The latest season of the popular detective drama "Aibou Season 24" (TV Asahi, Wednesdays at 9 PM), starring Mizutani Yutaka and Terawaki Yasufumi, has begun. This year marks the series' 25th anniversary, marking a milestone season. The first episode began with a surprising twist, as Sugishita Ukyo (Mizutani Yutaka) became an apprentice to the Living National Treasure storyteller, Takizawa Seiryu (Kataoka Tsurutaro). The newly introduced Prosecutor General, Garyu Oka Utako (Yo Kimiko), showed support for the Special Investigation Unit's investigation, but made some ominous moves at the end of the first episode, giving a glimpse into the "dark side of state power." Here, we would like to take a look back at the final episode of the previous season.
The final episode of "Aibou Season 23," which aired in two parts in March this year, was titled "The Monster and the Holy Sword." As a series of robberies in Tokyo raise the possibility that they may be connected to major concessions, former TV personality and Tokyo Governor Kazuoka (played by Jin Katagiri), who has gained popularity through his flashy performances, and others appeared.
One character who attracted the most attention was the mysterious man Ura Shinroku, played by Katsuya Maikuma. He introduced himself as an unemployed aspiring novelist and appeared in front of Ukyo at a tea shop. He stated his opinion that "due to the influence of colonial rule, tea culture, which was once a luxury item for European aristocrats, can now be enjoyed by two people in the Far East. The world has changed because of evil. People are reaping the benefits of evil." He then suddenly asked Ukyo for a handshake, saying, "Please be my friend," but Ukyo, perhaps sensing something, gently declined.
In the second part, his true identity is revealed. Ura was a figure with even more influence than Tokyo Governor Kazuoka, who was close to becoming Prime Minister. Miyako (Nakama Yukie) of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office shows Ukyo and Kaoru (Terawaki) documents about Ura, describing him as a "new generation fixer." "He owns rare metal mines overseas... but I have a bad feeling there's more to him than that. It's like he's laughing at the world as it falls apart."
Later, when Ukyo and Kaoru are at the small restaurant "Kotemari," Ura comes in. To the two's surprise, Ura says, "Madam, I caught a male mallard. If you'd like, I'll have it." He appears to already be close with Kotemari (Moriguchi Yoko), and gives Ukyo an eerie smile, saying, "From now on, please play with me a lot!"
On social media, Ura became a hot topic, with people saying things like "a potential final boss" and "will the showdown be postponed until next time?". When "Season 24" began airing, there were also voices of anticipation for his appearance, such as "Will Urakamika appear this season?" and "Is Urakamika doing well?" The appearance of a man who even Ukyo is wary of is likely to be one of the highlights of this season.
