The NHK Taiga drama "BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）", starring actor Taiga Nakano (NHK General, Sundays at 8 PM, etc.), aired its 21st episode, "Turbulent Times! Takeda Castle," on May 31st. In this episode, viewers were particularly drawn to the appearance of Takenaka Hanbei, played by Masaki Suda.
In episode 21, Hideyoshi (Sosuke Ikematsu) and Koichiro (Nakano) take over the conquest of Harima, which is caught between the Oda and Mori clans, in place of Araki Murashige (Tortoise Matsumoto).
It seemed like a difficult mission, but through Murashige's mediation, Kodera Kanbei (played by Yuki Kura), the castellan of Himeji Castle, skillfully won over the local lords of Harima to the Oda side. Following Hanbei's (played by Masaki Suda) plan, Hideyoshi decided to advance his troops further west, heading towards western Harima...and so the story unfolded.
In this episode, Kodera Kanbei-no-jo Takataka, later known as Kuroda Kanbei-no-jo Takataka, makes his first appearance, bringing together the two Kanbei, known for their strategic brilliance. There is also an exchange in which Hanbei seems to be testing Kanbei's abilities.
When Hideyoshi asked Hanbei, "What's wrong? You knew what you were doing when you tested Kanbei, so there's no need to make that face," Hanbei replied with an unreadable expression, "It annoys me a little when you act so smug." To Hideyoshi's words, "Kodera Kanbei is quite an interesting man," he replied self-deprecatingly, "I'm just a boring man anyway."
Seeing Hanbei's demeanor, Hideyoshi asked, "Is something bothering you?" Hanbei replied with a smile, "It seems I will never become a proper ruler. I simply find warfare incredibly enjoyable..."
In this episode, Sugada made many funny faces. However, many viewers were more concerned about Hanbei's complexion, and comments on social media included: "Doesn't Hanbei already look pale?", "Hanbei looks pale...", "He seems to be in a hurry... oh no", "Hanbei, live longer!!", "The back-and-forth between Hanbei and Kanbei, Hanbei's changing expressions are interesting, but at the same time you can see how anxious he is", and "Hanbei's complexion is clearly getting worse, I'm so worried."
In the preview for the next episode, episode 22, which was released after the main story of episode 21, Hanbei was shown collapsing. At the end of episode 21, it was revealed in a rather suspicious way that Hideyoshi and his men had succeeded in capturing Kozuki Castle, but it is said that Hanbei died of illness during the subsequent attack on Miki Castle.
Viewers have commented, "Hanbei looks really pale. Is it going to be Miki Castle next week?", "The attack on Miki Castle... it's almost time for Hanbei to leave...", "Is the next episode going to be the end for Hanbei...? They're in the middle of the attack on Miki Castle.", and "Takenaka Hanbei dies of illness during the attack on Miki Castle. It's almost time to say goodbye to Sugata Hanbei."
