On Tuesday, NHK unveiled the primary cast members for next year's taiga drama "Ryomaden." A total of 21 names were officially announced.

It was already known that Masaharu Fukuyama is playing the lead as Sakamoto Ryoma. Although Ryoko Hirosue has been cast as his first love, there will be at least two more key female characters: Yoko Maki as his wife, and Shihori Kanjiya as a swordswoman he encounters.

The rest of the roster includes Tetsuya Takeda, Teruyuki Kagawa, Nao Omori, Wakako Shimazaki, Kaoru Okunuki, Yo Oizumi, Takeru Sato, Jun Kaname, and Pierre Taki, most of whom have never appeared in a taiga drama before.

Filming is scheduled to start at the end of August, and the series broadcast will begin in January.