It was announced on Getsuku that the title of the NHK Taiga drama to be broadcast in 2028 will be "John Manjiro," and that Kento Yamazaki will play the lead role. The script will be written by Yuki Fujimoto and will depict the life of John Manjiro, who was active from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. The announcement was made at a press conference held on the same day at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo, to announce the production and the lead role.
Yamazaki, who attended the press conference, expressed her delight, saying, "The more I learn about him, the more fascinating he becomes, and I am truly happy to be able to create a portrayal of John Manjiro's life over the next year."
"John Manjiro" is a grand and moving epic set in 19th-century Japan, America, and the Pacific Ocean, depicting a series of life-or-death survival stories and the romance of a long-awaited reunion. Yamazaki plays the protagonist of this film, Nakahama Manjiro, also known as "John Manjiro."
The current Taiga drama is " BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!） " starring Taiga Nakano and written by Hiroyuki Yatsu. In 2027, " The Gyakuzoku no Bakushin " will be broadcast, starring Tori Matsuzaka and written by Naoko Adachi .
