Actress Tao Tsuchiya and timelesz member Shori Sato will lead the upcoming TV Asahi drama “Borderless: Wide-Area Mobile Investigation Unit” (ボーダレス ~広域移動捜査隊~), which will air every Wednesday at 9:00 PM (JST) starting April 8. The script is written by Ryoichi Kimizuka, who has produced hit works such as “Bayside Shakedown” (“Odoru Daisousasen”) and “Kyojo,” and has had a massive influence on Japan’s television and film industries.
The Wednesday 9 PM slot has been the home of many popular detective dramas, such as “Aibou,” “Tokusou 9,” and “Keiji 7-nin.” Joining that lineup, this new original series revolves around a “mobile investigation headquarters” that races to crime scenes in a specially equipped truck. Familiar faces in the genre Kinya Kitaoji and 20th Century‘s Yoshihiko Inohara will also appear, supporting the cast.
The story follows the Mobile Investigation Division, which drives a truck that serves multiple roles: a mobile investigation headquarters, interrogation room, detention facility, and disaster-relief supply transport vehicle. The main headquarters vehicle is nicknamed “Ichibanboshi” (“First Star”) both inside and outside the unit. The drama depicts the activities of seven detectives with complicated pasts who operate the unit and move freely across regions with this “First Star.”
One of the protagonists is Momoko Nakazawa (Tao Tsuchiya), a non-career detective in the Mobile Investigation Division. She is hot-blooded and blunt, saying whatever she thinks without hesitation and never flattering anyone. However, she has a certain past that led her to join this division. Although she seems uninterested in men, she appears intrigued by the other protagonist, Rui Kizawa (Shori Sato), a rookie detective recently assigned to the unit. Tao has demonstrated strong presence in numerous projects, including NHK’s morning drama “Mare,” Netflix’s “Alice in Borderland” series, stage productions, and high-profile films, solidifying her position as one of the industry’s most prolific talents today.
Rui had been working in the violent crimes division at a local police station, but a month earlier he made a mistake during an investigation due to his overly passionate nature. Just as he was about to be removed from field work, he was transferred to the Mobile Investigation Division because he possesses a large vehicle driver’s license. Bright and proactive, Rui gradually becomes drawn to his senior detective Momoko. In addition to being a member of the popular group timelesz, Shori has starred in several works such as the drama “Akai Nurse Call,” the film “Black School Rules,” and is now even venturing into the world of voice acting with the upcoming animated film “Kimi to Hanabi to Yakusoku.” His energetic and positive personality makes him well suited for the role of Rui, who pushes forward boldly in everything he does.
Meanwhile, Kinya Kitaoji, who has appeared in numerous detective dramas including his role as Shuntaro Domoto in “Keiji 7-nin,” will play Soichiro Midorikawa, nicknamed “Mecha-ji”—a master auto mechanic who supports the Mobile Investigation Division. Once a fierce Metropolitan Police detective, he was transferred to the Equipment Division after sustaining an injury during an investigation. Now retired, he runs a small auto repair shop and, as a former officer, helps modify the division’s trucks. He occasionally visits to check on the vehicles and leaves hints that aid investigations, effectively acting as the “seventh detective” of the unit.
When speaking of Yoshihiko Inohara and the Wednesday 9 PM time slot, one naturally thinks of “Tokusou 9” (also known as “Special Investigation 9”), which concluded with its final season last year. The series originally began in 2006 as “Keishicho Sosa Ikka 9-Gakari” (“Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Department 9”), and Yoshihiko played Naoki Asawa for 19 years. In this new drama, he will portray another detective: Norifumi Akase, the Mobile Investigation Division chief and team leader. A member of the elite “career track,” he previously worked in the Second Investigation Division but became the division chief for certain reasons. Though usually calm and laid-back, observing things from a broader perspective, he hides a strong sense of responsibility and passionate determination.
The remaining detectives will be announced at a later date. In the meantime, check out the first teaser below:
Comments from the cast
Tao Tsuchiya
Q: What were your impressions after reading the project proposal and script?
“When I co-starred with Hiroshi Tachi and Kyohei Shibata in the film The Return of Abunai Deka, they were so wonderful that ever since then I’ve hoped to try a buddy-style detective drama myself. So when I received this offer, I immediately said “Yes!” I’m also really drawn to the title ‘Borderless: Wide-Area Mobile Investigation Unit.’ I’m very curious to see what kind of story it will become.”
Q: What kind of character is Momoko Nakazawa, and how do you want to portray her?
“From the script so far, Momoko seems to have a strong sense of self. I’m thinking about what ‘strength’ means for her and how to express it, and how to include compassion within that strength. I’ll be working with experienced actors like Shori Sato and Yoshihiko Inohara, so I hope to enjoy the process on set while portraying Momoko’s strength with care.”
Q: This is your first time working with Shori Sato. What is your impression of him?
“His group has been active since I was a student, and I’ve always thought it must be very difficult to pursue a career in entertainment with such dedication from a young age. I’ve watched him with admiration. The character Rui that he plays also faces people sincerely with a strong sense of responsibility, so I think there’s something in common between them.”
Q: Are you looking forward to working with Yoshihiko Inohara and Kinya Kitaoji?
