Fuji TV 50th Anniversary drama of epic proportions: Wagaya no Rekishi

Writer-Director Koki Mitani

 It was officially announced today that popular singer-actress Kou Shibasaki would be leading the omnibus drama commemorating Fuji TV’s 50th anniversary, Wagaya no Rekishi. The drama will tell of the travails of the Yame family in the post-War period starting from 1945. Koki Mitani, known acclaimed writer and director, takes the helm of this big project. With Mitani’s last project, The Magic Hour, achieving critical and box-office success, expectations are high for Wagaya no Rekishi, which will air next spring.

Shibasaki, popular for her roles in dramas Galileo and Orange Days as well as a her successful singing career, is looking forward to acting in this large project. She will play the role of the oldest daughter of the Yatome family, Masako. Masako is the mediator within her family and offers her support to her parents. Because of her character’s role within her family, Shibasaki relates to Masako greatly. This is her first project with renowned director Koki Mitani.

Director Mitani aims to depict the feeling of the Showa period through this drama. He states that because of the 50th anniversary of Fuji TV, he was able to write the joys, sadness, suspense, and love that binds the family. Mitani, who gained success through his writing and directing comedies for the theatre and the screen, aims to continue the quality of his work through this special project. Known for his straightforward manner of shooting of scenes, almost without cuts, gives a sense of the performance expectations from the actors, which Fuji TV intends on delivering.

Playing the rest of the family is a plethora of the who’s who in the Japanese entertainment scene today. Jun Matsumoto, Ryuuta Sato, Maki Horikita, and Nana Eikura are slated to play Shibasaki’s younger siblings. These actors are known for starring in their own shows, which mean that audiences can only hide their anticipation of the scenes that will be portrayed on screen. The actors on the other hand, are very thrilled to be working with Mitani.

Despite the fact that most of the actors had not starred together in projects, Matsumoto and Eikura played twins in teen movie, Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru.  They will be playing brother and sister again, hopefully this time there will be no incest involved. In that movie, chemistry between the two actors is evident despite the distasteful topic that they had to portray on-screen. One hopes that the two will have equal sibling chemistry with Shibasaki and the other actors.  Viewers can only assume the amount of screen time any of the actors will have because of the other celebrities in the cast.

One thing is for sure, another co-star of Matsumoto’s, Masami Nagasawa is also attached to this project. They worked together on the remake of Akira Kurosawa’s Hidden Fortress released in 2008. Looking at the articles, Nagasawa might be paired with Matsumoto in this drama as a love interest. Fan girls rejoice, or throw pitchforks in Nagasawa’s direction? I am assuming the latter, because of the rumors surrounding Nagasawa this past year.

Joining the already stellar cast are Koichi Sato, Yo Oizumi, Yuki Amami as people who become associated with the family. Veteran actors Toshiyuki Nishida and Sumiko Fuji will be acting as the parents of the brood. With these list of names, it is hard not be excited about this upcoming drama special.

Wagaya no Rekishi will start filming soon, but to be honest, I cannot wait for spring to come.

Source: Sanspo, Yomiuri