The 15th episode of the popular detective drama "AIBOU Season 24" (TV Asahi, Wednesdays at 9pm), starring Mizutani Yutaka and Terawaki Yasufumi, entitled "Another Person's Face", aired on February 4th, and Kamen Rider fans reacted to guest appearance by Namiki Sayaka.
The story revolves around Saeki Yurie, a girl who went missing 15 years ago at the age of three. A TV program featuring Yurie used AI to predict her current facial features. The predicted face was a striking resemblance to Yui (Namiki), an instructor at the gym frequented by Miwako (Suzuki Sawa), wife of Kaoru (Terawaki).
Miwako introduces Yui to Ukyo (Mizutani) and Kaoru, who offer their advice. The Special Investigation Unit then introduces Yui to Yurie's mother, Mayumi Saeki (Endo Kumiko), who bursts into tears... and so the story unfolds.
Namiki, now 18 years old, gained attention for her role as the villain Belova in the special effects drama "Kamen Rider Geets" (TV Asahi, 2022-2023). This season, she is also appearing in the Tokai TV/Fuji TV drama "Yokohama Neighbors Season 1" (Saturdays 11:40 pm).
Geets viewers who noticed Namiki's appearance posted comments on social media such as, "Is it Namiki from Beloba in Aibou?!", "I thought she was a good actress, and when I saw her name at the end, it was Namiki Sayaka who played Beloba," "Beloba, of course...Namiki's acting is amazing," "Beloba looked so mature in Geets that it was hard to believe she was 15, and now she looks even more mature at 18," "Namiki's image changes completely when she changes her hairstyle from when she was Beloba," and "Namiki Sayaka is taking on another difficult role. It's no wonder she played a 350-year-old person from the future in Beloba!"
After the broadcast, Namiki posted a behind-the-scenes photo with Mizutani, Terawaki, and guest Uchiura Junichi on her Instagram (@ayaka_namiki.official). She wrote, "I got to see up close how the two main actors approached the production, and I really got to see why this show has been loved by so many people for so long. It was a time I will treasure, as I learned so much from being on set."
