Season 1 • Episode 49
LatestA dramatized biography of the second of Japan's three legendary leaders. Rising from obscurity, Hideyoshi served under the command of Oda Nobunaga. With an extraordinary combination of intelligence, bravery and military skill, Hideyoshi rose to near-absolute power and greatly expanded upon Nobunaga's unification of Japan's warlords. This series also focused on Hideyoshi's personal life, particularly his relationships with his mother and his wife, and the pair's rivalry for influence over him.
Acting
Naoto Takenaka's transformation from fool to tyrant.
Production
Massive battle sequences with practical period detail.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Naoto Takenaka was primarily known as a comedian before this role; his casting shocked Japanese audiences.
This NHK taiga drama aired during a recession-era Japan, making Hideyoshi's rise from nothing deeply resonant with viewers facing economic uncertainty.
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