Unexpected names keep popping up…Takashi Sorimachi graduates from “Aibô”, and we’re wondering what his next partner will be

Actor Takashi Sorimachi (47) will graduate from TV Asahi’s popular drama series “Partners” after the final episode of “season 20,” which he is currently starring in, was reported in various sports newspapers on November 24.

Actor Yutaka Mizutani (69) plays Ukyo Sugishita, a member of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Mission Unit, who takes on cases with his partner in this series. Sorimachi has been playing the role of Wataru Kwanjo, an elite bureaucrat transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department since “season 14” aired from 2003 to 2004. 7 years have passed since he became the fourth partner, and in the 7th episode aired on November 24, he reached 125 appearances as Ukyo’s partner, the most in his career. In the seventh episode aired on November 24, he reached 125 appearances as Ukyo’s sidekick.

Prior to the start of filming for this season, Mr. Sorimachi expressed his intention to graduate from the show at the end of this season, which would renew his record for the most appearances, and Mr. Mizutani readily agreed and decided to graduate. It is likely that Mr. Sorimachi felt that the image of “Partners” had become too strong, and that it was hindering his growth as an actor.

The “effect” of Sorimachi’s graduation announcement was already apparent.

The sixth episode aired on November 17, the week before Sorimachi announced his graduation, had an average household rating of 11.0%, the lowest ever since he became the partner, but the episode aired on November 24 had an average household rating of 15.0%. The average household rating for episode 6 was 11.0%, the lowest ever for Sorimachi as a partner.

Even if you are not a fan of “Partners,” it will be interesting to see how Kwanjo will step down. It is expected that the ratings will continue to rise until the final episode.

Until now, Ukyo, played by Mizutani, has had four sidekicks: Kaoru Kameyama, played by Yasufumi Terawaki (59); Takeru Kobe, played by Mitsuhiro Oikawa (52); Toru Kai, played by Hiroki Narimiya (39); and Kanjo, played by Sorimachi.

The first Terawaki was a member of the Special Missions Unit from the first episode of “pre season” (’00-’01) to the ninth episode of “season 7” (’08-’09).

Mr. Terawaki, along with Mr. Mizutani, was instrumental in turning “Partners,” which started out as a one-off drama, into one of TV Asahi’s signature series. The first theatrical version in which he appeared was “Partners: The Movie – Zektai Zetsubou!　Tokyo Big City Marathon” (2008), which he starred in, earned 4.44 billion yen at the box office and was the highest grossing theatrical version to date.

However, Mr. Terawaki, who owns his own theater company, has a non-negotiable commitment to acting and gradually began to express his opinions to Mr. Mizutani. It is said that this deepened the rift between him and Mr. Mizutani. In the end, Kameyama left for a foreign country to do volunteer work, following the wishes of his best friend.

The second Oikawa was with the show from the last episode of “season 7” to the last episode of “season 10” (2011 to 2012).

In contrast to the hot-blooded Kameyama, Kobe’s coolness was a big selling point, and he was able to develop a new fan base. The second theatrical film in which he appeared, “Partners: The Movie II: Occupation of Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department! The Longest Night of the Special Missions” (2010) grossed 3.18 billion yen at the box office. In July 2011, Mr. Mizutani married actress Rei Dan, a former top star of Takarazuka’s Tsuki-gumi, but two months later, an alleged affair with a former staff member of “Partners” was reported. Two months later, an alleged affair with a former “Partners” staff member was reported. I heard that this upset Mr. Mizutani, and Kobe was transferred to the National Police Agency as an official in the Commissioner’s Secretariat.

The third Narimiya was with the team from the first episode of “season 11” (2012-13) to the last episode of “season 13” (2014-15).

He was taken over by Ukyo and became a member of the Special Mission Unit, but Mizutani took good care of him as if he were his own son. Because of this good relationship, he entrusted his daughter Shuri, an actress, to Narimiya’s office. The original promise was for two years, but it was extended at the request of Mr. Mizutani and the staff.

In the play, while he was in the Special Mission Unit, the incident of his best friend’s sister’s murder led him to start working as a dark knight who sanctions people who cannot be judged by the law in the shadows, but Ukyo tracked him down and arrested him and he was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police Department on disciplinary grounds. So there was a lot of attention on how he would be involved in the next season, but in December ’16, he retired from the entertainment industry after being reported for alleged drug use. It took Mizutani a long time to recover from the shock, but he got a good partner in Sorimachi, whom he liked so much that he casually called him “Sori,” and got back on track.

It is reported in some quarters that a new theatrical version will be filmed next year. I’m not sure what to make of it.

In the past, the names of Yukie Nakama and Goro Inagaki have been mentioned. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

It will be interesting to see what Mizutani decides, as he is said to be in full control of “Partners”.