The 13th episode, "An Unreliable Narrator," of the popular detective drama "AIBO Season 24" (TV Asahi, Wednesdays at 9 PM), starring Yutaka Mizutani and Yasufumi Terawaki, aired on January 21st. Ura Shinroku, played by Katsuya Maikuma, who appeared in the final episode of "Season 23," made a reappearance, attracting much attention.
◇The following contains spoilers.
Ura is an eerie man who appears in front of Ukyo (Mizutani) in the final episode of "Season 23" and asks him to be his friend. He introduces himself to Ukyo as an unemployed aspiring novelist, but it turns out that he is actually a new generation fixer with influence in the political and financial world.
Ura appears before Ukyo again. He confesses that he is a crime victim whose entire family was murdered, and because he is dissatisfied with the investigation that was terminated due to the death of the suspect, he makes an unexpected request to Ukyo to re-investigate the case from 24 years ago. Then, the incident from 24 years ago begins to show unexpected connections to the case currently being investigated by the First Investigation Division... and so the story unfolds.
At the end of the episode, Ura's brutal true nature and the fact that he had been involved in murder are revealed. Ura, who had been operating behind the scenes as a fixer in the political and financial world, suddenly "fell" into the role of a fugitive. The Special Task Force cornered Ura, but Kaoru (Terawaki) told Ukyo that she suspected Ura had been sincere when he used the word "friend," and expressed concern that "he will continue to haunt you." Ukyo then said something meaningful: "You're showing your friendship through crime?" Kaoru asked with a puzzled look, "Ukyo, aren't you laughing?" to which Ukyo quietly replied, "I'm curious to know what happens next. That's all."
The showdown with Ura was not resolved this time either, and comments such as "This episode revealed the insanity of Ura Kamika, who is said to be a candidate for the final boss," "Wow, it looks like Ura will still be up to something," "The battle between Ura and Sugishita Ukyo is likely to continue. It was thrilling," "Psychopath Ura will likely appear again!", "This incredible psychopath has become a semi-regular," "He's reduced him from a fixer in the political and business world to just a fugitive!", "Maybe he'll appear in the final episode of this season or next season?" and "I wonder if Ura will end up being the final boss after all?" were posted on social media.
