Originally aired on TV Asahi’s “Oshidora Saturday” block from January to March of 2024, the popular drama “Koisuru Keigo 24 Ji” is getting a second installment this October—with double the amount of tension, humor, and heart-fluttering moments!
The series follows the stoic and inflexible Tatsunosuke Kitasawa (Hikaru Iwamoto), an elite bodyguard who works for RACCO, a private security firm. Driven by the murder of his father, he excels at keeping his cool and reading situations ahead of time. After Tatsunosuke gets assigned a 24-hour protection job, a series of events unfold that draw him closer to his client, the sharp-tonged and strong-willed Rika Kishimura (Mai Shiraishi). The main appeal of the show lies in the chemistry between the leads, the character interactions, its polished production, and its fun premise: two clashing personalities learning to rely on one another under high-stakes environments.
Penned by seasoned writer Arisa Kaneko (“Train Man: Densha Otoko,” “An Incurable Case of Love”) this original drama captivated viewers with its blend of romance between Tatsunosuke and Rika, mystery-solving, and thrilling action scenes. The series was a major hit, achieving an average personal viewership rating of 2.1%, tying for the top in the Oshidora time slot. It also broke records with approximately 1.47 million streams in its first week (a historical high at the time), and an unprecedented feat of averaging over 1 million streams per episode—making it a landmark title in Oshidora history. The social media buzz followed themes like “perfect fit as a bodyguard” and “adorable tension” between Iwamoto and Shiraishi. Iwamoto‘s action scenes and physical presence impressed audiences, while his occasional vulnerability (e.g. eating sweets, smiling, giving Rika space) struck a chord. On the other hand, Rika‘s fiery yet clumsy persona made her instantly endearing and relatable.
Now, this record-setting show returns with an even grander scale—more intense romance, deeper mysteries, and an expanded time slot. Season 2 debuts as a revamped “investigative-action romantic comedy” this fall. Set to premiere in a 1-hour time slot, the new installment of “Koisuru Keigo 24 Ji” will air on Friday nights at 23:15 JST.
RECAP OF SEASON 1
In the first season, the ultra-disciplined and rigid bodyguard Tatsunosuke Kitazawa, who was once a police officer, took on a 24-hour protection assignment for Rika Kishimura, a stubborn and fiercely independent lawyer who was thought to be the target of retaliation for a past case. Although she resists protection, their forced co‑habitation under the same roof led to escalating tension—and eventually emotional connection. With support from colleagues at RACCO Security, and despite their initial friction, Tatsunosuke and Rika came to rely on and support each other—eventually finding the individual who killed Tatsunosuke‘s father, a mission the bodyguard had been working on since leaving the police force. Along the way, they fell in love, formed stronger bonds with their workplaces, and Tatsunosuke grew significantly as a person. Read our in-depth review of the season here.
WHAT’S NEW IN SEASON 2
In the upcoming season, new challenges await both the central couple’s romance and Tatsunosuke‘s protection duties.
Tatsunosuke and Rika seemed poised to deepen their relationship—but then, Rika decided to pursue further legal studies in London. Their budding romance now faces the challenges of long distance and an 8-hour time difference. As new high-stakes cases and emotional hurdles arise, Tatsunosuke‘s ability to prove himself as a bodyguard—and a lover—is put to the ultimate test.
Meanwhile, RACCO Security merges with Ko-Ara Security to become RACCOARA Security, forming a new and larger organization. However, working with new colleagues proves difficult for Tatsunosuke, especially as he constantly clashes with his new partner. The team struggles to coordinate on missions that demand cohesive teamwork. Furthermore, a particular case not only shakes Tatsunosuke‘s beliefs about security—something he has devoted himself to with unwavering dedication—but also draws him into a major incident. Suspicion arises that someone may be leaking information from within, putting the team’s trust at risk.
COMMENTS FROM THE CAST
Hikaru Iwamoto
— How did you feel when Season 2 was confirmed?
“Honestly, I just thought, ‘Thank you!’ and was really happy that I’d get to meet Tatsunosuke again. I’m also looking forward to seeing Shiraishi-san. But I didn’t expect a sequel, so I thought, ‘Guess I have to cut my hair again’ (laughs). My hair had grown out since Season 1, so even though I knew it was coming, I still kept asking, ‘I really have to cut it again, right…?'”
— Anything new you want to try this time?
“I want the action scenes to be even more intense and gripping than last time. I’m more fired up than ever for Season 2. I’ve also heard rumors that we’ll get deeper insight into the other security members—and maybe even their romantic stories (?!), so I’m really looking forward to how the story evolves.”
— How did you prepare for the role this time?
“While overseas for work, I had the chance to observe real security professionals up close. I’d watch how they assessed their surroundings or communicated discreetly—it was fascinating. Since working on Season 1, my perspective on security professionals has really changed. I’ve developed this personal habit of observing how carefully they protect those in their care. I might be the only one among the cast who enjoys this from such a niche angle (laughs).”
— What if you were in a long-distance relationship with an 8-hour time difference?
“I get lonely easily… so who knows how I’d handle it. Even when a friend’s overseas, I check the time difference before texting so I don’t disturb them. I might overthink things and struggle in a romantic situation like that. But I guess you never really know until you’re in that position.”
— What’s your approach to good teamwork?
“It depends on the team, and I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all answer, but I think ‘consideration’ is key. I’m not the ‘me first’ type of leader—I prefer, ‘Let’s all do this together.’ That probably links well with the bodyguard team in the show. In Season 2, Tatsunosuke has trouble getting in sync with the new team, but the addition of new members will definitely bring fresh energy for both me and the audience.”
Mai Shiraishi
— Your thoughts on Season 2 being confirmed?
“I was surprised—’There’s a Season 2!?’ But I’m really happy to play Rika again, so I’m looking forward to it.”
— Anything you’d like to try or improve this time?
“I saw the action scenes up close last time, so in Season 2, I’d love to throw a kick or two myself (laughs). Not at Tatsunosuke, of course—at the villains! I think Rika has a strong side she can show when protecting herself, and I’m excited to explore that.”
— How are you preparing for the role this time?
“Rika has a bright, spontaneous personality—she blurts things out without overthinking, and that’s her charm. I want to carry those traits into Season 2 while adding new layers to her. This time, since Rika’s studying in London, most of her interactions with Tatsunosuke are over the phone. But that actually brings a different emotional nuance, and I’ll work closely with the director and producers to portray that delicately.”
— How would you handle a long-distance relationship with a time difference?
“I think I’d still message quite a bit. But I might be pretty chill about it—just happy to get a reply. Kind of like checking they’re still alive: ‘Oh, they’te doing okay,’ and that’s enough for me (laughs).”
— Any personal thoughts on building team chemistry?
“When I was in a group, we always made a point to talk to each other—especially when someone seemed troubled or stressed. I think that kind of communication is vital for building trust and unity. With the new security team, I think the action will be even more dynamic, so I’m excited to see how it turns out.”
— Any final thoughts as filming begins?
“I hope viewers enjoy not only the romantic side but also the professional drama aspect. I’m looking forward to filming with a positive attitude and having fun with it.”
For more information about the upcoming season, including cast announcements, episode previews, and behind-the-scenes snippets, keep an eye on the series’ official social media channels.