This year marks the 25th anniversary of the popular detective drama series "AIBOU." The currently airing "AIBOU Season 24" (TV Asahi, Wednesdays at 9pm) sees the "golden duo" of Sugishita Ukyo, played by Mizutani Yutaka, and Kameyama Kaoru, played by Terawaki Yasufumi, enter their 11th season. The first "AIBOU" fan meeting was held the other day, and was a huge success, with around 8,000 people applying to attend the venue, which has a capacity of 250. We spoke to the pair after the fan meeting.
"AIBO" is a story about Ukyo Sugishita, a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Special Investigation Unit, who uses his genius mind to solve difficult cases with his "partner." Since the show began airing in 2000, four partners have been born: Kameyama Kaoru, Kobe Takeru (played by Mitsuhiro Oikawa), Kai Toru (played by Hiroki Narimiya), and Kanjo Wataru (played by Sorimachi Takashi). In season 21, the original partner, Kaoru, returned to the Special Investigation Unit, where she remains to this day.
--At the fan meeting, which had a winning ratio of about 32 to 1, some fans spoke passionately for several minutes about their love for Aibō. How do you feel now that it's over?
Mizutani: It was fun. At first I wondered what would happen, but the enthusiasm was even greater than I expected. It made me realize how much everyone really enjoys watching "AIBOU."
Terawaki-san: I could tell that everyone was watching over me with kind eyes. I felt a warm energy.
Mizutani: The filming period lasts (approximately) seven months every year, and sometimes I think, "What a difficult thing to do" (laughs). But when I actually talk to the fans directly, I get the energy to "Let's do our best!"
Terawaki: I felt that there were many people who cherished Ukyo and Kaoru as a part of their lives. I was grateful for that.
--In the first and second episodes, which were split into two parts, the Special Missions Unit faced off against the Prosecutor General (Yo Kimiko).
Mizutani: It was an extraordinary story, with Ukyo becoming an apprentice to a storyteller (laughs).
Terawaki: It was also extraordinary that they went up against the Attorney General. I think it's something that only the Special Investigation Unit (within the police) can do, refusing to bow to state power for the sake of justice.
Mizutani: The Special Investigation Unit's attitude is consistent. It was a typical "Aibō" episode.
--I also thought Ukyo's screaming scene in the first episode (broadcast on October 15th) was extraordinary (laughs).
Terawaki: I wasn't in the scene so I watched the filming, but it wasn't just a scream. In the test it was just "Aaaaaah!", but in the actual filming they also screamed "Uuuuh!" (laughs). All the staff had a hard time holding back their laughter (laughs)! When the cut was called, everyone burst out laughing.
Mizutani: I thought that's the kind of thing Ukyo would shout (laughs). It was a fun scene. "Aibou" is a socially conscious show, but it also has elements of entertainment. That was fully demonstrated in episodes 1 and 2.
--In episode 3, Kato Seishiro will be appearing for the first time in about a year. This will be his fourth appearance in "Aibou."
Terawaki: Seishiro is really cheerful and livens up the atmosphere on set.
Mizutani: It's fun to have him around. What's more, he has great respect for us cast members and the staff. I think that's great. He's appeared in "Aibou" four times, and each time I feel like I'm watching him grow.
Episode 3 of "AIBOU Season 24," "Police Officer B," will air on October 29th.
