Toshiaki Karasawa:Starring in TV Tokyo's drama series "Coach" based on the original work by Shunichi Doba for the first time in seven years. "I'm extremely confident that I can make a more entertaining drama than other stations."

It was revealed on August 26th that actor Toshiaki Karasawa will be starring in TV Tokyo's "Drama 9" "Coach" (Fridays at 9pm, with the first episode extended by 15 minutes), which starts on October 17th. This will be Karasawa's first starring role in a TV Tokyo drama series in seven years, since "Harassment Game" in October 2018.

The original work is a police novel of the same name (Sougen Mystery Bunko) by Shunichi Doba, a former newspaper reporter who has produced many best-selling novels with his realistic portrayals. A "dull old man" named Kotaro Mukai appears before a group of young detectives who have failed in their investigations, are at a dead end, and are ready to run away. In fact, Mukai is a special agent dispatched from the Metropolitan Police Department's Personnel Division 2. With the "coach's" accurate advice, the detectives grow not only as detectives but also as people... This is a unique police entertainment.

After each episode has aired, it will be available on Amazon's video streaming service "Prime Video," TVer, and "Net TV Tokyo."

The following are comments from Karasawa, who plays the main character Mukai Kotaro, Doba, the original author, and the network's producer Tsuzuki Mayuko.

◇Comment from Toshiaki Karasawa(role of Kotaro Mukai)

--Please tell us how you felt when you found out you would be appearing in the drama.

This is my second time appearing in a TV Tokyo drama series, and I get the impression that it's easier to work at a more relaxed pace than other networks. After reading the original work and discussing it with Director Oikawa (Takuro), I thought we could create an interesting entertainment piece.

--Please tell us what you think are the highlights and things to look out for in the character you play, Mukai Kotaro.

Mukai, the character I play, is a bit of an oddball, and I can't let that show too much, so I think teamwork with the young actors is important this time. There are many scenes where the young actors get to show off, so I think it will be very rewarding for them as well.

When I was younger, I would think really seriously about my performance even for small roles, so I'm glad to see them do the same. I think that makes the work even more interesting.

- Please give a message to the viewers who are looking forward to the drama.

To be honest, I don't think it has a chance of winning in terms of ratings (laughs). But I'm extremely confident that it will be more entertaining than the dramas on other networks, so I think you can look forward to it. Also, if there are any young actors you're interested in, please support them!

◇Comment from original author Shunichi Doba

When it comes to police novels, there are many stories in which a senior officer strictly teaches his junior officer investigative know-how, in a "watch my back" style.

But what about in the Reiwa era? The word "coach" describes someone who "specializes in teaching," not a "senior." He doesn't utter harsh words. However, he clearly says what needs to be said to convince younger players and shows them the direction they should take. Who is Kotaro Mukai, who continues to coach in this Reiwa era?

It's been several years since I wrote this story. Even in those years, the techniques for "teaching others" have surely changed. I can't wait to see how the Reiwa era coach will be portrayed in the film adaptation.

◇ Comment from producer Mayuko Tsuzuki (TV Tokyo Drama Production Department)

I don't think there are many encounters in life where you can say, "I wouldn't be who I am today without this person."

When I look at Mukai, I wish I had someone like that who could guide me in a casual way, sometimes strict, but not bossy...!

I hope so, but the young detectives in this story are probably able to meet Mukai because they are people who try to grow on their own, without relying on Mukai's helping hand. And Mukai himself is also helped to grow by them.

I think it would be great if this drama could not only be a detective drama, but also depict such "encounters between people" and help viewers start the next day with a slightly more positive attitude.