A New Year's special drama, " Extremely Inappropriate! Extremely Inappropriate! ~Can't We Talk Seriously?~," based on the popular drama " Extremely Inappropriate! " (TBS), starring Sadao Abe and written by Kudo Kankuro, will be broadcast on January 4, 2026. The special drama will depict what happens after the series begins. Abe said, "There are quite a few parts that feel inappropriate right from the New Year, so I hope you'll look forward to it," and we spoke to him about his thoughts on the series.
◇
The drama, which aired from January to March 2024, follows Ogawa Ichiro (Abe), a Spartan-style junior high school physical education teacher who accidentally travels back in time from 1986 (Showa 61) to 2024. He makes a series of remarks that are "inappropriate" in the Reiwa era, ignoring compliance. This is a low-minded time-travel comedy that gives people in the Reiwa era, who are bound by compliance, an opportunity to think. It depicts people who live their lives to the fullest, always "valuing their family" and "valuing their work," no matter the era.
The work's nickname, " Extremely Inappropriate!," was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2024 U-Can New Word and Popular Phrase Awards, drawing much attention. Abe seems to have realized the power of the work, saying, "Even now, people often mention ' Extremely Inappropriate!'. It shows that there are a lot of people who watch the work."
Regarding the Showa era in which the story is set, he said, "It's not that it's changed since this work, but I feel like there are a lot of TV programs that talk about the Showa era. When I watch BS, I hear a lot of Showa pop songs. It makes me think that it must have been an interesting era."
In the special drama, Ichiro, who has been granted the ability to travel to any era of his choosing through a time tunnel, rises up once again to change the future of his daughter Junko (Yuumi Kawai Kawai). This time, he travels not only to the Reiwa era, but also to the future and the past, stirring up trouble wherever he goes. Noriko Eguchi will guest star as Taira Junko, a Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member who influences Ichiro's granddaughter Nagisa ( Riisa Naka ).
Regarding Miyato's script, Abe said, "You don't have to think too much. It's interesting, absolutely. It's interesting just to read it, but it's also interesting to talk about, so it's amazing." He also revealed the difficulties he faced, saying, "I'm glad that I'll be able to travel to any era I like this time, but filming seems like it will be very difficult. I won't know what era I'm in."
The regular cast members from the drama series will also be making an appearance. "It's fun to work with the cast members from the drama series again. This time too, I thought Yashima Tomohito (who plays Yashima Tomohito) was noisy (laughs). He kept interrupting me while I was speaking, so I got stuck on my lines. I wish he'd stop interrupting like that. It's funny because he's the type of person who always hits the target (laughs)," he recalled.
Regarding Kawai, with whom she co-starred again in the NHK Asadora drama "Anpan" (General), she said, "She's amazing because she has many different qualities, she's cute, pretty, funny and can show many different sides to her. She can speak English and I'm always impressed by how she can do anything. I get the feeling that she definitely loves interesting things."
Abe said that at the launch party for the drama series, talk of "it would be nice to do a sequel" came up, and hinted at further sequels, saying, "I think it would be interesting if we continued (in the future)." Finally, he addressed the viewers, saying, "This time too, I think there will be a few moments when you feel a bit uneasy while watching with your family, so I hope you enjoy the Showa era feel. It would be a good idea to watch while taking notes on what year it is and what is happening."
" How Extremely Inappropriate! - Can't we be serious? -" will be broadcast on January 4, 2026 at 9:00 p.m.
