GACKT makes a flashy appearance in “New Abarenbo Shogun” starring Ken Matsudaira! “It’s a great honor” to be working with Matsudaira for the first time.

■GACKT participates in the war as Muneharu Tokugawa, the seventh lord of the Owari clan who aims to become the shogun!

It has been decided that GACKT will make a special appearance in “Abarenbo Shogun” starring Ken Matsudaira, which will make a comeback for the first time in 17 years. He plays the role of Tokugawa Muneharu, the seventh lord of the Owari domain, who aims to become the shogun.

On January 4, 2025, the masterpiece, which can be said to be the origin and pinnacle of “Shogun” dramas, will be revived as a historical drama unique to Reiwa, by the hands of the strongest creator team, director Takashi Miike and screenwriter Mika Omori.・Abarenbo Shogun”. Led by Daigo Nishihata (Naniwa Danshi), who plays the main character Yoshimune’s eldest son Ieshige, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Sawako Fujima, Ryo Kimura, Aita Komaki, Shuichiro Naito, Masanobu Katsumura, Takehiko Ono, Reiko Takashima, Katsuhisa Namase, and others. There is a lineup of talented cast members who are suitable for a new year drama.

■Yoshimune is shaken by the issue of succession! Ieshige, the eldest son, has a “secret”…!?
“New Abarenbo Shogun”, revived in Reiwa, is set in the town of Edo, more than 20 years after the reign of Yoshimune. Yoshimune, who was a young general in the original series, is finally faced with the problem of succession… This is because his eldest son, Ieshige (Daigo Nishihata), was paralyzed in his right arm and face due to illness, and there were many requests for his disinheritance. However, when Yoshimune goes out into town as Shinnosuke, he encounters a commotion and meets a man who skillfully wields a Western sword, the Rapier. The man who calls himself “Tokunaga Tomitaro,” the third son of a merchant family, is none other than his son, Ieshige…!? What on earth happened to Ieshige? Eventually, the deep and painful feud between Yoshimune and Ieshige causes unexpected turmoil, and a huge conspiracy attacks the Shogun family. Then, taking advantage of the confusion, the ambitions of Muneharu Tokugawa, played by GACKT, reveal their fangs.

■He will make an impact as the flashy Owari feudal lord, Muneharu Tokugawa! “It’s an honor to work with Ken.”
Muneharu is the head of the Owari Tokugawa family, the top of the three Tokugawa families. Believing that “it is important for the people to enjoy themselves in a flamboyant manner,” he established all of Yoshimune’s frugal policies, such as setting up playhouses and other entertainment facilities in the castle town of the Owari domain, which he ruled, and allowing a wide range of songs and dances. ignore. His arrogance has attracted attention, and some people say that he is more suitable to be a shogun than Yoshimune.

Muneharu, known as a “kabuki person,” also stands out in terms of fashion, looking gorgeous as he wears a flashy haori over all black clothing and smokes a long smoking pipe over 1 meter long. This is a role that only GACKT, who boasts an outstanding presence not only as a musician but also as an actor, could pull off.

GACKT, who co-starred with Matsudaira for the first time in this work, said, “I have often watched “Abarenbo Shogun” myself for a long time, so it is an “honor” to be able to co-star with Ken-san in that work. I feel very honored,” he said, going to the scene with respect in mind. After witnessing Matsudaira’s dignified performance, he revealed that his respect for him grew even stronger, saying, “Despite his comeback after 17 years, his whole body is still full of power and it’s amazing.”

■In response to director Takashi Miike’s love call…GACKT beautifully and gracefully “kabuku”
This is the second time that GACKT has participated in a film directed by Takashi Miike, following the movie “BLUE FIGHT ~Blue Youth Breaking Down~” (released in January 2025). GACKT, who has been fascinated by Miike’s world for some time and had always wanted to appear in a movie, confessed that he adjusted his busy schedule and rushed to Toei’s Kyoto studio when he was offered this film, saying, “I’d be happy if it was a Miike-san’s work…”

“I think I’m being asked to be an accent in the world of my work, to not let the viewers get bored, so I want to fulfill my role in that role,” he says enthusiastically, adding, “Shin-no-Ichi”, which radiates Miike-ism, In the world of “Abarenbo Shogun”, she is “covered” with “full beauty”.

