It was revealed on June 5th that "Season 2" of the police drama " The Great Chase: Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit " (Wednesdays at 9 PM), which starred Nao Omori, Masaki Aiba, and Nao Matsushita and aired on TV Asahi in July last year, will be broadcast in the same time slot this July. Hit writer Yasushi Fukuda will continue to be in charge of the script, as he was with the previous season.
The drama is set in the "SSBC (Sousa Sien Bunseki Center)," a specialized unit established in 2009 within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to collect and analyze security camera footage, analyze smartphones and computers, and conduct follow-up investigations. Specifically, it focuses on the "SSBC Violent Crimes Section," a separate unit that specializes in supporting the First Investigation Division, which handles serious crimes such as murder, robbery, and arson.
In "Season 2," the "innovative yet classic detective drama" depicted in the previous season will be scaled up in every aspect, with thrilling mystery-solving that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end, incidents that reflect contemporary society, topical relevance, and moving human dramas involving unique characters unfolding in an even more vibrant way.
The three main characters—Shuji Igaki, a down-to-earth, old-fashioned non-career officer played by Omori; Rintaro Nanami, a career bureaucrat who joined the government after passing the mid-career recruitment exam for national civil servants, played by Aiba; and Haruka Aoyagi, Igaki's ex-wife and head of the First Investigation Division, played by Matsushita—clash with each other but sometimes cooperate, striving to solve cases together.
The new season begins with Nanami's return to the SSBC Violent Crimes Unit after studying in the United States. He brings back the cutting-edge digital investigative techniques he learned in the US, elevating the SSBC to an unprecedented level. The members, whose trust in each other has deepened, unite as one, powered up to take on new and challenging cases. The rivalry and history with the First Investigation Division are also expected to heat up even more.
The newly released three-shot visual differs from Season 1, featuring the three members with relaxed smiles and a distinctive vivid pink logo. The photo was once again taken by photographer Kazumi Kurigami, who also worked on Season 1.
The cast and staff comments are as follows:
◇Comment from Nao Omori(who plays Shuji Igaki)
-- "The Great Chase: Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit" is returning this summer. Please tell us how you felt when Season 2 was confirmed.
I was genuinely very happy. Even from the stage of the previous season, I had a feeling that it was going to be a really interesting drama, and above all, all the actors I'm working with are wonderful people I really admire. I was really looking forward to reuniting with them again in Season 2 and acting together again. I was also excited to see Aiba Masaki and Nao Matsushita Nao again today after a long time.
--Fukuda Yasushi is once again in charge of the script for this season. What are your impressions after reading the script?
While faithfully building upon the strengths of the drama established in Season 1, it also incorporates new aspects of digital investigation, making it feel even more evolved.
Furthermore, the human drama of the perpetrators of the crime is depicted in great depth, which should lead to new changes in the feelings of us police officers, our approach to crime, and the atmosphere within our team. As an actor, it's a very rewarding and interesting story, so I hope you'll look forward to it.
-- Are there any new challenges you'd like to take on in Season 2?
Filming in the middle of summer is definitely hot, but our characters also have a gritty side where they gather evidence on foot, so I want to enjoy filming outdoors and get through this heat. However, last year I suffered a minor muscle strain during a running scene, which caused the staff to worry seriously, so this year I will prepare thoroughly and be careful not to strain a muscle (laughs).
The summer heat in Japan right now is extreme, so whether we're in the studio or on location, we're looking for good items and methods to get through it together, and we want to enjoy even the harshness of it and overcome it as a team.
--For those who have seen the previous season, and also for those who have never seen "The Great Chase: Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit," what aspects would you say are the most appealing?
This series has an incredibly well-crafted script. It's not only entertaining as a fresh take on a crime drama, but it's also a compelling human drama. You can start with Season 2 and then rewatch Season 1 – that's perfectly fine.
Season 2 is a significant step up in quality, so even if you haven't seen the previous season, please feel free to jump in!
--Please give a message to the viewers who are looking forward to it.
Once again, we are delighted to have so many wonderful senior actors and talented performers appearing in this production. The script is of exceptional quality, and it's filled with many highlights, including innovative investigative techniques.
At the same time, it has the same sense of stability that comes from this team, which was present in the previous work, making it an entertaining piece that you can watch with peace of mind. In short, all I can say is, "Please, please watch it!" Please look forward to it.
◇Comment from Masaki Aiba (who plays Rintaro Nanami)
-- "The Great Chase: Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit" is returning this summer. Please tell us how you felt when Season 2 was confirmed.
I was overjoyed to be given the opportunity to play the character of Rintaro Nanami again. I was really looking forward to seeing how what Yasushi Fukuda had carefully written would evolve in this work. Even before reading the script, I was excited at the thought of learning about new digital investigation techniques.
--Fukuda Yasushi is once again in charge of the script for this season. What are your impressions after reading the script?
While the depiction of the cutting-edge digital systems within the police force is certainly fascinating, Season 2 also delves deeper into the "human drama" of the perpetrators and victims involved in the cases, so I hope you'll enjoy that aspect as well.
-- Are there any new challenges you'd like to take on in Season 2?
