NHK’s Toyotomi Brothers! Holds Strong Ratings Thanks to Three Behind-the-Scenes Powerhouses

The currently airing NHK Taiga drama The Toyotomi Brothers! is rewriting the history of Taiga dramas, which had been struggling in recent years.

Dubbed the “Taiga Nakano Theater,” lead actor Taiga Nakano (33) delivers overwhelming acting power, complemented by Shun Oguri’s (43) intimidating portrayal of a ruthless Nobunaga. This return to classic samurai period drama has drawn back history fans who had drifted away, with the latest episode (Episode 9, aired March 8) maintaining ratings above 10%, showing tangible success.

However, behind the glamorous public stage, fierce casting maneuvers to uphold NHK’s pride and intense battles for seats among the next-generation stars were unfolding.

High praise for a notable actress making her Taiga drama debut

“Last May, Mei Nagano (26), originally cast as Ichiro (Hidenaga)’s childhood friend, suddenly withdrew due to a scandal, causing a major shock. In a panic, NHK turned to the major talent agency ‘Flamme,’” revealed an entertainment insider familiar with the drama’s production.

Sei Shiraishi (27) was quickly cast as Nagano’s replacement.

“The background for Shiraishi’s casting included a condition that she appear alongside her agency’s flagship actresses, Riho Yoshioka (33) and Michiko Kichise (51). Still, expectations for Shiraishi go far beyond that. She’s being counted on to follow in the footsteps of Haruna Kawaguchi (31), who famously stepped in for Erika Sawajiri (39) in the 2020 Taiga drama Kirin ga Kuru and made a meteoric rise. Kawaguchi seized the opportunity and quickly became a top actress.”

The insider continued:

“Shiraishi even turned down a role in the drama Housoukyoku Senkyo (Nippon TV), starring Sho Sakurai (44) last September, to focus solely on this project. Her dedication leaves private networks watching enviously, unable to compete.”

Her resolve is reflected in her performance, earning consistent praise from viewers. From the first episode, she has helped maintain double-digit ratings, making her arguably the unsung hero of the series.

Two Actors to Watch

In addition to Sei Shiraishi, there are other actors in this series worth noting. A major highlight is Kazu Inoue (21) of Nogizaka46, who was cast as the later Yodo-dono/Chacha. Although he has limited acting experience, he won out over more than 1,600 audition participants. On this casting, Professor Sachinobu Okada of Yamato University’s Department of Sociology analyzed:

“After criticism that the previous work Berabou relied too heavily on comedians for publicity, this time they steered toward a merit-based approach. Inoue’s selection is the result of his raw, convincing performance in the audition, which impressed the judges. His schedule will likely be packed until around August 2026, but after that, interest from various networks should increase.”

Another actor whom Professor Okada confidently predicts will definitely rise is Reo Matsumoto (25), cast as Ishida Mitsunari. He was a regular cast member in the 2024 morning drama Omusubi, but that role came via an offer rather than an audition, which attracted attention.

Not belonging to a major agency, Matsumoto competed against strong contenders in an audition to secure this pivotal role, proving his solid ability.

“Matsumoto’s rise through sheer acting skill without favoritism is unusual in today’s TV industry. His evaluation as an actor is very high, and he is already drawing keen attention from commercial TV producers,” said Okada.

NHK’s intense focus on this production reflects the organization’s sense of urgency. Under the leadership of in-house president Tatsuhiko Inoue (68), NHK attempted an aggressive Taiga drama, but setbacks like failing to negotiate Arashi’s appearance on the Red and White Song Festival and announcer Mayuko Wakuda (37) going freelance had created negative headlines.

“From Hikaru Kimi e to Berabou, the lack of battle scenes is said to have caused fans to drift away from Taiga dramas. Depicting eras everyone can relate to, with casting that covers both Z-generation and seniors, this is truly NHK’s last strategic gamble,” said Okada.

Including the buzz around Sôsuke Ikematsu (35) as Hideyoshi and Yumi Kawai (25) possibly marrying soon, there is no shortage of publicity. The level of commitment on set suggests an unprecedented intensity for this monumental series.