NHK's Toyotomi Kyodai! Episode 43 ends with Hidetsugu clenching his fist

Episode 43 of NHK's taiga drama "Toyotomi Kyodai!" aired on November 8, 2026, according to cinematoday.jp. Titled "The Lord's Sword Hunt," the episode depicted Hideyoshi (Sōsuke Ikematsu) issuing the sword hunt edict, and ended with Hidetsugu (Ryōsuke Yamada) clenching his fist after being left out of his uncle's praise.

In the episode, Hidenaga (Taiga Nakano) spared Seizō (Shōtarō Mamiya) and others who drove off bandits with concealed weapons, declaring them "unpunished," and knelt on the ground to apologize to the people.

Hideyoshi lavished praise on Hidenaga, saying he had "captured the hearts of the people." The episode closed on Hidetsugu, who had been left out, gripping his fist tightly.

After the broadcast, "Hidetsugu-kun" trended on X, with viewers expressing sympathy for Hidetsugu and pointing to signs he was turning to the dark side.