Keeping things platonic: The "strictly business" mixed-gender work partners in Japanese dramas

While Japanese dramas featuring male-female partners at work are commonplace, this article highlights an interesting phenomenon in the Winter 2025 season - there are as many as 5 titles featuring such combinations and 3 of them involve lawyers*:

• "Tokyo Sarada Bouru" - Nao x Matsuda Ryuuhei
• "Mondai Bukken" - Kamikawa Takaya x Uchida Rio
• "Houtei no Dragon" - Kamishiraishi Mone x Takasugi Mahiro *
• "Ensemble" - Kawaguchi Haruna x Matsumura Hokuto *
• "Kujaku no dansu, dare ga mita?" - Hirose Suzu x Matsuyama Kenichi*

The nature of the relationship between the pairings and the storyline pretty much determine if romance will be in the picture. On one end of the spectrum, "Kujaku no dansu, dare ga mita?" features the "client" i.e. Komugi who approaches a lawyer Matsukaze to help her in the investigation of her father's arson-murder case. Considering their business-only relationship and that the story has a strong mystery/suspense angle, there is no room for romance to bloom between the characters. On the other hand, "Ensemble" features the leads as colleagues in a budding romantic relationship with a love triangle thrown in from the start due to the appearance of the female lead's ex-boyfriend.

Looking back at the past mixed-gender pairings in the past, while there were some workplace pairs who eventually became lovers onscreen, there were also quite a number of dramas with such pairings that either had no romance or a comparatively faint/hinted romance angle:

• "Keizoku" - Nakatani Miki x Watabe Atsuro
• "Trick" - Nakama Yukie x Abe Hiroshi
• "HERO" - Kimura Takuya x Matsu Takako
• "Galileo" - Fukuyama Masaharu x Shibasaki Kou & Yoshitaka Yuriko
• "SPEC" - Toda Erika x Kase Ryo
• "Legal High" - Sakai Masato x Aragaki Yui
• "Ishiko to Haneo" - Arimura Kasumi x Nakamura Tomoya
• "Unfair" - Shinohara Ryoko x Nagayama Eita
• "Jikou Keisatsu" - Odagiri Jo x Asou Kumiko
• "Strawberry Night" - Takeuchi Yuko x Nishijima Hidetoshi
• "Liar Game" - Toda Erika x Matsuda Shota
• "Kyousou no bannin" - An x Sakaguchi Kentaro
• "RoOT" - Kawai Yumi x Bandou Ryouta
• "Okuto" - Iitoyo Marie x Asaka Koudai
• "Invisible" - Takahashi Issei x Shibasaki Kou
• "Motokare no Yuuigonjou" - Ayase Haruka x Ooizumi Yo
• "Tengoku to Jigoku" - Ayase Haruka x Takahashi Issei

As seen from the list above, a large number of these platonic pairings appeared in investigative/legal/suspense stories. Over time, the stories would show the gradual development of the characters' relationships as they solved cases or dealt with issues together. A reason cited in the media for the inclusion of romance for such mixed-gender pairings was said to be related to the viewing preferences during the "trendy dramas" era i.e. late 1980s to early 1990s. Back then, "squeal-worthy" scenes featuring popular actors and actresses who played characters transitioning from colleagues/buddies/enemies/rivals to lovers were pretty well-received and in demand. As such, it became sort of a standard formula for such relationships to head towards the romance direction rather than keep things strictly professional.

However, as times have evolved, there are more titles these days featuring platonic working relationships for such mixed-gender pairings. While it is perfectly normal for love to blossom when people work together, it is also natural for mutual respect rather than romantic feelings to be developed between such pairings. As such, when such dramas do not add in romance in an "artificial" or "unnatural" manner, they are generally well-received and readily accepted as the norm reflective of current times. 

In recent years, I would say that "Ishiko to Haneo" was one of the more successful examples at eliminating the romance factor from the leads' relationship. Frankly speaking, I didn't expect this initially since there was no indication pre-season that the work buddies would have no romantic feelings for each other. In the end, the female lead ended up with the second male lead rather than her partner at work which was unexpected and somewhat unconventional but I really liked this arrangement.

On the contrary, there have been examples where adding romance when it's unnecessary or illogical can backfire. For example, "Mystery to iu nakare" depicted Ito Sairi's police detective character having feelings for the lead played by Suda Masaki. This went against the nature of their relationship described in the original manga and attracted criticism from viewers.

