Actor Yuki Kura , who plays the role of Kanbei Kodera (Kuroda) in the NHK Taiga drama " BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!） " (NHK General, Sundays at 8pm, etc.), starring Taiga Nakano, spoke about how he is approaching the role. "Kanbei is a very popular figure. He was even portrayed as the main character in the Taiga drama 'Gunshi Kanbei' (2014), so I was naturally anxious at first."
" BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）" is the 65th Taiga drama. With Toyotomi Hidenaga (Koichiro) as the protagonist, it depicts the miraculous feat of unifying Japan together with his older brother Hideyoshi (Tokichiro) through their strong bond, a success story of dreams and hopes.
Kuroda Kanbei was a military strategist who served Hideyoshi. He served the Kodera family in Harima (western Hyogo Prefecture), the front line of the power struggle between the Oda and Mori clans, but when Hideyoshi was entrusted with the conquest of Harima, he took the initiative to join Hideyoshi's ranks.
"I have seen several works depicting Kanbei," Kura revealed.
"I felt it wouldn't be right to simply go along with that image. In this work, we depict Kanbei from his younger days, so he's a bit different from the generally known image of a calm, collected man who quietly burns with fighting spirit. He's actually a rather aggressive character. He's also an ambitious person, so in scenes where he's discussing his plans, he's not looking down on people, but I've consciously included moments in some scenes where a smile unexpectedly slips into his face."
Kanbei is "another genius strategist" alongside Takenaka Hanbei (Masaki Suda). Regarding the contrast between them, he said, "I wanted to clearly show the difference between him and Hanbei."
"Kanbei had a strong sense of rivalry with Hanbei, and he was also an ambitious young man, so I wanted to make sure that contrast was important. To show the difference between him and the calm Hanbei, for example, when he was talking about his plan, I played him with the image of a child boasting to an older person, saying, 'This is what I've been thinking, isn't it amazing?' In a way, I think he's someone who only thinks about himself (laughs)."
In the 24th episode of "Gunshi Kanbei!" which aired on June 21st, there was a scene in which Kanbei pleaded with Hideyoshi and others, "Please, once again, let me join your ranks!"
"I found the process of him gradually becoming more honest to be fascinating. I feel that this kind of shonen manga-like development is one of the great charms of ' BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）', and I hope viewers will enjoy watching Kanbei's transformation after Hanbei's death."
