The TV Asahi drama "Kasouken no Onna" starring Yasuko Sawaguchi will draw to a close after 26 years of history with the special drama "Kasouken no Onna Final" which will be broadcast from 8pm on January 23rd. Ahead of the broadcast, Sawaguchi's wrap-up was revealed, and her comments were also made public.
Since its broadcast began in October 1999, "Kasouken no Onna" has continued to break records for the longest-running drama series. The popular series follows forensic researcher Sakaki Mariko and other researchers at the Kyoto Prefectural Police Scientific Investigation Laboratory (commonly known as Kasouken) as they use their specialized skills in forensic medicine, physics, chemistry, document analysis, and more to uncover the truth behind cases. The series aired until season 24 (2024), and a film version, "Kasouken no Onna: The Movie," was released in 2021.
On the final day of filming, the moment the final shot was taken, the studio erupted in thunderous applause, and the cast and staff gathered in front of the Kasouken Labo set. Sawaguchi was presented with a large bouquet of flowers by the director, bowed, and began her speech.
Many of the past staff members were also in attendance, and when Sawaguchi noticed this, her eyes welled up with tears as she said, "All the old friends came rushing over, and just seeing their faces made me feel a little emotional."
Afterwards, while holding back tears, she said emphatically, "Mariko's catchphrase was 'Science doesn't lie,' and she was completely focused on science, but in this finale, she was able to read everyone's feelings from their papers, and I felt that she had grown as a person. And I, too, learned a lot as an actor from encountering 'Kasouken no Onna'." She then bowed deeply and said, "The days I spent filming this series are a treasure in my life," to which the cast and staff gave her a generous round of applause.
The special drama "Kasouken no Onna Final" follows the death of a male development staff member in the Smart Mobility Demonstration Experiment Zone in Kyoto City. The possibility of unauthorized access emerges, and Mariko and the other members of the Kasouken team follow the digital trail to take on the "faceless culprit." Current regular cast members such as Takashi Naito will be joined by past regular cast members such as Naho Toda, Watanabe Ikkei, Okuda Erika, and Ono Takehiko. Guest appearances include Kobayashi Toranosuke, Riko, Mikata Ryosuke, Sato Ryuji, and Nakamura Shunsuke.
◇ Yasuko Sawaguchi's full comments after filming
Many familiar faces came rushing to the scene, and just seeing their faces brought me so much emotion. Thank you so much. We were able to wrap up filming safely. Thank you so much to everyone for all your hard work. There's something I always feel on the day we start filming. Even though it's been a year, it feels as though we've been filming until yesterday... You've always made the set feel warm and homey, and comfortable...
Sakaki Mariko's catchphrase is "Science doesn't lie," and she's always been all about science, but in this final episode, she was able to decipher everyone's feelings from their papers, and I felt that she had grown as a person. And I, too, learned a lot as an actor from encountering "Kasouken no Onna." The days I spent with everyone during the filming of this series are a treasure in my life. I hope to be able to meet you all again when I've grown as a person. Thank you so much.
