GIFT Director Hirano Shunichi Talks Final Episode Battle Before Series End
The interview frames the final episode as a culmination of emotional and physical battles, with the loss of a key character reshaping the team's motivation.
Key Facts
- Director Hirano Shunichi gave an official interview on June 11 ahead of the GIFT series finale.
- The final episode features the Japan Championship final between wheelchair rugby team Blaze Bulls and rival Shark Head.
- Ace player Miyashita Ryo dies in Episode 9, and Hirano said each remaining player carries his feelings into the game.
- Hirano noted that viewer comments about protagonist Go Tetsuhito changing after Episode 6 showed audiences understood the drama is also a family story.
- Hirano said he wanted the series to depict genuine human conflict, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic made open confrontation less common.
Reporting from 1 source: Cinema Today.
Ahead of the final episode of TBS Sunday Theater drama GIFT, director Hirano Shunichi discussed the Japan Championship final match and the themes of the series. He said the tragedy of ace player Miyashita Ryo in Episode 9 means each remaining player carries his feelings into the game. Hirano also reflected on viewer reactions and his goal of depicting genuine human conflict.
Director Hirano Shunichi, who handled planning, original concept, and direction for TBS Sunday Theater drama GIFT, gave an official interview on June 11 ahead of the series finale. He discussed the Japan Championship final between the wheelchair rugby team Blaze Bulls and rival Shark Head, following the sudden death of ace player Miyashita Ryo in Episode 9. Hirano said each player now carries Ryo's feelings and fights alongside him, and that the episode shows various forms of battle beyond just the sport itself.
Hirano also recalled viewer reactions, noting that comments about the protagonist Go Tetsuhito changing after Episode 6 showed audiences understood the drama is also a family story. He appeared with cast members at a Para wheelchair rugby event in May, where spectators offered warm encouragement. Hirano said he wanted the series to depict genuine human conflict, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic made open confrontation less common.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Cinema Today 日曜劇場「GIFT」エース・涼とともに走る…平野俊一監督が語る最終回の“戦い”