Date: From 10.00 p.m., 24 September 2014
Cast: Seto Koji, Hakamada Yoshihiko, Usuda Asami, Tsurumi Shingo, Makita Sports, Sugawara Daikichi, Ishiguro Hideo, Saito Yoshiki, Ikeoka Ryosuke
Synopsis: Japan’s first destination-based professional bicycle road racing team called the Nasu Vengas is born in the town of Nasu, at the foot of the Nasu mountain range in northern Ibaraki Prefecture. Small companies and shops have become sponsors with the aim of revitalising the region. However, the issue is a lack of funds for this symbol of regional development. The operations go downhill in no time. 28-year-old Hirai Mamoru (Seto Koji), an employee of a small local bank, is sent as the manager to turnaround the Nasu Vengas by his superior, Kamikawa Masanori (Sugawara Daikichi). The condition thrust at him is that he has to get the Nasu Vengas operations in shape within two months. Mamoru, who is going to get married to his girlfriend Sano Miyako (Usuda Asami), has been dwelling on a failure in a job and works hard in order to return to the bank. He meets the captain of the Nasu Vengas, 39-year-old veteran Toyama Kazunari (Hakamada Yoshihiko) who has provided assists by being the human windshield for 20 consecutive years so that the ace gets the upper hand. At first, Mamoru locks horns with the racers, but he is gradually moved by their way of life. Kazunari stakes everything on the present – his beloved bicycle road racing – rather than the future. However, as the deadline for the turnaround of the Nasu Vengas closes in, Mamoru makes a decision which results in a bitter clash between him and Kazunari. The Nasu Vengas have to face a race held in Nasu that will determine the team’s survival. This is the story of the search for various answers and those who try to move forward.
Official Website: www.nhk.or.jp/utsunomiya
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