Taiga Nakano’s Standout Role in The Eleven Bandits and Taiga Drama Pressure

Set in the Bakumatsu period, the film “The Eleven Bandits” depicts a violent group conflict. Taiga Nakano, who stars alongside Takayuki Yamada in a double lead role, has captivated audiences with his intense and compelling performance.

The film is based on a long-lost plot by screenwriter Kazuo Kasahara, known for helping establish the golden era of Toei films with works like the “Battles Without Honor and Humanity” series. Directed by Kazuya Shiraishi, who also directed the “The Blood of Wolves” series, the film was adapted after 60 years. It is an exhilarating entertainment epic based on a historical event during the Boshin War, where nameless criminals take refuge in a northern fortress and fight against the imperial army, set in the small domain of Shibata in the Hokuriku region.

 

Bringing a wooden sword to the location of another job.

“Taiga plays the role of Washio Heishiro, a practitioner of the Naoshin Kagei-ryu who becomes frustrated with the Shibata clan’s refusal to fight against the new government army. Under the orders of the clan’s chief retainer, he leads a suicide squad to carry out a mission to guard a fortress. In fact, this is Taiga’s first experience with serious sword fighting action. He began training six months before filming, even bringing a wooden sword with him to the location of another job to continue practicing. He himself has expressed his passion for the project, saying, ‘If the audience can burn into their minds the fiery way of life of those called bandits, and their death like fireworks at the end of the battle, it would mean a lot to me’” (Film industry insider).

The filming took place from August to November last year, and for two of those months, an open set for the fortress was built in a former quarry in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture. They constructed a suspension bridge, a large gate, the main keep, a lookout tower, and even a river flowing beneath the suspension bridge. Shooting took place day and night in the intense heat. In the film’s final scenes, there is a gripping sword-fighting sequence featuring Taiga’s character, Setsuro Washio.

“Criminals who were supposed to be pardoned for guarding the fortress are mercilessly killed to silence them. Unable to tolerate the dirty tactics of the chief retainer, Mizoguchi Takumi (played by Sadao Abe), Heishiro confronts him alone. The scene where he binds his hands and sword with a rope so the blood won’t make the blade slippery and corners Mizoguchi, only to collapse from exhaustion, is truly breathtaking. Taiga’s future as a period drama actor is highly anticipated” (Producer from the production company).

However, there is a secret behind this intense performance.

 

The name was given with the hope that he would one day star in a Taiga drama.

“Actually, during the filming of the fortress scenes, it was decided that Taiga Nakano would play the lead role of Toyotomi Hidenaga in the Taiga drama ‘Toyotomi Brothers!’ (NHK), set to air the year after next. Overjoyed, Taiga confessed that he felt he had to show acting worthy of a lead actor in a Taiga drama, so he raised his performance by two or three gears. That intense sword fighting scene may have been a battle in which Taiga put his pride as a Taiga actor on the line.”
(Previous producer)

Earlier this year, Taiga Nakano delivered a strong performance as the husband of the heroine in the morning drama “Tora ni Tsubasa” (NHK). Additionally, in the July season, he co-starred with Eiko Koike in the drama “Shinjuku Yasen Byouin” (Fuji TV).

Looking at his film career, he appeared in highly anticipated films such as “Warai no Kaibutsu” released in January, “Shigatsu ni Nareba Kanojo wa” in April, “Honshin” currently in theaters, and next month’s “Saint☆Oniisan THE MOVIE.”

Moreover, he is also starring in the stage play “Touge no Waga Ie” alongside Fumi Nikaido, which is currently running. Taiga Nakano, continuing his rapid rise, is now truly blossoming as an actor.

“When he was in elementary school, he was moved by the drama ‘WATER BOYS’ (Fuji TV), which led him to admire the lead actor, Takayuki Yamada, and at 13 years old, he entered the entertainment industry. His close friend from the same year, Shota Someya, won the Best Newcomer Award at the Venice International Film Festival for the 2011 film ‘Himizu.’ Meanwhile, another classmate, Sugata Masaki, rose to stardom. However, even after turning 20, Taiga struggled to find his way. That’s why his big break in his 30s is so significant. He became the lead in a Taiga drama even before Someya and Sugata. This achievement must bring him immense joy.”
(Previous film industry insider)

The origin of the name Taiga.

It is because

“I wanted my child to appear in a Taiga drama and play the lead role. I gave this name with that hope.”

Taiga’s father, Hideo Nakano, named him. It seems that the power of words may indeed exist in the entertainment world.