What Should Ieyasu Do? (2023 TV Series)
What Should Ieyasu Do? (Japanese: どうする家康, Hepburn: Dōsuru Ieyasu) is a Japanese historical television drama series produced by NHK. It serves as the 62nd installment in the network's long-running taiga drama series, a genre dedicated to historical biographical epics. The series aired from January 8 to December 17, 2023, occupying the Sunday 20:00 time slot.
Production and Broadcast
The series was written by Ryota Kosawa and directed by a team including Naoki Murahashi, Takeshi Kawakami, and Michi Ono. It succeeded The 13 Lords of the Shogun (2022) and was followed by Dear Radiance in January 2024. The narrative spans 48 episodes, detailing the life of the historical figure Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616).
Plot
The story follows the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu, born Takechiyo. Raised in a period of constant conflict, Takechiyo experiences the loss of his father and separation from his mother. The narrative explores his development from a vulnerable youth into a powerful leader, highlighting his formative encounter with the warlord Nobunaga Oda.
Cast
The series features a large ensemble cast portraying key figures of the Sengoku period.
Main Cast:
- Jun Matsumoto as Ieyasu Tokugawa
- Kasumi Arimura as Tsukiyama-dono / Sena
- Nanako Matsushima as Odai no Kata
- Junichi Okada as Nobunaga Oda
- Tsuyoshi Muro as Hideyoshi Toyotomi
- Keiko Kitagawa as Oichi
