Inohara Yoshihiko to star in new TV Asahi Spring 2018 drama "Tokusou 9" - the sequel to "Keishicho sousa ikka kyuugakari"

Inohara Yoshihiko will be taking on the leading role in new TV Asahi Spring 2018 drama "Tokusou 9" (Special Investigation Nine) starting in April in the Wednesdays 9pm timeslot. The drama is the sequel to the long-running series "Keishicho sousa ikka kyuugakari" starring the late Watase Tsunehiko who passed away in March last year and had lasted 12 seasons since 2006. Season 12 was shown last year without its lead actor as it began its run after Watase's demise. Inohara who was a supporting cast member in the original series, becomes the lead in the new drama which also includes existing regular members such as Hada Michiko, Nakagoshi Noriko, Tsuda Kanji, Fukikoshi Mitsuru and Taguchi Hiromasa as well as Terao Akira who is a new member in the cast.

In the new drama series, it begins with the disbanding of the 9th section due to the transfer of Kanou Rintaro (Watase) thus leading to the members being assigned to different departments. However, with the commissioner's orders, they are gathered again one year later in the newly set-up special investigation unit where the squad leader played by Terao manages the team. Inohara's character Asawa Naoki is promoted to the rank of supervisor and had married Rintaro's daughter Michiko (Nakagoshi).

Inohara commented that the drama feels like they had inherited the legacy from Watase who was very passionate and dedicated to his work and that he was very happy that the original cast members could get together again as they had been wondering how they could continue the series without the lead. As such, this drama marks a new beginning for them as well.

Filming will begin in March 2018.

Sources: Sponichi / Yomiuri Hochi / Sanspo