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Saba Ryotaro's masterpiece, depicting the spirit of the Japanese people, is finally brought to the screen as a long-cherished dream! 10 years in conception, 3 years in filming. A special drama broadcast over 3 years in 3 parts.
A special drama delivered on an unprecedented scale in all aspects by a luxurious cast and staff. The youthful lives of three men confronting the era of "The Nation of Boys, Meiji."
How they desperately lived, thought, and pursued their own way of life while confronting the creation of new values amidst the torrent of the times.
A work that gives courage and hints for living to modern people.

[Contents]
Part 1 (5 episodes, broadcast in 2009)
Episode 1 "The Nation of Boys," Episode 2 "Soaring Ambitions," Episode 3 "The Nation Stirring," Episode 4 "Outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War," Episode 5 "The Student Abroad"

[Story]
In the early days of the birth of modern Japan, "Meiji," there were three men in Matsuyama, Iyo, Shikoku. The Akiyama brothers, Yoshifuru and Saneyuki, who would play a significant role in the Russo-Japanese War, and Masaoka Shiki, who revolutionized tanka and haiku poetry.
The three grew up in the climate of Matsuyama and eventually each set off for Tokyo. Yoshifuru entered the Army Officer School, while Saneyuki and Shiki passed the entrance examination for the Imperial University Preparatory School.
Saneyuki and Shiki, who dreamed of success and advancement, went to Tokyo, but were troubled about their future. While Shiki pursued a straightforward path in literature, Saneyuki decided to live as a soldier like his older brother, dropped out of the university preparatory school, and enrolled in the Naval Academy.
Meanwhile, dark clouds gathered over the Korean Peninsula. Triggered by internal strife within the royal family, a war broke out between Japan and Qing China. Yoshifuru was dispatched and participated in the attack on Port Arthur fortress. Shiki covered the battlefield as a war correspondent.
Saneyuki participated in his first real battle aboard a cruiser. After the war, the opportunity for Saneyuki to study abroad in America arose.

[BOX Limited Bonus Footage]
① Special Drama "Saka no Ue no Kumo" with Miho Kanno (28 minutes)
② Making of Special Drama "Saka no Ue no Kumo" ~We Want to Portray the Reality of Meiji!~ (44 minutes)
③ Masahiro Motoki Talks About Special Drama "Saka no Ue no Kumo" (42 minutes)
④ Meiji in Reality! Special Drama "Saka no Ue no Kumo" (5 minutes)
⑤ Playing the Women of Meiji! Special Drama "Saka no Ue no Kumo" (3 minutes)
Includes a 20-page BOX-exclusive bonus booklet (interviews with cast and staff, etc.)

[Staff]
Original Work/Calligraphy: Ryotaro Shiba
Screenplay: Hisashi Nozawa, et al.
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Narration: Ken Watanabe

[Cast]
Saneyuki Akiyama: Masahiro Motoki
Yoshifuru Akiyama: Hiroshi Abe
Masaoka Shiki: Teruyuki Kagawa
Ritsu Masaoka: Miho Kanno, et al.

Distributor: NHK Enterprises
(C)2010 NHK