Production press conference of FujiTV Summer 2017 drama "Keishicho Ikimonogakari"

The production press conference of FujiTV Summer 2017 drama "Keishicho Ikimonogakari" was held on 7 July which was attended by cast members Hashimoto Kanna, Watabe Atsuro, Asano Atsuko, Terajima Susumu, Miura Shohei, Hasegawa Tomoharu and Yokoyama Daisuke. The drama is based on the "Keishicho Ikimonogakari" series of novels by Okura Takahiro and set in a fictitious plants and animals department within the general affairs section of the MPD where a lieutenant and a newbie police officer work together to solve cases while looking into the ecology of plants and animals.

Watabe plays Sudou Tomozou, a 48-year-old lieutenant who used to be from the first investigation section and was taken off the frontline  6 months ago due to an injury and sent to the Ikimonogakari which takes care of pets left behind by suspects and those whose whereabouts are unknown. Much as he desires to go back to the frontline, he knows that his condition and age are not in his favour. Sudou meets the 22-year-old newbie police constable Usuki Keiko (Hashimoto) who graduated from the veterinary faculty in university and is a huge animal lover who prefers them to human beings. Sudou gets angry at how Keiko seemingly behaves without a care for others but gradually appreciates her knowledge about these animals and observant powers which help him in solving the cases they encounter.

Co-stars include Miura who plays the 33-year-old Ishimatsu Kazuo who used to be the buddy of Sudou when they were in the 1st investigation section, Hasegawa who plays 42-year-old Nittou Hajime and looks down on Sudou for being transferred from the frontline, Ishikawa Ren who plays the 23-year-old Mikasa Yayoi, a receptionist at the Police Museum, Denden who plays 68-year-old retired police detective Nidegawa Shoukichi and offers advice to Keiko in her investigations. Kiyohara Sho plays 28-year-old Sakurai Kaoru who works under Ishimatsu while Sudou's former boss Kitou Tsutomu will be played by Terajima. Asano will play 52-year-old Tamaru Hiroko who is the only admin staff in the Ikimonogakari. Last but not least, Yokoyama who was the 11th generation Uta no Oniisan on "Okaasan to issho" and graduated in March this year, makes his acting debut in this drama and plays a police officer Shijima Takuro.

As Yokoyama is well-known among children and mothers, Hashimoto revealed that whenever they are outdoors for location shooting, Yokoyama always gets surrounded by the children and their mothers which makes them so shocked at his popularity. Even though Yokoyama thought that he might not get recognised in his police officer uniform, he always gets identified easily by fans who take a second look at him just to make sure he is the real deal.

During the press conference, the cast members were joined by various animals which led Watabe to remark that he couldn't help but feel uneasy and worrisome although the filming process is enjoyable. As such, he hoped that this drama will become a signature work of his and pledged to work hard during the filming.

Source: Oricon