<figure id="attachment_456281" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2382px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-456281"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="d143d47b"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/02/7b33f0556198f15baeda3ae519406832.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-456281" class="wp-caption-text">Masaki Okada and Shota Sometani star in TBS’s April drama “Tagusari Brothers”</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Simply so emotional</h2>
<p data-start="113" data-end="509">Last October, filming was underway in a suburban Tokyo neighborhood. Around the old apartment that served as the set, cameras and equipment were arranged, and a large crew was preparing. After a while, two handsome men in black suits appeared, climbed the apartment stairs, and stood on the open hallway. Then they posed for the camera — it was actors Masaki Okada (36) and Shota Sometani (33).</p>
<p data-start="511" data-end="612">On this day, the two were filming TBS’s Friday drama for the April season, “Tagusari Brothers.”</p>
<p data-start="614" data-end="1263"><strong>“On January 20, the cast and production details were announced. The series is a crime suspense drama about brothers whose parents’ murder case remained unresolved when the statute of limitations expired two days before the abolition of the murder statute of limitations. Determined to take justice into their own hands, they pursue the truth. The script, written by Kei Watanabe — formerly of the comedy duo Great Chicken Powers (disbanded 2005) — is a completely original story. Okada plays the older brother, Makoto Tagusari, a detective, while Sometani plays the younger brother, Minoru Tagusari, a coroner,”</strong> explained a TV magazine writer.</p>
<p data-start="1265" data-end="1598">This marks the sixth time Okada and Sometani have appeared together. Their first collaboration was the 2007 drama “Seito Shokun!” (TV Asahi). They later co-starred in the 2011 film “Antoki no Inochi” and the 2015 film “Strayer’s Chronicle.” Both acknowledge their strong rapport, making this reunion highly anticipated.</p>
<p data-start="1600" data-end="1912">Even on the first day of filming, their chemistry was evident. Possibly during a still-photo shoot, the two stood in the apartment hallway with both hands extended, striking poses. At one point, Okada spoke to Sometani, who struggled to suppress his laughter — a scene radiating the closeness of real brothers.</p>
<p data-start="1914" data-end="2006">In an interview on TBS’s official YouTube channel “TBS Official YouTuboo,” Okada said:</p>
<p data-start="1914" data-end="2006"><strong>“When the producers asked me about the role of the younger brother, the first person I thought of was Sometani I contacted him thinking, ‘I want to play brothers with you!’”</strong></p>
<p data-start="2188" data-end="2199">He added:</p>
<p data-start="2188" data-end="2199"><strong>“I was really happy because I wanted to act with Sometani again.”</strong></p>
<p data-start="2272" data-end="2300">Sometani, meanwhile, said:</p>
<p data-start="2272" data-end="2300"><strong>“The moment I opened the script with the image of being Okada’s brother, I saw a very endearing sibling relationship written on the page. Their emotions were uniquely and deeply portrayed — it was so interesting, and honestly, so emotional. Really emotional.”</strong></p>
<p data-start="2567" data-end="2669">After 20 years of co-starring, the perfectly matched duo promises a story full of emotion and depth.</p>
<p data-start="2671" data-end="2801" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">“FRIDAY Digital” welcomes tips and information from readers. Please submit via the form below or contact the official X account.</p>
<p>Information form: <a href="https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips">https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips</a><br>
Official X: <a href="https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit</a></p>
<div class="expapp-no-provided-scope expapp-no-provided-scope-end"></div>
<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Masaki Okada and Shota Sometani filming for the April season drama"></div>
<figure id="attachment_456282" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2500px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-456282"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="f346058e"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/02/4cab2c45187cc97a50c146251b88441d.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-456282" class="wp-caption-text">Masaki Okada and Shota Sometani chatting between takes.</figcaption></figure>
<div data-friday-ad-slot="AD_inArticle"></div>
<figure id="attachment_456283" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1508px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-456283"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="7cbe5f5f"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/02/6e357d55d3fea7d62b473f2759e5a155.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-456283" class="wp-caption-text">Shota Sometani makes a gesture as if he is trying to hold back his laughter, as if Masaki Okada in the back has said something to him.</figcaption></figure>
<div data-friday-ad-slot="AD_inArticle"></div>
<figure id="attachment_456284" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2348px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-456284"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="f9d14f0f"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/02/8799c6047b7153b22cc3170bc410cc12.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-456284" class="wp-caption-text">In the drama, lead actor Masaki Okada plays the detective Makoto Tagusari.</figcaption></figure>


 Kumataro Arai

 On January 20, the production and cast of the TBS April season drama "Tasen Brothers" were announced, with Masaki Okada as the lead brother and Shota Sometani as the male lead. Friday Digital had spotted the two on location shooting three months earlier, last October!

Okada and Sometani Shine as Brothers in TBS April Drama—Fans Love Their Chemistry

Access Ranking