“Very much! I met Inohara when I appeared in an NHK morning drama and he helped me on a morning program. When you meet him, you somehow feel your heart settle—he has a very warm presence. As for Kinya Kitaoji, he’s a legend in my family. We all love Lone Wolf and Cub, and many of our ideas about sword fights and action come from that series. When I get to work with him, I plan to absorb everything I can.”
Q: Please give a message to the viewers.
“This is an exciting show filled with strong characters and talented actors. I’m really happy to take on a new challenge with the staff who built the long-running Wednesday 9 PM drama tradition. I hope we can race forward together with everyone watching.”
Shori Sato
Q: Your impressions after reading the proposal and script?
“My first reaction was simply, “Wow, I’ve been offered something amazing!” The Wednesday 9 PM slot on TV Asahi is a big deal, and working alongside Tao Tsuchiya made me feel the need to really step up. From the proposal stage I knew I wanted to be part of it, so I’ll do my best to make it a great series.”
Q: What kind of character is Rui Kizawa?
“Rui tends to rush headlong into things. He’s the type who runs forward driven purely by justice, and I want to portray that sincerity. When he goes too far, I imagine Momoko—played by Tsuchiya—will rein him in. He’s the kind of character who focuses so intensely on one thing that he loses sight of everything else.”
Q: Your impression of Tao Tsuchiya?
“Watching her work, I feel her strong sense of responsibility and dedication to her projects. She seems like someone who values words deeply and has a very graceful presence.”
Q: Are you looking forward to working with Inohara and Kitaoji?
“Personally, I’m very happy to co-star with Yoshihiko Inohara, who is my senior at the agency. This will be our first time acting together, but I hope our existing relationship helps the show. He’s always been very kind to junior members like us, and I’d like to repay some of that through this project.
I’ve heard many stories about Kinya Kitaoji from my timelesz bandmate So Matsushima, who worked with him before. I was a bit jealous hearing about it, so I’m excited that I finally get to work with him myself and learn from him.”
Q: A message to the viewers?
“I’ll work hard to make this a new drama full of surprises and excitement. At the same time, I hope it will maintain the comforting feeling people expect from the Wednesday 9 PM slot.”
Kinya Kitaoji
Q: Your impressions after reading the proposal and script?
“When I was a kid, there were buses that ran on charcoal. If you passed the depot early in the morning, you could see mechanics hand-cranking the engines. I used to watch them so long before school that I’d end up late. Playing this mechanic character reminded me of those childhood memories.
The title Borderless also appealed to me. A wide world suggests freedom, without constraints—but within that freedom there are also struggles. I think the rhythm of this drama lies in overcoming those struggles and moving forward in the right direction.”
Q: How will you portray Soichiro Midorikawa?
“I feel close to the idea of someone who has overcome many things to reach where he is now. Work is about making life easier for others—when everyone contributes, we move forward together like interlocking gears. I sense that spirit in this team.”
Q: What are you looking forward to about joining the team?
“Every project begins with new encounters, which is always exciting. We may face difficulties, but there is also great joy. If we can finish the drama together with a sense of accomplishment, that would be wonderful.”
Q: A message to the viewers?
“I think the regular cast’s emotions, actions, and brilliance will shine through strongly in this series. My character “Mecha-ji” will watch over them from the background while doing his best to keep up. I’d be very happy if viewers look forward to that.”
Yoshihiko Inohara
Q: Your impressions after reading the proposal and script?
“My first thought was how exciting it sounded to have a mobile investigation headquarters in a truck. I love the series Seibu Keisatsu, and I even collected all the toy cars. So I hope they release a miniature of the headquarters truck ‘Ichibanboshi’! That’s how excited I am.”
Q: What kind of character is Norifumi Akase?
“Akase is calm and composed but gets things done. Rather than pulling the team forward with orders, he leads by example. The members of the truck all have complicated pasts, and those backgrounds will gradually be revealed as the story progresses.”
Q: Your impression of Tsuchiya and Sato?
“This is my first time acting with Tao Tsuchiya, and she’s very beautiful and charming. During the script reading I felt she had created a very solid interpretation of her character.
Shori Sato is a junior colleague at my agency, but we agreed to treat each other simply as co-actors. He’s very serious and dependable. I’d like to support the two leads as much as I can.”
Q: You’re very familiar with both this time slot and the Toei studio.
“Yes, I was coming here regularly until last spring. Even today the Kanpachi road was crowded! I’ve been commuting here for about twenty years, so it feels like home—but with a new series, we start fresh from the same starting line.”
Q: Any advice for working at Toei Studios?
“Shori actually asked me that the other day. Dressing rooms are often on the fourth floor, so I told him to walk between the studio and dressing room instead of using the elevator—the stairs are good exercise!”
Q: A message to the viewers?
“Filming hasn’t started yet, but during the cast meeting and script reading I already felt the enthusiasm from both the staff and cast. When you feel that kind of excitement early on, it usually means something great will come out of it. I believe we’ll create a masterpiece, so please look forward to it.”
Check out timelesz on their various social media platforms!
Fuma Kikuchi Official Instagram
So Matsushima Official Instagram
Takuto Teranishi Official Instagram
Shuto Inomata Official Instagram
Yoshitaka Hara Official Instagram
Taiki Shinozuka Official Instagram
Masaki Hashimoto Official Instagram