The third cast of "Kuroro Castle" (directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, to be released in 2026), a film adaptation of Honobu Yonezawa 's masterpiece mystery novel starring actor Masahiro Motoki Motoki, was announced on March 4th. Actors Yoshimasa Kondo, Toshihiro Yashiba, Katsutoshi Kihara, Yamato Kawachi, Mutsuo Yoshioka, Shusaku Kamikawa, Oshiro Maeda, and Shingo Bando will appear in the film.
The original work (Kadokawa Bunko/KADOKAWA) was published in 2021 and is a popular work that has won numerous awards, including the 166th Naoki Prize and the 12th Yamada Futaro Prize. In opposition to Oda Nobunaga's methods, Araki Murashige (Motoki) launches a siege strategy, but mysterious incidents occur one after another. The suspects are vassals and family members who are inside the castle, which has become a closed room... As everyone becomes suspicious, Murashige attempts to solve the case together with Kuroda Kanbei ( Masaki Suda), a dangerous and genius military strategist who is imprisoned... This is a Sengoku-era psychological mystery.
A star-studded cast of 13 people has already been announced, including lead actor Motoki, Suda, Yoshitaka Yuriko, Aoki Munetaka, Ryota Miyadate Ryota from the popular group SnowMan, Tasuku Emoto Tasuku, and Joe Odagiri.
The eight people announced this time are important figures who will influence the fate of the castle's lord, Araki Murashige (Motoki), and the genius military strategist, Kuroda Kanbei (Suda), who is imprisoned in the Black Prison Castle, which has become a ``locked room'' where a series of mysterious incidents occur, starting with a murder.
Kondo plays Nakanishi Shinpachiro, a veteran vassal of Murashige, while Yashiba plays Ikeda Izumi, another veteran vassal, and Kihara plays Nomura Tango, who is in charge of guarding the castle.
Kawachi, who gained attention for his role in the drama "VIVANT" (TBS) and made waves last year with his role as "The Walking Man" in the film "Exit 8," will play Itami Ichirozaemon, a vassal of Murashige who has an especially strong sense of responsibility. Other actors joining the cast include Yoshioka, a regular in the "Kurosawa Group," who will play Mori Kahee, a loyal warrior and Murashige's aide, and Kamikawa, who has been garnering attention for his performances in the NHK morning drama "The Tiger and Her Wings" and the currently airing NHK Taiga drama "BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）", who will play a temple attendant who witnesses a mysterious incident that takes place within the castle.
Maeda plays Kuriyama Zensuke, a man who works in the shadows outside the castle, single-mindedly trying to save his lord, Kanbei, while Shingo, a rising star in the Kabuki world, plays Oda Nobunaga, who besieges the "Black Prison Castle" and corners Murashige, adding even more tension to the psychological battle in which even a moment of carelessness is not tolerated.
The comments from the eight people are as follows:
◇ Yoshimasa Kondo (role of Nakanishi Shinpachiro)
Kindness, fear, and elegance. The strength to never give up and the uncertainty. The unyielding spirit, the generosity to accept and forgive others, and the never-arrogant attitude. Everything I felt from the director is alive and well in this film. It is truly a human drama that reflects the director himself.
◇ Toshihiro Yashiba (role of Izumi Ikeda)
I was extremely honored to learn that I would be able to work with Kurosawa again (I feel honored is the right word). It has the classicism common to classic masterpieces, as well as the thrilling entertainment value. It also has the "distortion" that is unique to Kurosawa's works. I was excited to think that this would be a period drama with a texture never before seen. I'm sure you will enjoy the overwhelming afterglow of this work.
◇Kihara Katsutoshi (role of Nomura Tango)
Director Kurosawa, who was directing me, deliberately avoided using clear words. When I realized that he was not leading me to an answer but was instead making use of what came out of me, I was thrilled: this is the Kurosawa team I've always admired! This is Director Kurosawa's first period drama and mystery. I can only look forward to it. Please enjoy it at the theater.
◇Yamato Kawachi (role of Ichirozaemon Itami)
This is my first time working with director Kurosawa Kiyoshi, and it's a period drama! When I was asked to appear in the film, I was so happy that time seemed to stand still. My character, Ichiro Sa, is someone who always serves at the side of the lord played by Motoki. That time itself was a part of character development, and it was the most luxurious experience for an actor. The air on set was like a clear, black mist, and we were enveloped in a mysterious beauty. I hope that this feeling will reach everyone through the screen. Please come and experience it at the theater!
◇Mutsuo Yoshioka (role of Kahei Mori)
The set was airy and calm, yet had a comfortable tension, like a piano string stretched tight. It was a joy to be able to take part in a film by director Kurosawa Kiyoshi once again. Ideas that I would never have imagined just by reading the script came out of Kurosawa's mouth, and as if in perfect harmony, Nagata created beautiful lighting, and Sasaki's camera captured them with precision. I was thrilled. Please enjoy the film "Black Prison Castle."
◇Kamikawa Shusaku (role of the temple attendant)
From the script stage, I was drawn to the delicate emotional turmoil of the character Araki Murashige. The role of the temple attendant I played also involves confronting Murashige head-on and exchanging words with him. It's an extreme situation where one wrong move could cost you your life. I myself was filled with suffocating tension on the set, wondering how I could make people believe what I was saying. I hope that you will experience that tense atmosphere at the theater.
◇ Mr. Oshiro Maeda (Mayor Zensuke Kuriyama)
I am truly happy to have been able to take part in this production, which has such a wonderful staff and such a wonderful cast. The atmosphere on set was great, peaceful yet somehow tense, and I was able to approach filming in a great mental state. Although it was only one scene, I hope it was an important piece of the production.
◇Shingo Bando (role of Oda Nobunaga)
I usually play a female Kabuki actor, so when I was chosen to play the role of Oda Nobunaga, I was very surprised and felt anxious. However, when I spoke with Director Kurosawa, he told me, "Gender doesn't matter, so it's okay," which helped me to relax and enjoy filming. I hope I was able to contribute even a little to the fun and worldview of the film.
