Kentaro Maeda from the drama "PJ ~Air Rescue Team~" is a hot topic

The third episode of the drama series "PJ ~Air Rescue Team~" (TV Asahi, Thursdays 9pm), starring actor Seiyo Uchino, aired on May 8th, focusing on trainee Shirakawa, played by Kentaro Maeda.

◇The following contains spoilers.

The drama was produced with the full cooperation of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and depicts trainees aiming to become pararescue jumpers (PJs) of the Air Rescue Wing, an elite rescue unit known as the "last line of defense" in saving lives, as they go through rigorous training under the strict and unconventional chief instructor, Usami (Uchino).

In episode 3, Shirakawa, who was the top performer and was relied on by the other trainees, was struck by a fear of water before sea training. Shirakawa, who grew up in an orphanage and aims to become a rescuer and become a hero to his fellow trainees, pretends to be calm and acts strong in front of his peers, but on the day of sea training, he cannot suppress his fear and is unable to jump into the sea.

While many of the instructors gave up on Shirakawa after his failure, Usami did not abandon him and instead engaged in a sumo match where they confronted each other honestly. Shirakawa then complained, "I'm not the kind of person people can rely on...I'll never be a rescuer or a hero!"

Usami smiled at Shirakawa and said, "Even if you show your weak and pathetic side, you can still be a hero. Don't act tough on your own, why don't you rely on the people in front of you more? We instructors are here only for you. You can rely on us more...like family." Usami's words lifted Shirakawa's spirits, and he succeeded in descending into the sea in the next training session.

Maeda, who plays Shirakawa, played Kamen Rider Revise/Igarashi Kazuki in the special effects drama "Kamen Rider Revise" (2021-2022). On social media, viewers commented, "Maeda-kun is a character who is desperate to become a hero, and it's even more touching when you consider Revise," "Shirakawa!! You're a hero!!!," "Shirakawa-kun, you want to be a hero? He's already a Kamen Rider (not)," "It's heartwarming to hear Shirakawa-kun say he wants to be a hero," and "It's heartwarming to see him complain after being a hero (Kamen Rider) for a year."