It was revealed on November 22nd that actor Kamikawa Takaya will star in Fuji TV's "Wednesday 10pm" drama "Mondai Property" (Wednesdays at 10pm, 15 minutes extended for the first episode), which will begin airing on January 15th, 2025. This will be Kamikawa's first appearance in a Fuji TV series in eight years, since the 2017 drama "Sakurako-san no Ashishita ni wa Shitai ga Miteru". Furthermore, in his long career of 35 years, this will be his first lead role in a Fuji TV series (excluding Kansai TV productions).
"Mondai Property" is a real estate mystery in which a smart, strong, and unconventional hero and a kind-hearted heroine brilliantly solve the mysteries of bizarre incidents that occur in real estate properties, such as suicides, poltergeists, disappearances, and trash houses.
The original work is "Problem Property" and "Room Where Angels Live" (both published by Kobunsha) by Takahiro Okura, a writer who also wrote the screenplay for the animated film "Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Five-Point Star" (2024). This will be the third collaboration between Okura, the original author, and producer Satoko Kashikawa, following the dramas "Fukaya Keibutsu no Greeting" (2014) and "Keishicho Ikimono-ka" (2017). The script will be written by Yuko Matsuda, who worked on the drama series "Gokusen" and "Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai" (both on Nippon Television), and the director will be Kamiya Kaede.
Kamikawa will play Inugashira Kotaro, a mysterious man with a unique aura who wears all black clothes and a yellow jacket. He appears like the wind in front of Wakamiya Emiko, who works in a department at a real estate company that handles complaints about mysterious phenomena such as haunted properties, and solves cases like lightning, but his true identity is unknown.
Comments from Kamikawa and others are as follows.
◇Comment from Kamikawa Takaya
--This will be Kamikawa's first appearance in a Fuji TV drama series in eight years.
It's been eight years since he last appeared in a drama series, "There's a Corpse Buried Under Sakurako's Feet," and it's been 17 years since he last starred in "Swan's Fool! ~Pocket Money 30,000 Yen Love~" (produced by KTV, October 2007), so he feels an indescribable sense of responsibility. Up until now, I have appeared in many memorable works for Fuji TV. I am truly happy to be welcomed back as the lead. That's why I want to do my best... that's how I feel.
--Could you tell us your impressions of the original work and the script?
I read the original work, and while it has elements of mystery, it also has a touch of comedy, so I enjoyed it as a light-hearted mystery novel. I was driven to turn the pages to see what kind of cases Emiko and Inugashira would encounter and what kind of exploits they would show. I think that if this world view were made into a drama as it is, it would be a very interesting drama, and I am happy to be able to participate in such a work.
--What is your impression of the character you play, Inugashira Kotaro?
Inugashira is a man who judges and acts things by going a little outside of so-called societal norms. I think that the readers were sure to enjoy the unconventional behavior he shows as he deals with each case and the people involved in them. I also read the original work and found his unconventional behavior very appealing. I think the viewers will also be excited to see what he will do next, and I will cherish that and try to act carefully.
--Please give a message to the viewers who are looking forward to the broadcast! Since this is a mystery, the drama will have as many bizarre tricks as the original. I want to make it a work that both mystery fans and those who just love drama will enjoy. I also hope you will pay attention to the mismatched duo of Inugashira and Emiko as they face difficult cases. Please look forward to it.
◇Comment from the original author, Okura Takahiro
When I heard about the drama adaptation, I checked and found that I wrote the first episode of "Problem Property" in the fall of 2011. I am very happy and honored that a work from over 10 years ago has now been shed in new light by being adapted into a drama. I love mystery dramas, and I spend my time watching mystery dramas in between writing mystery novels. The people who will be appearing in the drama are all people I look up to and are legends. I can't wait to see how the story I wrote will turn out. However, there is one thing I am worried about. There are several episodes in the original that are like ghost stories. I know I'm writing this myself, but I'm not very good with scary stories, so I'm a little nervous about how they will be reproduced on screen. What if I can't sleep at night?
◇Comment from producer Ebana Matsuki (Fuji TV)
There are more than 65 million houses in Japan. Among them, the number of properties called "psychologically defective properties" - so-called "accident properties" - is said to be increasing at a rate of more than 10,000 per year. With that in mind, it's not surprising that something could happen in the house we live in now... The protagonist, who has a strong sense of smell and quirks, will brilliantly solve the problem properties where such strange phenomena occur. Curses, ghosts, sleep paralysis... bring any trouble you have at home. From comedy to serious roles... we hope to deliver a higher level of entertainment with the ``wonderful!'' Kamikawa, who has the ability to act in a variety of roles. Please look forward to it!
◇Comment from producer Kashikawa Satoko (Kyodo TV)
I first encountered the original work of "Problem Property" about 10 years ago. I have adapted two of Okura-sensei's works, "Fukaya Inspector's Greeting" and "Metropolitan Police Department Creatures Division," into a series, but I was immediately captivated by this work, which has an explosive personality unlike any of the previous works. The story has bouncy characters, a sense of speed, and a strong mystery structure... Our team is working together to keep the charm of the original work intact, while also providing the excitement of the horror-like images and well-paced dialogue that are unique to the drama. I feel pressured to be able to welcome Takaya Kamikawa, who has a unique presence in the mystery drama world, to the incredibly unconventional role of Inugami, but I can't contain my excitement.
The mysteries and secrets hidden in the real estate will thrill you, the comical dialogue will thrill you, and the brilliant resolution will leave you refreshed! A cute dog will also appear as an important character. Look forward to the new humorous mystery drama "Problem Property," which will be a delight to enjoy over and over again!
