The TBS Friday drama "Tagusari Brothers" (Fridays at 10 PM), starring actor Masaki Okada and also featuring Shota Sometani, revealed the truth behind the murder of the parents of brothers Makoto Tagusari (Okada) and Minoru (Sometani) in its ninth episode. Producer Junko Arai, who said "the highlight is what happens to the brothers" in the final episode airing on June 19th, reflected on the filming process.
◇Staff members were moved to tears during the bathhouse scene: "We captured some really great expressions."
"Episodes 8, 9, and 10 were tough to watch. I was filming them with a heavy heart," Arai recalled. Of all the scenes, the one that left the biggest impression on him was the public bath scene in episode 8, featuring the brothers and Mogi Koki (Yamanaka Takashi), the owner of the local Chinese restaurant "Mocchan."
The brothers reasoned, based on forensic principles, that "if there are scattered white burn marks, then Mogi is not the culprit," and examined Mogi's body as he took off his shirt in the changing room. However, they could not find any white burn marks, making it highly likely that Mogi was involved in the murder of his parents. Meanwhile, Mogi also sensed that Makoto and Minoru knew the truth about the case.
The three, who had known each other for a long time, took a bath together for the first time without touching on the core issues of their relationship. Mogi murmured, "It's really been a long time," as if savoring the time they had spent together, and looked up to stop the tears from falling. Makoto held back his tears, his face looking like he was about to burst into tears. Minoru couldn't hold back the emotions welling up inside him and washed his face with the water to compose himself. This exchange drew praise from viewers, who called it "a memorable scene in drama history" and "a divine episode."
During filming at that time, both the cast and crew were in tears. "I was in the bath so I don't know how much they were crying, but I think they captured some really good expressions. They didn't say it out loud, but the silent feeling of 'You're the culprit, aren't you?' was very poignant and well done. When Mogi said, 'It's been such a long time,' I think there was a hint of his wish that they would have found him (as the culprit)," he recalled.
◇What was the reason for selecting Takashi Yamanaka?
Regarding the public bath scene, comments included, "This scene perfectly encapsulates the reason why Takashi Yamanaka was cast as Mocchan," and "I think 'Takusari Brothers' has become one of Takashi Yamanaka's representative works."
Why did they cast Mr. Yamanaka as Mogi?
"I first learned about Mr. Yamanaka through the NHK morning drama series ' Asadora' (aired in 2013). He played Muroi Kōsai, a writer with round glasses and shaggy hair, and that image has stayed with me ever since, so I thought he would be good for the role of Mogi. I had the impression that his kindness would lead to the crime. Mr. Yamanaka is amazing at playing crazy roles, but I thought he had a good, approachable quality about him as a clumsy but earnest person living his life."
Yamanaka finished filming the day after shooting the bathhouse scene. When reflecting on the filming of this project, she reportedly broke down in tears.
Episode 9 ended with Makoto and Minoru, having uncovered the truth, pointing guns at Sadao (Hidekazu Nagae). Arai urged viewers to "watch and see what path the brothers will ultimately take."
The drama follows Detective Makoto and Medical Examiner Minoru as they investigate heinous crimes that occur daily and pursue the true culprit in the murder of two parents, a case that reached its statute of limitations just two days before the abolition of the statute of limitations.
