We asked producer Arai of "Takusari Brothers" why "Mocchan" was loved by viewers: "The atmosphere between the three of them was reflected in the video." Also, what to look out for in the final episode.

The TBS Friday drama "Takusari Brothers," starring Masaki Okada and also featuring Shota Sometani, will air its final episode on June 19th at 10 PM. We spoke with producer Junko Arai, who worked on the series, about why Yuki Mogi, nicknamed "Mocchan" and played by Takashi Yamanaka, was so beloved by viewers, and the thoughts she put into the show.

◇ "Mocchan," beloved by viewers: "It was all thanks to Takashi Yamanaka's efforts."

The drama follows Detective Makoto (Okada) and Medical Examiner Minoru (Sometani) 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.

--Among the reactions after the broadcast, are there any comments or observations that particularly stood out to you, Arai-san?

Many people have expressed sentiments like, "I don't want Mocchan to be the culprit," and "I want him to be an ally." It was thanks to Mr. Yamanaka's talent that we were able to create such a character. Also, because he was close with the two actors who played his brothers in real life, the atmosphere of the three of them always chatting together comes through in the film, making them seem truly intimate.

I think that the relationships on set, combined with the actors' performances, made Mocchan such a lovable character.

Ms. Yamanaka is someone who can naturally portray a person who lives earnestly despite being clumsy, and who is also very approachable. I thought she would be a perfect fit for the role of Mocchan, a character who gets caught up in the incident because of her good nature, so I asked her to take on the role.

--Similar to Mogi, there are voices saying they hope that Koike Shunta, played by Kishitani Goro, is not the culprit. Some people are saying it reminds them of the drama "Ryusei no Kizuna" (aired in 2008). Have you seen these kinds of reactions?

"Ryusei no Kizuna" featured three brothers investigating a case and had a pop-style presentation, so I never expected there to be any backlash.

Of course, the premise of searching for the killer of a parent is a classic, and there have been stories before about siblings chasing the culprit. However, it might also be because it's in the same Friday drama slot. After seeing the reactions on social media after the first episode aired, I realized it was similar to "Ryusei no Kizuna."

While there may be some commonalities in the initial premise, I believe the subsequent developments and the direction the story takes are unique to this work.

Right now, I have no idea what kind of reaction we'll get after episodes 8 and 9 air. Up until now, we've been depicting the current case, which is the horizontal axis of the story, while gradually revealing details about the parents' murder case, which is the vertical axis. But from episode 8 onwards, the story will move in a big direction. I'm curious to see how the viewers will react.

-- Mr. Okada, are there any scenes that you felt particularly highlighted the relationship between the Tagasari brothers, as portrayed by Mr. Someya?

In episode 9, when Minoru talks about his memories with Mocchan and says, "I just can't bring myself to hate Mocchan," Makoto replies, "I have no intention of forgiving Mocchan."

I want to forgive him, but I mustn't. The scene where Minoru eats the fried rice he made using the recipe Mocchan left behind, while feeling such indescribable emotions, is so moving that it brings tears to your eyes. It really shows the strong bond between the brothers, and I thought it was wonderful.

--Could you tell us about any other memorable scenes or anecdotes from the filming set?

In the bath scene in episode 8, the brothers realize that the burn scar on Mocchan's back was caused at a different time than the factory fire, but they choose not to ask. The silent atmosphere is so poignant... I thought they captured a really good expression.

Also, the interactions between the two brothers in the apartment where they live were memorable, and there were many scenes that I thought were really good.

In episode 7, there's a scene where Minoru truly says, "Sayoko Hatano (Makiko Watanabe) is our enemy," and in episode 9, which I mentioned earlier, there's a scene where Minoru says, "I can't hate Mocchan," and I think there were especially many scenes that emphasized the strong brotherly relationship between the characters.

The relationship and trust between the two characters are very strong, and their acting is truly wonderful. That's why, even though this work doesn't have a lot of flashy scenes, it was able to create many memorable moments.

◇ Cherishing a worldview enveloped in love

--You mentioned that you built the story from its conclusion. What kind of exchanges did you have with screenwriter Kei Watanabe while creating the script?

The story intertwines the past case of the parents' murder with the current events, so we discussed with the director how to present it in an easy-to-understand way.

I've made crime thrillers before, but I've never used such an intricate method, so I was reminded of just how difficult it is to depict both the vertical and horizontal storylines simultaneously.

I'm sure the scriptwriting process was incredibly difficult, but I also imagine that translating it into a visually clear and understandable story through directing must have been equally challenging.

--How did you decide on the timing of the theme song and background music in consultation with the directors?

Regarding the theme song, we discuss it with the director during script meetings, trying to find the right place for it and deciding, "This is it." Sometimes the song doesn't quite fit with the footage we've actually shot. In those cases, the directors work in the editing room, pondering over where to place the theme song along with the background music.

Even I sometimes think, "Oh, so that's how it works here," while checking the footage. I find it interesting every time I see the finished video.

--What was the one thing that you and the production team wanted to portray without wavering until the very end, as you worked on the series until the final episode? Please tell us what you considered particularly important.

The "love" that surrounds siblings. It's a feeling that comes from love. I cherished a worldview that was enveloped in love.

--What are the highlights of the final episode?

I hope you'll watch until the very end to see what path the brothers ultimately take, what choices they make, and what kind of ending awaits them. You'll probably have a lot to think about at the end, but I hope you enjoy it.