Personally, I am more inclined towards the notion of keeping things platonic for mixed-gender pairings especially if the drama is not positioned to be a romance-themed one. While I get it that some viewers may like to see their favourite pairings engage in a romantic relationship onscreen, the manner of how this develops is crucial. As such, keeping it naturally-flowing and not forcing things to head towards the romantic genre would be the best. Especially when dealing with stories based on original material like novels and manga, it would be simply reckless and foolish to spoil the relationship dynamics crafted by the original works' authors for no apparent or justifiable reason.

Do share with me your favourite mixed-gender work partners in J-dramas and movies and let me know if I've missed any significant/popular examples from my list above!

"TRICK" dramas series, SPs and movies to be streamed on demand via au Video Pass & TV Asahi Douga

The "TRICK" series consisting of 3 full-length drama series, 3 drama SPs and 4 movies will all be streamed on demand for a limited period only via the au smartphone video portal Video pass and TV Asahi Douga from 5.26am on 17 February to 16 May. The start date and time were chosen as such to rhyme with the term "Futatabi Naoko Jirou" which means "Again Naoko Jirou" as the character names of the leads Nakama Yukie and Abe Hiroshi were Yamada Naoko and Ueda Jirou respectively. TRICK began as a midnight drama in 2000 and features Yamada, a self-proclaimed genius magician, and Ueda, a self-proclaimed genius physicist who work together to resolve cases involving strange and mysterious phenomenon.

Besides the works under the "TRICK" series, the spin-off drama SPs of "Keibuho Yabe Kenzo" from 2010 and 2013 will also be streamed on the same portals before the latest SP of the Yabe series titled "Keibuho Yabe Kenzo ~ Jinkou Zunou VS Jinkou Zumou" is shown later this year.

Users of Video Pass who are on the unlimited access-fixed monthly rate plan can watch all the works while those using TV Asahi Douga will be charged by per access. Note that the movies will not be shown via the TV Asahi portal though.

Source: Oricon

Namase Katsuhisa to be back in new TRICK spin-off drama SP this spring

Namase Katsuhisa will be reprising his role as Yabe Kenzo in a new spin-off drama from the hit drama series TRICK" for the first time in four years. This time, the drama SP titled "Keibuho Yabe Kenzo ~ Jinkou Zunou VS Jinkou Zumou ~" (Lieutenant Yabe Kenzo ~ Mechanical brain VS Artificial hair ~) will be shown via au's mobile video service "Video Pass" and TV Asahi Douga. There were two Yabe Kenzo drama SPs made and shown by TV Asahi in 2010 and 2013. In the new SP, his partner will still be played by Ikeda Tetsuhiro.

With regard to having a new drama SP in four years, Namase said that in his career, Yabe is a character which he had a lot of fun playing and he always thought that there was more to explore about him. As such, he is always ready to play Yabe as long as there is an offer from the TV station and looks forward to display the signature traits of Yabe to the fullest this time too.

Co-stars include Hakamada Yoshihiko who plays a genius scientist Deep Manabu at odds with Yabe and has developed a new form of artificial intelligence to solve difficult cases. Yabe will be investigating a series of murder cases taking place at an onsen ryokan isolated due to a landslide and find the serial killer nicknamed Yami no Gyouji (the sumo referee of darkness) who is supposedly responsible for the murders by making use of the artificial intelligence technology.

Source: Oricon

Preview of "TRICK - Shinsaku SP 3"

Title: TRICK - Shinsaku SP 3
Official website: here
O.A. Date: 12 January 2014, 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Directed by: Tsutsumi Yukihiko
Cast: Nakama Yukie, Abe Hiroshi, Namase Katsuhisa, Nogiwa Yoko, Ikeda Tetsuhiro, Oshima Yoko, Abedin Mohammed, Seto Yoichiro, Iijima Naoko, Fujita Tomoko, Kokusho Sayuri, Fukushi Souta, Asakura Aki, Kamijo Tsunehiko, Ishida Taro, Morioka Yutaka, Fuke Norimasa, Maruyama Tomomi

Premiere event of movie "TRICK Gekijouban Last Stage"

The premiere event of movie "TRICK Gekijouban Last Stage" was held on 17 December in Tokyo which was attended by the cast members Nakama Yukie, Abe Hiroshi, Namase Katsuhisa, Nogiwa Yoko, Higashiyama Noriyuki. Kitamura Kazuki, Mizuhara Kiko, Ikeda Tetsuhiro and the director Tsutsumi Yukihiko. About 1,000 fans came to the event for the final movie in the TRICK series which started as a TV drama 14 years ago and will be shown in cinemas from 11 January 2014. The movie features Yamada Naoko (Nakama) and Ueda Jiro (Abe) fighting against a mysterious black magician from Malaysia played by Mizuhara as they try to solve a series of bizarre deaths.

