Ichikawa Ebizo joins the cast of NTV Spring 2014 drama "Yowakutemo Katemasu Aoshi-sensei to Heppoko Koukou Kyuuji no Yabou"

Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo will be acting in a drama for the first time in 5 years as he plays a former baseball player-turned-coach and the rival of Ninomiya Kazunari's character in the NTV Spring 2014 drama "Yowakutemo Katemasu Aoshi-sensei to Heppoko Koukou Kyuuji no Yabou". The drama will begin its run from 12 April at 9pm on Saturdays.

Ichikawa plays the role of Yachida Kentaro who was the former ace of Doutou Senior High School's famous baseball team which won the Koshien. At that time, Yachida also beat Tamo Aoshi (Ninomiya) during one of the matches in the tournament. After graduation, Yachida became a professional player but had to retire due to a shoulder injury. He returns to his alma mater to become the special coach of the baseball team and reunites with his old-time rival as Tamo is the coach of the weak baseball team from Odawara Jotoku Senior High School which is trying to win the Koshien as well.

Ichikawa's signature work was the 2003 Taiga "MUSASHI" and he last appeared in the TBS 2009 drama "MR. BRAIN". He commented that it has been a long time since he appeared in a TV drama and he is happy at the thought of working with Ninomiya and hopes to make the drama interesting together with the young cast. On the other hand, Ninomiya said that although they play rivals in the drama, he thinks that everyone will get along very well on the set.

Source: Sanspo