The 24th episode of the NHK Taiga drama "BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）" (NHK General, Sundays at 8pm, etc.), starring actor Taiga Nakano, titled "Strategist Kanbei!", aired on June 21st, and a particular scene towards the end of the episode, featuring Matsujumaru's expression, became a topic of discussion among viewers.
In episode 24, after being held captive by Murashige (Tortoise Matsumoto) for a year, Kanbei (Yuki Kura) had reached his physical and mental limits.
The stalemate between Murashige, who continued to hold out in his castle, and the Oda army had reached a deadlock, but Koichiro (Taiga Nakano) succeeded in cutting off the supply lines for provisions. Persuaded by his wife, Dashi (Kasumi Yamaya), Murashige finally decided to surrender. Entrusted with acting as an intermediary to Nobunaga (Shun Oguri), Koichiro entrusted Dashi with a message for Kanbei.
Just when it seemed the battle would end without unnecessary bloodshed, Murashige fled. Arioka Castle, having lost its lord, fell easily, and all of Murashige's remaining retainers were massacred as a warning to others, and Dashi was also beheaded.
The only remaining target was Miki Castle, where Kanbei, who had been rescued from prison, once again lent his support to Hideyoshi (played by Sosuke Ikematsu) and others. Instead of a full-scale attack, they succeeded in forcing the castle to surrender through stratagem. The battle ended with the ritual suicide of Bessho Nagaharu.
Towards the end, Hideyoshi returns to Nagahama Castle and embraces his wife Nene (Minami Hamabe), overjoyed at their reunion. However, viewers react to Matsujumaru's somewhat cold gaze as he watches the two of them being affectionate.
Comments on social media included: "Matsujumaru has such a cold look in his eyes lol", "Matsujumaru has a cold look in his eyes lol", "The commentary says 'The boy with the cold gaze (Matsujumaru)'", "Fujikichiro and Nene are being lovey-dovey, and Matsujumaru is watching them... 'The boy with the cold gaze'... they even say that in the commentary", and "Matsujumaru is disgusted by the lovey-dovey couple (lol)".
After his father Kanbei returned safely, Matsujumaru showed a childlike smile. He would later become Kuroda Nagamasa, and in the 2014 Taiga drama "Gunshi Kanbei," he was played by Tori Matsuzaka, leading to comments such as "Matsujumaru will probably grow up to be like Tori Matsuzaka" and "Matsujumaru is the future Tori Matsuzaka(not really)."
