The final episode of the TV Asahi drama series "Reborn ~The Last Hero~" (Tuesdays at 9 PM), starring actor Issei Takahashi, aired on June Getsuku, and a certain fact depicted in the final scene caused a stir on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers.
The "fateful day" approaches when Mitsunori Neo (Takahashi) is pushed off a cliff by someone and reincarnated as Hideto Nomoto (Takahashi in a dual role). Living as Hideto, Mitsunori prevents the tragedy of Sarasa's (Nakamura Anne) father, Kanehira (Yanagisawa Shingo), taking his own life. However, NEOXIS's plan to acquire the land of Akari Shopping Street proceeds, and Hideto's father, Eiji (Fumiyo Kohinata), decides to accept the eviction of Akari Shopping Street.
February 17, 2026, arrived—the fateful day when Mitsumasa, before his reincarnation, fell down the shrine stairs. Mitsumasa, now reincarnated as Eito, hears that Tomono (played by Ouji Suzuka) is missing and heads to the shrine. At the shrine, Mitsumasa and Tomono from this era are arguing, and Mitsumasa, now reincarnated as Eito, finally confronts the Mitsumasa from this era.
Then, Mitsumasa, in this era, reveals that he was afraid of Hideto, saying, "Because you are Mitsumasa Neo, after all." Furthermore, Mitsumasa confesses that he has been playing the role of Mitsumasa Neo, using diaries and videos as clues. Upon hearing this, Hideto realizes that the Mitsumasa in front of him is actually Hideto, who has been reincarnated.
Eito, who has been reincarnated as Kosei, reveals that as he lived as Kosei, he gradually came to think like the Kosei he was before his reincarnation. Eito (with Kosei's mind) says, "A person's character changes depending on where they are and who they are with," and further explains that his fall down the stairs before his reincarnation was due to his own delusion, and that he wasn't pushed by someone, but rather fell on his own because he had despaired about the future. He then says, "The future can be changed," but Eito, who has been reincarnated as Kosei, says, "I'm tired of this," and tries to fall down the stairs. However, Eiji, who was below, catches him.
Later, Hideto, who has been reincarnated as Mitsumasa, nominates Tomono as his successor and resigns as president of NEOXIS. Meanwhile, Mitsumasa, who has been reincarnated as Hideto, learns that the shopping district will be revived in a different location and that Sarasa's painting has been selected as the grand prize winner of a competition, and he celebrates with Eiji and others, bumping his head on the shoji screen. Afterwards, he takes a walk along the river with Sarasa, tells her, "I'm glad I was born here," and smiles as he gently rests his head on Sarasa's shoulder.
Towards the end, the scene shifts to Eiji's house, where the people from the shopping district are having a party. Eiji picks up the crying baby and comforts him, saying, "Hideo, it's going to be alright," and Sarasa takes the baby and goes to the Buddhist altar. A portrait of Hideto is displayed there, and Sarasa murmurs, "We're all able to be like this because of Hideto." In response, Eiji says, "Hideto has always been..." and Tomono says, "He was our hero."
On social media, many people expressed confusion over the ending of the final episode. Comments included: "What does that mean?", "What?! He's dead! Hideto!!", "Too sad, I can't handle it", "Huh? Huh?", "Did he pay the price...", "I'm so shocked I'm speechless", "The ending is full of questions", "Did Neo and Hideto switch places when he hit his head on the shoji screen and then return to normal?", and "The ending is too mysterious and such a twist." There were also comments about the baby that appeared at the end, such as "Whose child is it?", "Could that baby be a reincarnation?", and "Could he have been reborn as a baby?", touching on the possibility of a new "reincarnation".