Nakama commented that TRICK holds a very special place in her heart since this was the first private network drama in which she had a leading role and there were many things she learnt during the last 14 years. In fact, she never imagined that the series could last this long and thanked everyone for their support. Abe also revealed that when they shot the first drama, it was under such tough conditions that they could not sleep at all. During the past 14 years, everyone had grown up in their own ways and it was sad to end the series but he was thankful for the love shown towards them. On the other hand, Nogiwa who plays Naoko's mother, jokingly said that it was bewildering that she started the series as a 18-year-old (playing her younger self) and ended up as 77 years old by the time the series ended. She also "complained" to the director about being left out of the filming trip to Malaysia even though this was the final movie in the series.

Mizuhara who took part in the series for the first time, said that most of her lines were in Malay so it was a memorable experience for her. Similarly, Higashiyama who also appears in TRICK for the first time remarked in jest that he probably can't join the cast of "Terumae Romae" because his looks are not as outstanding as Abe's or Kitamura's but he was glad to be able to take part in the last installment of "TRICK:.

Source: Eiga.com

TV Asahi to show "Trick SP 3" before the release of TRICK's final movie next January

TV Asahi will be showing "TRICK SP 3" in January 2014 as a prelude to the finale movie "Trick Gekijouban Last Stage" which will be released in cinemas from 11 January 2014. The TRICK series first started in 2000 as a midnight drama starring Nakama Yukie and Abe Hiroshi and will wrap up its 14-year history through the movie.

The drama SP is set in a secluded village in the forest where a family of three sisters are fighting for the family fortune but are embroiled in a serial murder case. Yamada Naoko (Nakama Yukie) and Ueda Jiro (Abe Hiroshi) happen to be at the village and get involved in solving the case. The three sisters in the drama are played by Kokusho Sayuri, Fujita Tomoko and Iijima Naoko while Iijima's son is played by Fukushi Sota and the family maid is played by Asakura Aki.

Source: Yomiuri Hochi

"TRICK Gekijouban Last Stage" goes to Sarawak, Malaysia for first overseas filming

The crew and cast of movie "TRICK Gekijouban Last Stage" headed to Sarawak, Malaysia, for their first overseas filming in the TRICK series between 5th and 24th July and went to spots such as Kuching City and the jungle around Sarawak River. The movie is scheduled to be shown in cinemas from 11 January 2014. Nakama Yukie who is the co-lead with Abe Hiroshi, commented that it was a bit sad that their first overseas shooting for TRICK also turned out to be their last since the series started in 2000. Besides them, Higashiyama Noriyuki who plays an employee of a trading company, Kitamura Kazuki who plays a doctor and Mizuhara Kiko who plays a member of the local tribe were also in Sarawak. Filming in Japan is currently underway and will wrap up in early September.

Source: Sponichi

Nakama Yukie & Abe Hiroshi back in last movie of TRICK

Nakama Yukie and Abe Hiroshi will be back in their roles of Yamada Naoko and Ueda Jiro in the final movie of the TRICK series which will be shown next year. The movie titled "TRICK Gekijouban Last Stage" marks the end of the 14-year TRICK legacy which began in July 2000 as a midnight drama. Nakama plays the role of Yamada who is an unpopular magician while Ueda is a self-proclaimed physics expert and the two come together to solve a series of weird cases. To date, there have been 3 drama series, 2 drama SPs and 3 movies which achieved ticket sales of JPY 5.25 billion. As this can be considered as one of Nakama's signature works which shot her to fame, she commented that she was sad to see the series end especially since she had first acted in it when she was 20 years old. Filming will begin soon and will include location shooting overseas for the first time.

Source: Yomiuri Hochi

Preview of Trick Shinsaku SP 2

Title: Trick Shinsaku SP 2 (Trick New SP 2)
Official website: here
O.A. Date: 15 May 2010, 9pm
Theme song: Tsukirenka by Kumagai Ikumi
Cast; Nakama Yukie, Abe Hiroshi, Namase Katsuhisa, Nogiwa Yoko, Ikeda Tetsuhiro, Asano Yuuko, Tezuka Satomi, Minami, Aizawa Rina, Hamada Mari etc.