Yu Yokoyama anticipates emotions and reveals interesting facts about his character in ‘Finding a Serial Killer Tonight’

The new suspense production “Finding a Serial Killer Again Tonight” arrives to shake up Wednesday nights.

Scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026, the series will be broadcast weekly at 11pm, in a new and strategic time slot for dramas, co-produced by Kansai TV and Fuji TV.

The plot features Yu Yokoyama in the role of Isogai, a lonely detective who is reluctant to get close to other people. His journey intersects with that of Hinata, played by Nagisa Sekimizu, a character with an extraordinary ability to visualize the total number of victims of a criminal when coming into contact with him. Together, the protagonists form a secret alliance, driven by the desire for revenge after the loss of loved ones, while facing a serial killer who camouflages himself in the routine of society.

Based on the manga of the same name by Kon Iguchi and Yuji Nakamura, the production adapts a successful story that has been published in Kodansha’s “good! Afternoon” magazine. The work’s popularity is due to its innovative concept, which explores the characters’ special abilities as a central element to its engaging and unpredictable plot.

On the eve of the screening of the opening chapter, which will air tonight, actor Yu Yokoyama, who plays the protagonist Shiro Isogai, gave a statement.

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Regarding Shiro Isogai, the role he plays, Yokoyama was asked to describe the essence of the character and what makes him so appealing to the audience.

“He appears to be ‘constantly immersed in darkness’, and his existence is drastically altered when his fiancée leaves him,” the actor revealed. “I often find myself reflecting, ‘What would I react to in a circumstance like this?’ I believe he will maintain his strong sense of justice until the end of the series, and on a personal level, I hope for a happy ending for him.”

Asked about the aspects he prioritizes in his performance, the artist highlighted his approach.

“I try to bring the character to life according to the script, giving my own interpretation”, explained Yokoyama. He mentioned using more formal language with Hinata, highlighting that this choice is intentional and based on the atmosphere of each scene. “I hope the public notices and values ​​these nuances in the evolution of the relationship between the two,” he added.

When asked about a scene or phrase from the inaugural episode that had a profound impact on him, the protagonist shared a memory.

“I imagine viewers will exclaim, ‘This guy is very brave!’ at Isogai’s first appearance,” he said humorously. The actor revealed that the actions were targeted, but considered that “if a detective acted like that, he would be immediately removed from his role in real life.”

Regarding daily recordings under high temperatures, Yokoyama commented on whether he has already adapted to the heat.

“At first, the heat was suffocating, but the recent rains brought relief,” said the actor, referring to his leather jacket. He said he has made adaptations, such as wearing a lighter t-shirt underneath, but expressed concern about the high temperatures expected in July and August as filming continues.

With the arrival of July, the actor was asked about his expectations for the summer.

“I will do my best to ensure that the series is completed without any setbacks”, he guaranteed. He highlighted the collective effort of the team and cast, who “work tirelessly with the goal of delivering a quality product”, and expressed the desire for as many people as possible to watch.

Regarding his way of relieving the stress of intense recording days, the actor revealed a habit.

“I often watch variety show videos starring my younger colleagues at the agency,” he shared.

Finally, regarding his emotions with the airing of the first episode and its message to the public, Yu Yokoyama spoke.

“The opening day brings a unique mix of excitement and apprehension,” he confessed. He emphasized that “the true experience of the series begins after viewing the first chapter.” In a relaxed manner, he added: “I ask you to watch the initial episode and, if you don’t feel captivated, you can stop (laughs).” Concluindo, o ator garantiu ter lido a obra original e achado-a fascinante, dedicando-se intensamente ao projeto. “I believe it will be an engaging production, so I hope they give it an opportunity”, he concluded.

Details of the premiere episode: the plot that will air on July 1st

The first episode uncovers the capture of a serial killer responsible for the deaths of three women in the Ikebukuro South Police Station area, who kept the victims’ hair as trophies. The crucial clue to solving the crime came from a cryptic anonymous email, with the message: “We arrested the serial killer. The rest is in your hands.” Sergeant Isogai Shiro, played by Yu Yokoyama, a member of the Community Security Division, expresses great interest in discovering the true identity of the “enigmatic informant”, who until then had kept secrets about similar heinous crimes.

Isogai, formerly the department’s most brilliant detective, stepped away from the role three years ago after an unspecified incident and has since operated independently. He notices a peculiar recurrence of “tissue paper” in crime scene images. At the same time, testimonials from users on social media platforms point to the figure of Kuroi Hinata, played by Sekimizu Nagisa, known as the “hankerchief distribution angel”.

Hinata, often ridiculed and nicknamed “sugar baby” for her extravagant visual changes and for following middle-aged men with suspicious conduct, has her actions investigated by Isogai. He discovers that her behavior is much more daring and disturbing than he imagined.

The young woman established contact with serial killers who integrate into urban life with the aim of finding new victims. In a shocking turn of events, Hinata willingly positioned herself as a target for these criminals, seeking direct interaction.

The combination of a detective driven by revenge and an enigmatic person with unusual talents sets the stage for a high-stakes “encounter” that is about to begin.

The original manga version of the series, which served as the basis for the drama, is available for purchase until the fourth volume.