The popular detective drama "Aibou" (TV Asahi), a staple of autumn and winter, has come to an end for this season. The series, which began airing in 2000, celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, and "Aibou season 24" (19 episodes in total) aired until March 11th. With the appearance of Sugishita Ukyo's (Yutaka Mizutani) "former partner" and the return of a character who has attracted attention as a "potential final boss," this season was full of highlights, so let's take a look back.
"Aibou" is a story about Ukyo Sugishita, a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's marginalized Special Investigations Unit, who uses his genius intellect to solve numerous difficult cases with his "partner." Since its broadcast began in 2000, four partners have been introduced: Kaoru Kameyama (Yasufumi Terawaki), Takeru Kobe (Mitsuhiro Oikawa), Toru Kai (Hiroki Narimiya), and Wataru Kanjo (Takashi Sorimachi). In season 21, the original partner, Kaoru, returned to the Special Investigations Unit, and the series continues to this day.
In the third episode of this season, "Police Officer B," Takada So, the young man who was a "stateless child" played by Kato Seishiro, made a reappearance. So had become a police officer in season 23, but in this season it was revealed that he had been transferred to the detective division, his long-desired position, and he appeared before the Special Investigations Unit once again. As they pursued the case together, the relationship between So and Tsurugi Hajime (Hosogai Kei) of the Metropolitan Police Department's General Affairs Division attracted attention as it hinted at a "next generation of partners." It was a deeply satisfying development, typical of a long-running series, where a child once saved by the Special Investigations Unit has grown up and is investigating side by side.
In the New Year's Day special "Finale," the name of the third partner, Kai Toru, suddenly appeared, exciting fans. Toru, who was arrested as the perpetrator of a series of assaults targeting criminals under the name "Dark Knight," was revealed to be about to be released from prison after serving his sentence. On social media, viewers expressed their excitement with comments such as, "Is this a hint that he'll be making a comeback?" and "This is a sign that we'll get to see Kaito again."
In episode 11, "The Old Man and Nene," Nene Daimonji (Mizuki Kayashima), the "college student detective" who appeared in the New Year's Day special of season 21, makes a reappearance. In episode 12, "Special Investigations Unit's Kohei Jingawa," Kohei Jingawa (Ryuji Harada), the "third man" of the Special Investigations Unit, makes an appearance, and in episode 14, "The Accusation of Roses and Beards," Hiroko (Atsushi Fukazawa), also known as "Hiroko Mama," makes an appearance, with other memorable characters adding color to the story.
In episode 13, "The Untrustworthy Speaker," Shinroku Ura (played by Katsuya Maikuma), a political and business fixer who appeared in the season 23 finale and was rumored to be the final boss, made a reappearance. In this episode, Ura's cruel nature and the fact that he had been involved in murder were revealed. The new generation fixer suddenly became a fugitive. Although the showdown with Ura was postponed, viewers commented, "It seems Ura will continue to operate in the shadows," and "Will Ura really be the final boss?" Furthermore, in the same episode, Wataru Kanjo, the fourth partner and currently working for the Public Security Intelligence Agency, did not appear in person, but his cooperation with the Special Investigations Unit generated buzz.
In episode 17, "The Seed of Evil," Kaoru is attacked, and the involvement of Ukyo's former partner and arch-nemesis, Minami Ju (Masato Ibu), from his London training days, is suggested as the mastermind. Minami had previously committed a series of murders and was apprehended by Ukyo, but later escaped from the police hospital. He was believed to have died after falling off a cliff. However, in season 22, there were scenes suggesting he was still alive, and this episode also hinted at his machinations, making it an episode that foreshadows the "return of the arch-nemesis."
And in the final episode, "The Demon of Darkness," the first partner to appear was Ken'ya Iwahashi (played by Ken Ishiguro), a former partner of Ukyo who had been in the Special Investigations Unit before his first partner, Kaoru Kameyama. The story was that before Kaoru was assigned to the Special Investigations Unit, six subordinates had been sent to Ukyo, but all of them had subsequently left the Metropolitan Police Department. However, the details of these six had not been revealed until this episode, and one of them made his first appearance. Iwahashi said to Ukyo, "You've changed, Sugishita-san. Your demeanor is much calmer now," a scene that emphasized how Ukyo had gradually changed through his time with his successive partners.
This season ended with a casual conversation between Ukyo and Kaoru. However, the confrontation with ominous figures like Ura and Minami remains postponed. It has also been revealed that Kyo's release from prison is imminent, raising expectations for a "reunion of past partners." We look forward to seeing what kind of developments will unfold in the milestone season 25, which will undoubtedly be produced.
