Yuki Fujimoto, the screenwriter behind the historical drama "Taira no Kiyomori" and the morning drama "Come Come Everybody," has been announced as the writer for the 2028 historical drama "John Manjiro," and attended a press conference held at the NHK headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo on Getsuku. The drama will star actor Kento Yamazaki and will depict the life of John Manjiro, who was active from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. Fujimoto expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "I would like to carefully, enjoyably, and wholeheartedly weave together the life of John Manjiro, who is loved by many people, over the course of a year."
This is Fujimoto's second time writing a script for a Taiga drama, the first being "Taira no Kiyomori" in 2012. "The Taiga drama is the only format that allows me to tell the story of one person's life over the course of a year, so I am truly grateful to have been given this opportunity a second time," he said, expressing his delight.
He added, "I had said that I wanted to write a story about John Manjiro someday, so I am very happy that this wish has come true, and it is a great honor that Kento Yamazaki will be playing the role." He continued, "I believe that the people of Kochi Prefecture (where Manjiro was born and raised) are more discerning and critical than anyone else, so I want to create a portrayal of John Manjiro that will satisfy them, and I hope that Yamazaki will play the perfect John Manjiro." Yamazaki, who was listening beside him, smiled and said, "I will do my best."
When asked why he chose John Manjiro for his work in this day and age, he explained the background behind his selection as a subject, saying, "When I think of John Manjiro, the first word that comes to mind is 'romance.' While his life was full of exciting dreams and adventures, I think he also experienced great setbacks, worries, and suffering. His life itself has a unique narrative quality, and I wanted to turn that into a story with my own hands."
He then added, "The more I learn about John Manjiro, the more I realize how important it is to choose your own path, no matter how difficult the circumstances. I really want young people today to see that."
"John Manjiro" is the 67th NHK Taiga drama, depicting the life of John Manjiro, who was active from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. Set in 19th-century Japan, America, and the Pacific Ocean, it is a grand and moving epic about ordinary people who become "castaways," depicting a series of life-or-death survival struggles and the romance of a long-awaited reunion. Yamazaki plays the protagonist of this work, Nakahama Manjiro, also known as "John Manjiro."