GACKT also sent out a message saying, “I would be happy if this could be an opportunity for young people to think that historical dramas are interesting.”

■GACKT comment
Q. “Abarenbo Shogun” will be revived in Reiwa, what impression did you have of the work?
In “Abarenbo Shogun,” I had the impression that Ken Matsudaira’s fighting style was dynamic and exhilarating, and that his mysterious world view, where his arms never weakened even as the years went by, was appealing. When I received the offer, I was shocked and thought, “That masterpiece will finally be revived!”

Q. How was it co-starring with Ken Matsudaira?
This was my first time meeting Mr. Matsudaira. I was really looking forward to co-starring with him, and even though he was back for the first time in 17 years, he still had the same energy in his body, which made me think it was amazing. I have often watched “Abarenbo Shogun” myself for a long time, so it is an “honor” to be able to co-star with Ken-san in that work. I feel very honored.

Q.What did you think about participating in director Takashi Miike’s historical drama?
Miike’s films are unique, both in terms of their camera layout and storyline. Although this work is a historical drama, it has a good tempo and I have high expectations for what kind of work it will turn out to be. I think Mr. Miike’s way of thinking is quite different from past historical dramas, but I would be happy if it could help young people realize that historical dramas are interesting.

This time, I received an offer that said, “I’d be happy to work on Miike’s work,” so I want to do what I have to do. I think I’m required to be an accent to the world of “Abarenbo Shogun,” a presence that doesn’t bore the viewer, so I want to fulfill that role.

Q. The costumes are flashy, but what do you think about the role of Muneharu Tokugawa?
Muneharu is a very “covered” person who lives his life with his own unique way of thinking. I think his overly long smoking pipe and flashy costumes are a sign of his unconventional way of life. I think he’s a very interesting person, and I feel like he’s a good fit for me.

Q.Please give a message to the viewers!
I am very happy that “Abarenbo Shogun” is coming back after 17 years. Depending on your generation, there may be people who don’t know about it, but I’d be happy if they could see this work and think, “Historical dramas are interesting.” Also, the number of historical dramas has been decreasing in recent years, so I think this is a work that older people will enjoy as well. While spending the New Year with your family, I hope everyone from children to the elderly can enjoy watching it together.

Program information

TV Asahi 24 stations network“New Abaranbou Shogun”
(2025)
01/04 (Sat) 21:00~
Screenplay: Mika Omori
Director: Takashi Miike
Production: TV Asahi Toei

■Synopsis
More than 20 years have passed since the reign of the eighth shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune (Ken Matsudaira). Yoshimune was busy taking measures every day to help the people who were suffering from the depression caused by the Great Kyoho Famine. In addition, Yoshimune, who was about to reach his 60th birthday, was also worried about the issue of succession. Yoshimune had three sons, but due to illness, his eldest son, Ieshige (Daigo Nishihata), cannot move his right arm, his face is stiff, and he is unable to speak properly. Therefore, there were quite a few voices within the castle that suggested that the second son, Munetake (Komakine Aita), was the most suitable to become the next shogun.
Meanwhile, Yoshimune returns to town for the first time in a while as Shinnosuke Tokuda, the third son of a poor hatamoto, and encounters Okinu (Sawako Fujita), the daughter of a lumber merchant, being entangled in a manhunt. When they immediately went to help, a mysterious man appeared in Suketachi, wielding a western sword called “Rapier” with his left arm. Yoshimune is amazed at the swordsmanship of the man who calls himself “Tokunaga Fukutaro”, the third son of a merchant family, in a polite tone, but then realizes that Fukutaro is actually his own eldest son, Ieshige. What happened to Ieshige, whose right arm and face are paralyzed, can use a Western sword and speak Edo language fluently? Yoshimune can’t hide his surprise…
Around that time, Munetake was approached by his hatamoto Yojiro Honma (Yukietsu Ozawa). Honma spreads rumors to Munetake that the Owari domain lord, Tokugawa Muneharu (GACKT), is aiming to become the shogun and may draw his bow on Kogi. In reality, Honma, who holds a grudge against Yoshimune, is obsessed with terrifyingly grand ambitions…
At the same time, incidents occur in the town of Edo in which young women who had been missing are found dead one after another. Feeling that something is hidden behind their deaths, Yoshimune begins to investigate the incident, but…!?

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https://x.com/abarenbo2025