「龍馬伝」

坂本龍馬像～ 高知県の桂浜 (2007年4月11日）

It has been officially announced that Masha will play the role of 坂本龍馬 in 2010 NHK大河ドラマ「龍馬伝」!

This is a big news in Japan since yesterday! Mainly because 坂本龍馬 played a very important role in Japan's history and he had lots of supporters, even till now. In addition Masha act in 大河ドラマ! This is a thing most people have never thought of.

NHK has approached Masha since one year ago to discuss on this project and Masha only accepted this offer in Oct. According to the press, Masha's first reaction was 「僕なんかでいいんですか？」. It's understandable that Masha needs such a long time to consider taking up this offer. He must be very pressurized now as he needs to protray the role well in order not to let 坂本龍馬's fans and the staff down. Moreover this is a very big project and the drama will run for one year. Filming will start in August 2009 and Masha has started reading 坂本龍馬 information and expressed that he wishes to start learning sword fighting skills.

I am really impressed by the reason why NHK has picked Masha:

「龍馬は３３歳で亡くなるまで、前進し進化し続けた人。福山さんはそのイメージにぴったり。俳優としても成長期で、これからが旬の人だと強く思った」とほ れ込んだ鈴木氏らが粘り強く交渉を続け、発表ギリギリの１０月下旬に正式ＯＫをもらった。「決め手はしつこさ」と笑った同氏だが、龍馬が薩長同盟に尽力 し、海援隊を結成した地、長崎が福山の故郷だったことも要因となったようだ。

Yes, Masha is a 'never ending' person and always try to strive to a higher stage.

Actually I was quite happy to hear that Masha is acting as 坂本龍馬 as I find that it is somehow fated that I am related to this whole event. I visited 桂浜,高知 last April, during Masha's 17年モノ　tour and that was the time when I knew about 龍馬. At first I could not understand why he has so many fans before my trip. During the trip I found out more about him and understand why people like him even till now. He is really talented. I was influenced by the 龍馬 craze and bought some 龍馬 items. The item I love most is my 龍馬キユーピー. I guess with this drama more tourists may go to 桂浜.

Anyway, 2010 is another year I am looking forward to! And I hope to go 高知 again someday as I really love the place!