Takumi Kitamura joins Yuki Yamada in Song of the Samurai as global project hits U-NEXT

THE SEVEN, in partnership with TBS Television and U-NEXT, has officially launched the next phase of its ambitious global project, Song of the Samurai (formerly titled Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem). Following a successful two-night terrestrial broadcast of the special "Edo" chapter, the production has moved exclusively to U-NEXT for its highly anticipated sequel series, "Chapter: Fateful Showdown in Kyoto."

A Revolutionary Casting: Takumi Kitamura as Shinsaku Takasugi
The production has generated significant industry buzz with the surprise announcement of Takumi Kitamura (Baka’s Identity, Tokyo Revengers) joining the cast. Kitamura will portray the legendary revolutionary Shinsaku Takasugi, a pivotal figure of the Bakumatsu era who stood as the ideological antithesis to the Shinsengumi.

Kitamura, fresh off his Best Actor win at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, brings a new level of "expressive power" to a character that remained shrouded in mystery during the series’ prequel episodes. His arrival marks a "fateful showdown" between the old guard and the architects of a new Japan.

The "Soul Brothers" Reunion
The series serves as a major on-screen reunion for Yuki Yamada (playing protagonist Toshizo Hijikata) and Kitamura. Having previously displayed deep on-screen chemistry in the blockbuster Tokyo Revengers franchise, the two actors—often referred to as "soul brothers" in the Japanese industry—now find themselves on opposing sides of history.

The clash between Yamada’s "Demon" Vice-Commander and Kitamura’s "Revolutionary" creates a narrative tension that aims to redefine the historical action genre. The project features an ensemble of Japan’s elite young talent, including Nobuyuki Suzuki, Kento Nakajima (as Izo Okada), and a special appearance by Jun Matsumoto as Lord Katamori Matsudaira.

Strategic Distribution and High-Speed Action
Song of the Samurai represents a cornerstone of the "TBS × U-NEXT × THE SEVEN Global Project." By utilizing a hybrid release strategy—starting with a terrestrial "event" broadcast on TBS before moving to a digital-first model on U-NEXT—the partners are maximizing reach across traditional and streaming demographics.

Produced by THE SEVEN, the studio known for its high-end production values, the series is being hailed as "the fastest sword action in history." It blends modern character depth with stylized, high-speed choreography, based on the popular manga by Eiji Hashimoto and Shinya Umemura (Record of Ragnarok).

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