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Zenigata Heiji

The NHK period drama 'Zenigata Heiji,' starring Kazuya Kamenashi, will air its 89-minute special on August 21 on NHK One and stream on NHK Plus, with a cast of 13 actors across two factions.

Synthesized from 2 Yomimono stories · updated Jul 17

Kazuya Kamenashi leads the 2026 revival of the long-running character Zenigata Heiji in a period drama for NHK. The drama previously aired on the BS8K channel in March 2026, and NHK announced a terrestrial broadcast on NHK General TV on August 21. The 89-minute special will also stream on NHK Plus.

The cast now totals 13 actors. The initial lineup included Tomoya Oku, Erika Ikuta, Takenori Goto, and Katsumi Takahashi. In July, NHK added six more performers: the newcomers play members of the traveling troupe Hanakage-sha and officials of the shogunate, the two factions central to the mystery. The script is by Junpei Yamaoka, music by Akio Izutsu, and direction by Keisuke Toyoshima. Kamenashi has said he feels both honor and pressure taking on the role.

Key facts

Lead actor
Kazuya Kamenashi
Terrestrial broadcast date
August 21
Scriptwriter
Junpei Yamaoka
Director
Keisuke Toyoshima
Number of new cast members announced in July
6
Key factions in the story
Traveling troupe Hanakage-sha and shogunate officials

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

All coverage

Jul 17

Six More Cast Members Announced for NHK Zenigata Heiji

NHK has added six actors to the cast of its special period drama "Zenigata Heiji" starring Kazuya Kamenashi. The newcomers portray members of the traveling troupe Hanakage-sha and shogunate officials who hold the key to the story. The 89-minute special airs August 21 on NHK One and will be streamed on NHK Plus.

Jul 10

Kazuya Kamenashi's 'Zenigata Heiji' Gets NHK Terrestrial Broadcast in August

Kazuya Kamenashi stars in the period drama 'Zenigata Heiji,' which previously aired on BS8K in March. The drama will have its terrestrial premiere on NHK General TV on August 21. The cast includes Tomoya Oku, Erika Ikuta, Takenori Goto, and Katsumi Takahashi. The script is by Junpei Yamaoka, music by Akio Izutsu, and direction by Keisuke Toyoshima. Kamenashi expressed honor and pressure in taking on the role.