Takashi Sorimachi’s graduation from “Aibô” and his “worrisome future

It was on November 24 last year that it was announced that Takashi Sorimachi (47), who plays the fourth partner in the TV drama “Partners” (TV Asahi) starring Yutaka Mizutani (69), would be graduating. Sorimachi has been on the show since “Season 14” which started in October 2015, replacing his predecessor Hiroki Narimiya, and is currently breaking the record for the longest “sidekick” in history.

When Sorimachi was chosen as the new partner, it was said that he was not the real choice. In any case, there were some people inside and outside the company who wanted to see the first female sidekick, perhaps because they were conscious of public opinion, and even within TV Asahi, there were some people who wanted Yukie Nakama to do it.There were also some who wanted Yukie Nakama to play the role, as well as names such as Tori Matsuzaka. In the end, I heard that Mr. Mizutani, who has influence over all aspects of the casting and story, wanted a male actor in his 40s or older, and that’s why Sorimachi was chosen.

When it was first announced, it was said that the setting of a career bureaucrat from the Ministry of Justice being transferred to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was too unreasonable.

When it was first announced, it was said that the setting of a career bureaucrat from the Ministry of Justice being transferred to the Metropolitan Police Department was too unreasonable. There is no career bureaucrat in Kasumigaseki who works until that age. Nevertheless, it is Mizutani’s achievement that the program has been running for more than 20 years since 2000, and it is the fate of a long-running program that it is difficult to end it.

Anyway, there were some people who thought that the role of Sorimachi as a wildly handsome actor and his role as a character who uttered difficult legal terms were so disproportionate that he would sooner or later be replaced by the fifth partner, but he achieved the “longest run in history.

What is the secret behind this?

The secret is that he has won the trust of Mr. Mizutani. That drama is all about how cool and stylish Mr. Mizutani looks, and that is what Mr. Mizutani is looking for. You can’t act better or stand out more than Mr. Mizutani, the boss.

Of course, the script and everything is designed that way.

Of course, the script and everything is set up that way. Aside from the evaluation of Sorimachi’s acting, he is very good at setting up his superiors because of his gymnastic nature, or perhaps his naught nature. The filming of “Partners” is a long process that takes seven months a year. Sorimachi understands this and takes care to create the right atmosphere on the set. I think his character meshes well with Mizutani’s.” (same as above)

After successfully “completing” the fourth generation of the series, it is said that Sorimachi has received many job offers.

He has been offered an important role in NHK’s morning drama “Soar! I’ve heard that he is interested in playing an important role in the NHK morning drama, “Soar! Fukuhara and Sorimachi belong to the same major entertainment agency, but I’m sure the offer was made based on NHK’s judgment that their appearances in “Partners” had a wider audience than ever before.

Does this mean that she has peeled off another layer of skin?