The 12th episode of the NHK Taiga drama "BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）" (NHK General, Sundays at 8 PM, etc.), starring actor Taiga Nakano, aired on March 29th. In this episode, the actor playing Naotsune Endo, who "whispers" something to Nagamasa Asai (Ayumu Nakajima), drew a reaction from fans of the Asadora.
"BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）" is the 65th Taiga drama. With Toyotomi Hidenaga (Koichiro) as the protagonist, it depicts the miraculous feat of unifying Japan together with his older brother Hideyoshi (Tokichiro) through their strong bond, a success story of dreams and hopes.
In episode 12, Nobunaga (Shun Oguri Oguri) presents Yoshiaki (Ukon Onoe) with the Fujito Stone, known as the "stone of the ruler of Japan." However, Yoshiaki is beginning to realize that he and Nobunaga have different goals.
Meanwhile, Fujikichiro (Sosuke Ikematsu) is appointed as the Kyoto Magistrate. Fujikichiro and Koichiro, busy with their duties, are taken by Nobunaga one day to visit Odani Castle where Ichi (Aoi Miyazaki) is staying. Nagamasa (Ayumu Nakajima) and Ichi seem happy, but behind the scenes, Nagamasa's father, Hisamasa (Takaaki Enoki), who does not think highly of the Oda clan, is making suspicious moves...and so the story unfolds.
Nagamasa is asked by Nobunaga to "protect Ichi and her child." Just then, Nagamasa's senior retainer, Naotsune, appears. Naotsune approaches Nagamasa and whispers something to him. It seems to be a summons from Hisamasa, and Nagamasa tries to refuse, saying he is entertaining Nobunaga, but Nobunaga tells Nagamasa, "Don't worry about me. Go."
The actor playing Naotsune is Kanata Irei. This will be his first appearance in a Taiga drama. Irei is also known for his role as Masanobu Takafuji, a former businessman from the Satsuma domain who falls in love at first sight with the heroine Sueko (Minami Hamabe) in the Asadora drama "Ranman" (first half of 2023), three years ago. Takafuji was nicknamed "Yaba-fuji" (Dangerous Takafuji) because of his somewhat abusive character, so Asadora fans have reacted positively to Irei's appearance.
On social media, comments included "Irei Kanata?", "Oh, it's Irei Kanata!", "Endo Naotsune!!!", "Irei Kanata is appearing today!", and "Kanata-kun is here", as well as comments like "Ah, Yaba-Fuji", "Yaba-Fuji, also known as Kanata-kun, in a place like this", "Isn't that Yaba-Fuji!", and "Yaba-Fuji has arrived!".
