New cast members have been announced for the TV Asahi drama "Borderless ~Wide Area Mobile Investigation Team~" (Wednesdays at 9 PM, starting April 8th), starring actress Tao Tsuchiya and Shori Sato of the popular group "timelesz". Actors Yuuka, Eiji Yokota, and Kotaro Tanaka will also be appearing.
This new series will begin airing in TV Asahi's traditional "Wednesday 9pm" time slot, familiar to viewers of shows like "Aibou," "Tokuso9," and "Keiji 7-nin." Written by Ryoichi Kimizuka, known for "Odoru Daisousasen" and the "Kyojo" series (both on Fuji TV), this completely original work depicts the exploits of seven detectives with troubled pasts in a mobile investigation unit—a "speeding investigation headquarters in a truck" that the National Police Agency has decided to operate on a trial basis. Tsuchiya, Sato, Kitaoji Kinya, and Yoshihiko Inohara have been announced as cast members.
Yuka will play Mio Amao, another female detective in the mobile investigation unit, alongside Momoko Nakazawa (Tsuchiya). She is intelligent, cool, and theoretical, and has a big-sister-like personality, admired by rookie detective Tsubomi Kizawa (Sato) who calls her "big sister." Regarding her appearance in this drama, Yuka said, "I myself am more of a youngest child type, so this role is a bit of a new challenge for me."
Yokota will play Hanji Suguro, a cynical veteran detective. He is an experienced interrogation expert who uses both tough and gentle tactics to corner criminals. This will be Yokota's first regular appearance in a commercial television drama series. "I think this appearance will be a way to make my parents proud," he said shyly, and regarding the character of Suguro, he said, "I think it will be even more interesting if I can convey the 'aura' that he has lived a life that is not straightforward."
Tanaka plays Koji Shiratori, the driver of the investigation headquarters vehicle and in charge of maintenance. His motto is "People may betray you, but machines will not. Neither will muscles." He is a man of few words. Tanaka, who played Abare Killer/Mikoto Nakadai in the Super Sentai series "Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger" (2003-2004), mentioned that his suit color was white and smiled, saying, "The name of this character is also 'Shiratori' (white swan), so I feel a bit of a connection to him."
Character visuals featuring the seven members of the Mobile Investigation Unit have also been released. Each character's solo shot is accompanied by a tagline that symbolizes that character.
