Shogun Matsudaira Ken x eldest son Daigo Nishihata (Naniwa Danshi) have a parent-child talk in a side-by-side interview! “New Abarenbo Shogun” revived after 17 years

■Ken Matsudaira highly praised his “son” Daigo Nishihata (Naniwa Danshi), saying, “Nishihata-san was a polite and refreshing young man from beginning to end.”

On January 4, 2025, “Abarenbo Shogun” starring Ken Matsudaira will be revived for the first time in 17 years as “New Abarenbo Shogun” on TV Asahi. Daigo Nishihata (Naniwa Danshi), who played Ieshige, attended a “surrounding interview” before the New Year’s broadcast. They talked about their impressions of each other and secret stories about filming.

“New Abarenbo Shogun” is a masterpiece that can be said to be the origin and pinnacle of “Shogun” dramas, revived in the Reiwa era by director Takashi Miike and screenwriter Mika Omori.

The powerful main visual featuring a gorgeous cast has also been released. As befits a New Year’s drama, the sacred mountain Fuji towers calmly in the background. In addition, one of Yoshimune’s defining lines, the catchphrase “Did you forget to see my face!”, also conveys Matsudaira’s overwhelming feeling of being able to return as the shogun Yoshimune after 17 years and be able to “visit” the viewers. It’s included.

Furthermore, at the end of the press conference, Matsudaira and Nishihata looked back on 2024 and unveiled “this year’s kanji.” Matsudaira wrote the word “joy” and Nishihata wrote the word “first” on colored paper.

■Ken Matsudaira x Daigo Nishihata press conference comments
–Please tell us how you felt when you received the offer.

Matsudaira:I was really happy that the revival of “Abarenbo Shogun”, which I had been eagerly awaiting for a long time, became a reality for the first time in 17 years.

Nishihata:I thought it was a great honor because it was a historical work, and above all, I was surprised because I had never expected to play the role of the eldest son of a master, but I was very happy. I was so excited when I read the script.

–What were your first impressions of each other? Please tell us about what you talked about during the filming.

Matsudaira:My first impression was…when we first met, he suddenly said, “I sing ‘Matsuken Samba II'”… (laughs)

Nishihata:Since I’m a fan, I just wanted to convey my feelings of “I love you”…I started by saying, “I love Matsuken Samba II. I often sing to them!”

Matsudaira:Thanks to that, I feel like we were able to open up to each other from the beginning (lol). This is the first time that my son has appeared in “Abarenbo Shogun,” so it was very refreshing to have Mr. Nishihata participate. This time, I think it’s a new version of “Abarenbo Shogun” that is a little different from the previous ones, such as the presence of sons and the inclusion of content that is based on historical facts.

Nishihata:I personally don’t have a lot of experience in historical dramas, and it was my first time doing sword fighting, so Matsudaira-san really gave me a lot of advice during filming. The power of the sword changes drastically depending on the angle of the sword, so it was helpful to have the detailed explanation.

――Mr. Nishihata, you were challenged with a “difficult role.” Please tell us your impressions. Mr. Matsudaira, what did you think of Mr. Nishihata when you saw him as a “period drama actor”?

Nishihata:Ieshige plays a character who is paralyzed in his face and right hand, so it was extremely difficult for him to perform sword fights when he can basically only use his left hand. However, I received a lot of advice from Mr. Matsudaira, and the fact that he can only use his left hand actually gave Ieshige his unique personality, and although it was difficult, it was fun to play him. Since I had never used a blunt tone before, it was difficult to get intonation, so I took advice from the director.

Matsudaira:Ieshige, played by Mr. Nishihata, is not only in the castle, but also secretly out on the town, just like I play the Shogun and Shinnosuke. I think it was wonderful that the difference between yin and yang was clearly used. He was agile and sharp in his movements.

――In addition, please tell us in detail what kind of advice you gave Nishihata-san, Matsudaira-san.

Matsudaira:Is it mainly “form” and “behavior”? When standing around in a kimono, you can’t open your legs like in modern dramas, and when you swing to the right, your right leg comes out, and when you lower it to the left, your left leg comes out, so the movement of your limbs is different from dancing. Yes.

Nishihata:With the Western sword that Ieshige held, it was not possible to use “Mineuchi” (= a method of defeating an opponent without killing them by striking them with the “peak” on the opposite side rather than the blade), so he often punched his enemies, but “Punching” He also taught me the angles that give the impression of a powerful feeling.

–How was it filming with director Takashi Miike?

Nishihata:Director Miike also has a unique way of shooting, which is very fast. I was surprised because they kept taking pictures. However, rather than shooting from every angle, I was capturing every moment, which was very refreshing and I learned a lot.

Matsudaira:As expected, the touch is different from the previous series. Even when I was standing around, I took a lot of detailed shots, such as my hands. I’m really looking forward to seeing how that connects. Director Miike, a master of violence, had a “cruel” image (lol), but with “New Abarenbo Shogun”, he respected the worldview of the past, and while it was innovative, it was a great addition to the series. I feel that they followed the image in mind when taking the photo.

–What would it be like to have a father and son like this? What did you feel after performing together?

Matsudaira:At first, Ieshige was against his father, Yoshimune, and they were quite distant emotionally. After the incident, they started to open up to each other, and Nishihata-san was a polite and cheerful young man from beginning to end.

Nishihata:If Mr. Matsudaira were my father, I think he would be extremely proud. What really surprised me was sword fighting and how quickly people learned it. It’s a long sword fight with more than 20 moves (moves), and after checking the flow two or three times, it’s time for the real thing. I was surprised how you remember it!? Moreover, each and every gesture is beautiful…I’m a proud father.

–Please tell us about the appeal of “New Abarenbo Shogun” that you would like to appeal to the younger generation.

Nishihata:It’s a satirical story that not only deals with the issue of succession, but also incorporates social issues that are occurring in modern times, so I think the younger generation will enjoy watching it as well. Other than that, the boss is really cool! I can tell because I watched it up close, but it’s on a whole other level. I think it’s a perfect piece for a happy new year, so I hope the whole family can enjoy it.

Matsudaira:Well, I think it’s a work that anyone can enjoy, from children to the elderly.

–Finally, looking back to 2024, please announce this year’s kanji!

Matsudaira:This year is “joy”. This year was a busy one, but I have many images of everyone being happy and smiling.

Nishihata:It’s my first time. It was my first experience wearing a topknot and sword fighting in “New Abarenbo Shogun,” and we were able to take on the challenge of touring Asia for the first time as a group, so it was a year filled with many firsts.

Program information

TV Asahi Drama Premium “New Abarenbo Shogun”
2025
01/04 (Sat) 21:00~
Starring: Ken Matsudaira, Daigo Nishihata (Naniwa Danshi), and others
Screenplay: Mika Omori
Director: Takashi Miike
Production: TV Asahi Toei

“New Abarenbo Shogun” program site
https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/abarenbo-shogun/

Naniwa Danshi OFFICIAL SITE
https://starto.jp/s/p/artist/56
https://www.storm-labels.co.jp/s/js/artist/J0011