I've heard that this summer is going to be very hot, so I want to take all possible precautions against the heat. I'd like to find some items that will help everyone on set, including the cast and staff, stay cool and energetic (laughs).
--For those who have seen the previous season, and also for those who have never seen "The Great Chase: Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit," what aspects would you say are the most appealing?
While the fast-paced plot and the mystery element of "Who is the culprit?" are certainly noteworthy, what's truly exhilarating is watching the SSBC Violent Crimes Unit members corner the culprit with their overwhelming teamwork. Furthermore, the background of "Why did the culprit commit this crime?" and "How did the victim become involved?" is thoroughly depicted, so I think you'll also enjoy it as a human drama.
--Please give a message to the viewers who are looking forward to it.
My character, Nanami, is as quirky as ever, and that's still the case in this series, so I hope you'll enjoy that aspect as well. The drama itself will have a satisfying and exhilarating development, so I hope you'll look forward to it!
◇Comment from Nao Matsushita(who plays Haruka Aoyagi)
-- "The Great Chase: Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit" is returning this summer. Please tell us how you felt when Season 2 was confirmed.
I was so happy! When we finished the previous film, there was a general feeling among the cast that "there's definitely going to be a sequel." However, at that point we didn't know what would happen, so we said goodbye saying, "It would be great if we could do it again." A year has passed since then, and it's a great honor and pleasure to be able to reunite with the same cast and create a work with the same team again.
It's been a while since we last met, and seeing how perfectly synchronized our title calls and comments were, really made me realize that teamwork is ingrained in us (laughs).
--Fukuda Yasushi is once again in charge of the script for this season. What are your impressions after reading the script?
I felt that both the human drama of those who commit the crimes and the portrayal of the First Investigation Division and SSBC pursuing them were explored in greater depth. Each character on the team is further highlighted by Mr. Fukuda.
Also, the relationship between Igaki, played by Nao Omori, and Nanami, played by Nao Omori, and Haruka is very interesting. You can fully enjoy this work even if you haven't seen the previous one, but if you have seen the previous one, you will be able to enjoy it more deeply. I believe that this script will be a strong ally for us once again, and I will do my best to perform with all my might.
-- Are there any new challenges you'd like to take on in Season 2?
It's a "gunfight" (laughs). In the previous series, there wasn't a single action scene where I held a gun. Since this is a police drama, I'm secretly hoping that there will be at least one scene where I can hold a gun in a cool way amidst the tense atmosphere.
Speaking of the situation on site, I've heard that this year will be even hotter than last year, so we need to think about how to cope with the heat.
--For those who have seen the previous season, and also for those who have never seen "The Great Chase: Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit," what aspects would you say are the most appealing?
The greatest appeal of this work is that it's not a typical "simple detective drama" focused on solving a case. The rich "humanity" of the characters is portrayed so well that it's a story that viewers can relate to.
While it deals with serious cases, it also has a heartwarming quality that will bring a tear to your eye or make you chuckle, and it maintains the stylishness and coolness of a detective story, so I think you'll enjoy it.
--Please give a message to the viewers who are looking forward to it.
This summer, too, will be a tough and hot one, as we battle the heat, the criminals, and many other things with all our might. I am really looking forward to sharing this hot summer with all of you in real time.
You can definitely enjoy it even if you start with Season 2, but if you'd like, I'd love for you to watch Season 1 now to "prepare" yourself so that we can enjoy the upcoming broadcast of Season 2 together. Thank you!
◇Comment from screenwriter Yasushi Fukuda
I am very happy to be able to create "The Great Chase? Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit?" again this year, and I am filled with gratitude to everyone who loved this drama.
These days, in the context of real-life crimes, terms like "security camera relay" and "smartphone data analysis" have become commonplace. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Support and Analysis Center, commonly known as SSBC, which specializes in digital investigations, is now playing a vital role on the front lines of crime investigation. Depicting SSBC in a drama is both exciting and stressful. We have to be honest and make it an interesting drama.
To achieve that, I'll be relying heavily on the hard work of the cast and crew. Don't worry, we have a reliable team on set. I'm counting on the lead actors, Nao Omori, Nao Matsushita, and Masaki Aiba! And in Season 2, I want to portray all the characters of the SSBC Violent Crimes Unit in an even more captivating way.
"The Great Chase? Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit ~ Season 2" is sure to be an exciting drama. Please look forward to it!
◇Comment from producer Emi Fujisaki
Last summer, "The Great Chase: Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit" was warmly welcomed by everyone, and now it's returning for a highly anticipated Season 2! Igaki, Nanami, and Aoyagi—the three main characters—are reunited to tackle even more brutal and sophisticated cases. The meticulous mystery-solving powered by SSBC's advanced technology is combined with gritty, high-stakes chases that keep you on the edge of your seat, creating a thrilling investigative drama that will have you on the edge of your seat every second. The relationships between the characters, who deepen their trust in each other yet sometimes clash, will become even more complex and intense in Season 2. The unpredictable twists and heart-wrenching human dramas spun by Yasushi Fukuda are still present in this season! Get ready for the second summer of the even more powerful "The Great Chase: Metropolitan Police Department SSBC Violent Crimes Unit"!
