Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Official Website
www.nhk.or.jp/dodra/scrum
Broadcast
From 8.15 p.m., Saturdays, 1 September 2018
Network
NHK
Story
47-year-old Marukawa Ryohei, who has been released from prison, is walking to a riverbed in search of a place to die when a rugby ball hits his back. Men mostly over the age of 40 are practicing rugby on the grounds right beside the river. An elderly man called Utatsu Sadao comes chasing after the ball. Utatsu, who leads the rugby team Yanchars, drags a bewildered Marukawa along with him and invites Marukawa to join their game. The next day, Marukawa watches a Yanchars game from the spectator stands. However, during the game, Utatsu crouches and is unable to move. Marukawa is asked by the team’s captain Kaneda Junzo to replace Utatsu. This encounter changes Marukawa’s feelings. He settles on living because of the interference of these warm, insufferable men, and is able to relate to them through rugby. His teammates begin to take a good look at their own lives because of him and his secret.
Characters
Takahashi Katsunori as Marukawa Ryohei
A former rugby player who had served time in prison for causing bodily injury that resulted in death. After he is released from prison, he is about to commit suicide at a riverbed when he is saved by Utatsu Sadao. He joins the Osaka Yodogawa Yanchars which is a rugby team past 40. He is a daughter with his ex-wife Sakamaki Yuri but has not seen the two of them even after his release. He becomes the fullback on the team.
Watanabe Ikkei as Jinno Susumu
He is the life of the team and plays in the position of lock. He has been marginalised in his company and is sick of being bullied by his subordinate. 13 years ago, his wife disappeared with another man. He lives with his daughter Mio, but he has been worrying about the delicate atmosphere between him and her.
Hagiwara Kenichi as Utatsu Sadao
The founder of the Osaka Yodogawa Yanchars. He plays in the position of fullback. After the end of the war, he began playing rugby due to the influence of his father who had coached rugby in school. Known to his teammates as Uta-san, he is mild-mannered, broad-minded and has a mysterious charisma which envelops people.
Murata Takehiro as Kaneda Junzo
The merciless captain of the Yanchars. He plays in the position of number 8. He works in the building division at a municipal office. He met Utatsu Sadao 15 years ago right after the death of his wife. He was asked to join the team and does it reluctantly. He has a competitive character and is tough in his coaching.
Toda Naho as Sakamaki Yuri
Marukawa Ryohei’s ex-wife. She was the manager of the rugby team back in high school. Murakawa caused bodily injury that resulted in death and they divorced when he was in prison. However she believes his words that this is just for form’s sake and has continued to live in Osaka with their daughter Hana.
Scriptwriter
Sakurai Tsuyoshi (Bakumatsu Gurume Bushimeshi Series, Masuyama Chounouryokushi Jimusho)
Original Work
Fuwaku no Scrum by Ando Yusuke
© jdramas.wordpress.com.
