Reach Beyond the Blue Sky

Reach Beyond the Blue Sky follows Shibusawa Eiichi, a son of a farming family born in 1840, who grows up helping with indigo production and silk farming. At twenty three, he leaves his hometown to work for the government and later travels to Paris to study banking. Returning to Japan, he becomes a driving force behind the country’s first modern financial institution and helps lay the groundwork for a web of enterprises that would reshape the economy for generations. The series offers a look at a pragmatic reformer whose ideas span business, education and public service, set against a changing Meiji era. Viewers also meet his family, from his mother Shibusawa Ei to his father Ichiroemon and siblings Naka and Te, who witness his ascent.

Produced as a 2021 NHK taiga drama directed by Naoki Murahashi, Hiroshi Kurosaki and Kenji Tanaka, Reach Beyond the Blue Sky is based on Mika Ohmori's creation and dramatizes Shibusawa Eiichi's life from humble beginnings to industrial influence, weaving in the people who shaped his path and the era he helped redefine. It presents a measured balance between intimate family vignettes and expansive scenes of financial reform, giving the era a human scale through Eiichi's decisions and interactions with mentors, rivals and allies.

The provided data does not list major nominations or wins for this title. It has been recognized in broad terms for its meticulous production and strong performances, but specific award details are not included in the available information. If any nominations exist, they are not reflected here.

The program has sparked renewed interest in Shibusawa Eiichi as a pillar of modern Japan, highlighting how banking, industry and education intersected to drive Meiji era change. Its exploration of mentorship, family support, and the stakes of public service through enterprise resonates with audiences who seek stories about leadership with social responsibility. The series also foregrounds cross cultural exchange that foreshadows Japan's eventual global integration.

Reception to date suggests a steady, thoughtful drama that foregrounds reform, endurance and the balancing of private life with public responsibility. Central themes include adaptation in a changing society, ethical business practices, and the value of education as a tool for national progress. Performances and period detail have been praised for bringing a complex historical figure to life with nuance.