawa, who plays the older sister Tomo in the 2026 NHK Taiga drama "Toyotomi Brothers!" (NHK General TV, Sundays at 8 PM and other times), appeared at the "Taiga Drama 'Toyotomi Brothers!' Talk Live in Kiyosu" event held at the Kasuga Community Center Large Hall in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture. Regarding Nakano Taiga, who plays the protagonist Koichiro (Hidenaga), and Ikematsu Sosuke, who plays Tōkichirō (Hideyoshi), Miyazawa declared, "In terms of being a people-pleaser, both of them are great people-pleasers." She continued, "Taiga-kun is friendly, has a way of getting close to people, and is an actor who doesn't put up many barriers, so I really respect him as a person. In contrast, Ikematsu-kun is a bit more 'quiet,' he has a more composed side, and he supports Taiga-kun from behind, allowing him to do what he wants, like a big brother."
On the 18th, the third episode of "Toyotomi Brothers!", "The Night Before the Decisive Battle," aired, featuring the first appearance of Matsudaira Motoyasu (Tokugawa Ieyasu) played by Matsushita Kohei. The episode depicted the Okazaki vassals of Imagawa Yoshimoto (played by Otsuru Yoshitani) successfully delivering provisions to Otaka Castle at Yoshimoto's command. The delivery of provisions to Otaka Castle also featured in the first episode of the taiga drama "What Will Ieyasu Do?" three years ago, prompting comments on social media such as, "This is the first episode of 'What Will Ieyasu Do?'" and "The beginning of 'What Will Ieyasu Do?'" Ieyasu's armor also drew attention, with comments such as, "From episode one of 'What Will Ieyasu Do?'! Is that armor from back then too?" and "Matsudaira Motoyasu, the man in the gilded armor! He looks smarter than 'What Will Ieyasu Do?'"
On the 18th, it was revealed that Matsuyama Kenichi will be playing the "pre-reboot" version of Suzuki Ryohei's protagonist in the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Reboot" (Sundays at 9 PM). The surprise announcement was made in the first episode, which aired the same day. This is apparently the first time the two have worked together in earnest. Even before filming began, the two had numerous meetings to discuss each other's habits and approaches to their roles, and Suzuki thoroughly observed Matsuyama's subtle movements and breathing on set to take on the role. Matsuyama would act out scenes played by Suzuki, and vice versa, creating roles that felt seamless and seamlessly like they were playing the same character.
On the 18th, it was revealed that Ken Horiuchi of the comedy duo "Neptune" will be appearing in the third episode (airing January 25th) of the drama series "Punch-Drunk Woman: XX Days Left Until Prison Break" (NTV, Sundays at 10:30 PM), starring Ryoko Shinohara. Horiuchi plays Hiroyuki Mitsuhashi, a pretrial detainee indicted on suspicion of robbery and murder. His character is quiet and isolated from those around him. "When I first read the script, I felt it was a very realistic and tense piece of work. I'm determined to work on it without destroying that worldview," he commented. "Mitsuhashi's humanity and fragility, and the fact that someone is exploiting that... it's surprising. It's very deep. I hope you enjoy watching it."
On the 19th, the ninth episode of NHK's evening drama "Kaedama Bravo!" (General TV, Monday-Thursday 10:45 PM), starring Kita Kana, aired, drawing attention with the appearance of comedian Koume Tayu. Koume plays Yamaki Takeaki, a student at an adult ballet school. Viewers responded on social media with comments like, "Was that guy from the ballet school Koume Tayu?" and "Koume Tayu is just talking like normal." This is Koume's second appearance in a drama on the same network, following "Drama 10 'Tokyo Salad Bowl,'" "Saturday Drama 'I Want to Die Alone,'" and "Taiga Drama 'Berabou - Tsutae Eika no Yumebanashi.'" Comments included, "The great actor Koume Tayu is here," and "NHK really likes seeing Koume Tayu in his natural state."
On the 20th, it was revealed that Okada Masaki will be starring in the TBS drama series "Takusari Brothers" (Fridays at 10pm), which will begin airing in April 2026. The crime suspense drama follows the older brother, a detective played by Okada, and the younger brother, a coroner played by Sometani Shota, as they pursue the truth behind the murder of their parents, just two days apart in a case where the statute of limitations has expired. This marks Okada's first time starring in a drama on the network. This marks the sixth time Okada and Sometani have co-starred. Okada, who had previously been confirmed to appear in this series, reportedly contacted Sometani himself with an enthusiastic offer, and Sometani said that the fact that it was "with Okada" was a major factor in his decision to appear in the drama.
On the 20th, it was announced that the 2025 NHK Taiga drama "Berabou: Tsutaju Eika no Yumebanashi," starring Yokohama Ryusei, won the December 2025 Monthly Award at the Galaxy Awards, which recognize programs, individuals, and organizations that have contributed to the advancement of broadcasting culture. The Galaxy Awards were established in 1963 by the Broadcast Critics Association with the aim of improving the quality of Japanese broadcasting culture. The association commented, "Morishita Yoshiko's script, which portrayed Tsutaju as the entertainment king, was brilliant. Rather than dismissing Yoshiwara as 'non-existent,' the production team's determination and resolve were evident in their straightforward portrayal of how Edo culture blossomed from there. The bizarre developments typical of fiction at the end, and the way they neatly resolved the seemingly unrelated historical events, were nothing short of impressive."
