Idaten (TV series)

Idaten: Tokyo Olympic Monogatari (いだてん〜東京オリムピック噺〜, Idaten: Tokyo Orimpikku Banashi) is a Japanese historical drama television series, the 58th NHK taiga drama. It aired from January 6 to December 15, 2019, and was written by Kankuro Kudo.

The drama tells the story of Japan's participation in the Olympic Games, starting with its first participation in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics and culminating in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It follows two main characters:

• Shiso Kanakuri: (portrayed by Kento Kaku), a marathon runner who represented Japan in the 1912 and 1920 Olympics and is considered the "father of the marathon" in Japan. His story forms the first half of the series.

• Masaji Tabata: (portrayed by Sadao Abe), a swimming coach and sports journalist who played a crucial role in bringing the 1964 Tokyo Olympics to Japan. His story forms the second half of the series.

The title, "Idaten," refers to a Buddhist guardian deity known for speed and energy. The series portrays the struggles and triumphs of the individuals involved in promoting sports and the Olympic movement in Japan during a turbulent period of history, including war and economic hardship. It covers a wide range of topics, including the development of sports in Japan, the impact of war on athletes, and the cultural significance of the Olympic Games.