Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story (2019)
A landmark NHK taiga drama tracing Japan's extraordinary Olympic journey from Stockholm in 1912 to the historic Tokyo Games of 1964.
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story - Series Information
- Original Title: いだてん〜東京オリムピック噺〜
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, War, Politics
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 45 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 47
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: NHK
- Production Countries: Japan
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story - Plot
Traces Japan's history with the Olympic games and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics for viewers before Tokyo hosts the event again in 2020. The first half tells the story of marathon runner Kanakuri Shiso, who became one of the first Japanese nationals to participate in the Olympics in Stockholm in 1912. The second half features Tabata Masaji, the coach who laid the foundations of Japanese swimming and helped bring the games to Tokyo for the first time in 1964.
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this sweeping historical epic:
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story - Cast & Crew
Writers
- Kankuro Kudo
Main Cast
- Kantarô Nakamura
- Sadao Abe
- Haruka Ayase
- Toma Ikuta
- Hana Sugisaki
- Kento Nagayama
- Ryo Katsuji
- Yutaka Takenouchi
- Shido Nakamura
- Charlotte Kate Fox
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story - FAQs
What is Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story about?
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story chronicles Japan's long relationship with the Olympic Games. The first half follows marathon runner Kanakuri Shiso at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, while the second half focuses on swimming coach Tabata Masaji and his pivotal role in bringing the Games to Tokyo in 1964.
Is Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story based on a true story?
Yes, the series is rooted in real history. Kanakuri Shiso was a genuine Japanese marathon runner who competed at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, and Tabata Masaji was a real sports administrator who championed Japan's bid to host the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The drama fictionalizes and dramatizes their documented lives.
Who are the main actors in Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story?
The series stars Kantarô Nakamura and Sadao Abe in the lead roles, supported by Haruka Ayase, Toma Ikuta, Hana Sugisaki, Kento Nagayama, Ryo Katsuji, Yutaka Takenouchi, Shido Nakamura, and Charlotte Kate Fox.
How many episodes does Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story have?
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story consists of 47 episodes across a single season, each running approximately 45 minutes. The series aired on NHK throughout 2019, covering Japan's Olympic history from 1912 through the historic 1964 Tokyo Games.
When did Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story first air?
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story premiered on NHK on January 6, 2019. The series concluded later that same year, running for 47 episodes. Its broadcast was timed to build anticipation ahead of Tokyo's hosting of the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Who wrote Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story?
The series was written by Kankuro Kudo, one of Japan's most celebrated screenwriters and playwrights. Kudo is known for his inventive, genre-blending storytelling style, and Idaten marked his debut writing an NHK taiga drama, bringing a distinctive contemporary energy to the historical format.
How was Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story received by critics?
The series received a mixed reception in Japan. Critics praised Kankuro Kudo's ambitious, unconventional approach to the taiga drama format and the strong ensemble performances, but some viewers found its non-linear narrative structure and comedic tone less accessible than traditional NHK historical dramas.
What genre is Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story?
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story is a historical drama blending sports narrative, political intrigue, and slice-of-life storytelling. As an NHK taiga drama, it spans multiple decades of Japanese history, covering the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras through the lens of the country's Olympic ambitions.
More About Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story
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