Daigo Nishihata of the seven-member group Naniwa Danshi has been confirmed to star in his first solo leading role in a serialized television drama, Matori and Kyoken.
The drama will start next year, from January 20 in the MBS/TBS โDramaismโ programming block. Daigo plays the role of Kyounosuke Umezawa, a former actor who falls from grace and becomes a drug dealer. A newly released poster visual also reveals Daigoโs striking transformation to blond hair for the role. The drama is directed by Hiroshi Shinagawa, who is also active as a comedian, and co-stars Yoshihiko Hosoda and Osamu Mukai.
The story begins with a drug-related murder at a club in Roppongi. After overdosing on cocaine, a customer fatally stabs a waiter before dying himself. The person who sold the drugs was Kyounosuke Umezawa (played by Daigo Nishihata ), a former child actor whose once-promising career spiraled downward. At age 15, he gained temporary fame through a hit delinquent film, but was later suspended after a violent alcohol-related incident. He lost his work, accumulated massive debts through illegal gambling, and in order to repay them, turned to underground jobs before ultimately becoming a drug dealer. Though he has experience in martial arts, he is notably weak in real combat.
Narcotics agent (commonly known as โMatoriโ) Tooru Kurosaki (played by Yoshihiko), who is investigating the case, has an abnormal obsession with drugs. One day, as Kyounosuke and his associates are packaging narcotics in an apartment, the narcotics squad raids the premises. Kyounosuke narrowly escapes but is soon captured by the sharp-witted Kurosaki. Instead of arresting him, Tooru threatened him by saying, โBecome my S (spy).โ Kyounosuke is thus forced into becoming Tooru’s informant.
Before long, Kyounosuke is also arrested by Akito Katsuragi (played by Osamu), Assistant Inspector of the Metropolitan Police Departmentโs Organized Crime and Weapons Control Division. Akito likewise orders him to become a spy for the police. Caught between the narcotics bureau and the police, Kyounosuke is pushed into the hopeless role of a double spy. Who, in the final moment, can he truly trust? Madness and desire surrounding drugs grow ever darker and more grotesquely intertwined in this intense action entertainment that exposes the depths of drug corruption.
Creator of the original manga, Takashi Tajima commented, โWhen I first saw this drama, I couldnโt help exclaiming โHow cool!โ in my Hiroshima dialect. Nishihata-kun is truly impressive! Especially the action scenes. I never imagined I would see this side of him. Iโm certain his fans will fall in love with him all over again.โ He continued, โHosoda-san and Mukai-san deliver outstanding performances as well. I found myself thinking, โWhy is the quality this high? This is a late-night drama, isnโt it? What a waste!โ (laughs). Director Shinagawaโs ability to bring together such a richly individual cast is remarkable. I am truly impressed. While the drama stays faithful to the original work, it also offers a distinctly new appeal. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.โ
Daigo Nishihata comment
Iโm Daigo Nishihata, and Iโll be playing the role of Umezawa Kyounosuke, the main character in the drama Matori and Kyoken. When I first heard about the role, my honest reaction was, โEh!? as a drug dealer!?โ (laughs).
I was really surprised, because I never expected an offer for such an edgy, outlaw-type character to come my way. After reading the original manga, my honest thoughts were, โEh!? Can this really be aired on terrestrial TV?โ (laughs).
That’s because the story is definitely rather bold (laughs). But before I knew it, I was completely pulled into its underground world.
Umezawa gets caught between Kurosaki from the Narcotics Bureau, played by Hosoda-san, and the police officer Katsuragi, played by Mukai-san. Sometimes theyโre oddball buddies, sometimes they turn into some kinda spies.
Under Director Shinagawaโs direction, the wild, slapstick chaos is wrapped in flashy action and plenty of humor, turning it into a super exciting and energetic show!
Weโll be bringing you a crazy, underground world every Tuesday late at night! Look forward to it!
Comment/Drama Synopsis Translated by: Shiro (@nishihatas)