NHK's historical drama "BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）", starring Taiga Nakano (Sundays at 8 PM, etc.), aired its 16th episode on April 26th, titled "Resolve at Mount Hiei," which, as the subtitle suggests, depicted the infamous "Burning of Mount Hiei." In the final scenes, as the temple's main hall was engulfed in flames, Fujikichiro (Sosuke Ikematsu) witnessed a pile of corpses and the figure of Mitsuhide (Jun Kaname), who had been forced to "take the lives of countless innocent people" there. This gruesome scene has led to comments from viewers such as "The shonen manga plot is over," but what will the outcome be...?
◇There was no other way but to obey Nobunaga... Mitsuhide stained his own hands with blood.
"BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）" is the 65th Taiga drama. It is a success story of dreams and hope, depicting the miracle of the Toyotomi brothers, Toyotomi Hidenaga (Koichiro) and his older brother Hideyoshi (Tokichiro), who, together with their strong bond, achieve the great feat of unifying Japan. The script is written by Hiroyuki Yatsu, known for "Hanzawa Naoki" (TBS) and the Asadora"Ochoyan". The music is composed by Hideaki Kimura, and the narration is provided by actress Sakura Ando.
In the 16th episode, Fujikichiro undertakes the task of persuading Miyabe Tsuguyoshi (Donpei-san), a loyal retainer of the Asai clan. Tsuguyoshi says he will side with the Oda clan if Fujikichiro sends his son as a hostage.
Having no children of his own, Fujikichiro tries to offer Tomo's (Emma Miyazawa) son, Manmaru, but Tomo is furious. Desperate, Fujikichiro entrusts the task of persuading her to Koichiro (Nakano). Meanwhile, the defeated Nagamasa (Ayumu Nakajima) and Asakura Yoshikage (Shingo Tsurumi) take refuge in Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei. Nobunaga (Shun Oguri Oguri) orders Mitsuhide to burn down the temple if they do not submit to the Oda.
Mitsuhide, believing he has no choice but to obey Nobunaga to fulfill his promise to Yoshiaki (played by Onoe Ukon) to restore the Ashikaga shogunate, is prepared to stain his hands with blood. Meanwhile, Fujikichiro tries to help women and children escape, even at the cost of defying Nobunaga's orders. Fujikichiro then witnesses a horrific sight in the temple's main hall, engulfed in flames, a pile of corpses including many "innocents"...and the story unfolds from there.
◇Increased serious developments that, in a good way, weigh heavily on the heart.
In last week's episode 15, "The Great Battle of Anegawa," which depicted the Battle of Anegawa between the Oda-Tokugawa forces and the Asakura-Asai forces, the scene of Koichiro collapsing to his knees beside Fujikichiro after the battle, standing before the Anegawa River "stained red" by the setting sun and blood, and saying "This is hell," was also memorable. Now viewers have been shown a "scene of hell" for two consecutive weeks.
By simple calculation, the drama, which will continue until December, has now reached exactly one-third of its broadcast. This work has been described as "like a shonen manga," with some ridicule for its excessively lighthearted tone, in addition to the appeal and dynamism of the ensemble drama featuring the bonds between the brothers Koichiro and Fujikichiro and their family and friends, as well as the people living in the Sengoku period, not just the warlords. However, it seems that the serious developments befitting a "Sengoku story," which weigh heavily on the heart in a good way, have increased significantly at this point.
Next, in the 17th episode, "The Fall of Odani Castle," airing on May 3rd, Nobunaga will once again launch an attack on the Asai and Asakura clans. Odani Castle is the "final resting place" of Nagamasa. This episode is sure to be unmissable. (Fumio Kishitani/MANTANWEB)
