Scripted

TBS Television, U-Next, and The Seven have shared further insights regarding their major collaboration titled the TBS × U-Next × The Seven Global Project. This initiative marks the first live-action adaptation of the acclaimed manga, "Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem", written by Shinya Umemura and illustrated by Eiji Hashimoto.

Set in Kyoto during the Bakumatsu period, the series offers a bold, action-packed interpretation of the Shinsengumi, the most powerful samurai group in Japanese history.

Yuki Yamada stars as the protagonist, Toshizo Hijikata, leading a cast of talented young actors including Nobuyuki Suzuki, Aoi Nakamura, Kanata Hosoda, Shuhei Uesugi, Kisetsu Fujiwara, Yosuke Sugino, Shuntaro Yanagi, Shuto Miyazaki, and Hihio Iwanaga. The project also features high-profile performances by Kento Nakajima as Izo Okada, Jun Matsumoto as Katamori Matsudaira, and Go Ayano as the formidable Kamo Serizawa.

Following the broadcast of the special drama "Chapter: Youthful Days in Edo", a surprise announcement revealed that Takumi Kitamura has joined the cast for the subsequent series, "Chapter: Fateful Showdown in Kyoto". Kitamura portrays the legendary revolutionary Shinsaku Takasugi, a mysterious and intellectual "outsider" who stands in opposition to the Shinsengumi. This casting reunites Kitamura and Yamada, who have shared a long professional bond through projects like the "Tokyo Revengers" series.

The production emphasizes a "Japanese sword-action entertainment" style, blending modern character depth with high-speed choreography. Kitamura described his character as a "monster" who moves the world through intellect rather than brute force, while Chief Producer Akira Morii noted the powerful on-screen chemistry between the two leads.

“Seeing Yuki standing at the center as Toshizo Hijikata—with such a commanding presence—I felt a simple, clear impulse: that as an elusive 'outsider' standing before Hijikata and his unwavering path, I should just 'tear it all down,'” stated Takumi Kitamura.

"Chapter: Fateful Showdown in Kyoto" consists of six episodes and is currently available for exclusive streaming on U-Next. New episodes are scheduled for release every Friday at 7:00 PM (JST).