"Aibou Season 24" premieres on October 15th, with guests Tsurutaro Kataoka and Kimiko Yo, both appearing alongside Yutaka Mizutani for the first time in 35 years.

It was announced on September 19th that the first episode of the new season of the popular detective drama "Aibou Season 24" (TV Asahi, Wednesdays at 9pm), starring actors Mizutani Yutaka and Terawaki Yasufumi, will be broadcast on October 15th, and that Kataoka Tsurutaro and Yo Kimiko will appear as guests in the extended first episode special "Atone for Your Death." This will be the first time either of them has co-starred with Mizutani in 35 years.

"AIBOU," which premiered on Saturday Wide Theater in June 2000, reached a total of 446 episodes last season. This year marks the series' "quarter century" anniversary. The script for the first special episode of season 24 was written by series creator Yasuhiro Koshimizu. It depicts a murder case surrounding a storyteller who is a Living National Treasure. This is the first time the series has used the world of storytelling as its subject, and it depicts a master who has reached the pinnacle of his art, the complex human relationships surrounding him, and a tragic incident that reflects the times, all interwoven with the entertainment value and social awareness that are characteristic of "AIBOU."

Kataoka, who plays the Living National Treasure and warm-hearted storyteller Takizawa Seiryu, will be working with Mizutani for the first time in 35 years since teaming up for the 1990 TV Asahi drama "The Detective." "I was very happy when I received the offer. It was exciting to be working with Mizutani Yutaka for the first time in 35 years!" he said, revealing his excitement as he approached filming. Despite the challenging role, he said, "I was grateful to have been led into the new world of storytelling." Mizutani also expressed his joy at working with him again, saying, "I'm very happy that we have been given the opportunity to work together again. I'm excited that we'll be appearing on screen together for the first time in 35 years."

Yu, who is participating in "AIBOU" for the first time, will play the role of Prosecutor General, Utako Garyuoka, the highest-ranking prosecutor. Yu said, "I am very grateful and happy to have finally been asked to take on the role. I have always wanted to join the 'AIBOU' team, as the story not only unravels the mystery of the crime, but also reflects the social climate and leaves a lasting impression." Like Kataoka, this will be her first time co-starring with Mizutani in 35 years, since "The Detective." Yu commented, "At the beginning and end of filming, the two of them (Mizutani and Terawaki) would shake hands and greet all the staff and cast! It's not something you get to do very often, so it really touched my heart," and seemed moved by the sense of unity on set.

Terawaki, who has worked with her in the 2018 Fuji TV series "Kuroido Murder," said she was overwhelmed by her acting, saying, "Yoshi is usually a gentle person, but when it comes to acting, she kicks into high gear. Once again, her concentration on the role was amazing." Yo's character, Utako, is a calm and collected person who never shows any emotion. Will she be an ally or foe of the Special Investigation Team, which is trying to uncover the truth behind the incident from 15 years ago? We'll have to keep an eye on her movements.

Other guests appearing on the first episode include Achiha Satomi, Hosokawa Naomi, Shuhama Harumi, and Takaya Aoyagi.

The first episode begins about 15 years ago, when the son of storyteller Seiryu Takizawa (played by Kataoka) was murdered at his mansion. A former disciple who had been excommunicated was arrested and indicted, and already given a death sentence, but suspicions arise that the accusation may have been a false one. The Special Investigation Unit begins a secret reinvestigation of the case. Seiryu was a "person of the moment," having just been designated a Living National Treasure. Ukyo (played by Mizutani) conceals his identity and becomes Seiryu's apprentice, successfully infiltrating the mansion. Kaoru (played by Terawaki) also makes contact with the Seiryu family through a different route, but... What are the light and dark sides of the Living National Treasure, and the hidden truth behind the case? And how will the top prosecutor, Prosecutor General Garyuoka Utako (played by Yo), react when she discovers the Special Investigation Unit's movements?

It has also been announced that a "Live Streaming of AIBOU Season 24 Fan Meeting" will be held in Tokyo on October 12th. Ukyo and Kaoru have previously appeared on stage for film stage greetings and "AIBOU Concerts," but this will be the first time in the show's 25-year history that they will interact with fans in the form of a "fan meeting." Participants are currently being recruited, with the application deadline being 11:59 PM on October 1st. For detailed application procedures, please refer to the program's official website. The fan meeting will be live-streamed for free on TELASA. An archived stream is also planned for later distribution. TELASA is also currently streaming all past seasons of "AIBOU," with over 450 episodes in total.