Farewell to 'Forensic Investigator Mariko': Fans Express Sadness Over TV Series Conclusion, Citing 'Sawaguchi Yasuko Loss'

News has broken that TV Asahi's popular drama series, Kasouken no Onna (Forensic Investigator Mariko), is ending its run as a television series, leading to an outpouring of regret and farewells from fans on social media. The protagonist, Mariko Sakaki, played by Yasuko Sawaguchi, who solves cases with the power of science, has been beloved by many viewers for many years.

According to reports from Shukan Josei PRIME and other sources, the series is set to conclude with a "glorious finale" in a New Year's special drama. In response to this news, numerous posts expressing sorrow have appeared on X (formerly Twitter), such as "Is Kasouken no Onna really ending...? I'm so sad," "This is too shocking. I hope Mariko-san gets proper recognition from the Kyoto Prefectural Police," and "I'm going through Sawaguchi Yasuko loss... No wayyyy, this is toughhh 😭😭😭😭."

Due to its long broadcast history, Kasouken no Onna has been compared to other long-running dramas like Aibou (Partners), with comments such as, "I wondered which would end first, Aibou or Kasouken, but it looks like Kasouken is going first..." Some fans also speculated about the future: "It's easy to keep going, but ratings are a factor. Perhaps single-episode specials or movies are preferable going forward," and "Please do it once a year!!" These comments show expectations for the series to continue in the form of special dramas or movies.

In particular, the "Domomari" duo of protagonist Mariko Sakaki and Detective Kaoru Domon (played by Takashi Naito) has garnered strong fan support, leading to cries of regret like "We won't be able to see Domomari anymore?!" There were also voices acknowledging the show's long legacy and hoping for a fitting conclusion, stating, "As long as they give it a proper ending, that's all that matters. Thank you, Kasouken."

For approximately a quarter-century, Kasouken no Onna has reigned as a monumental work in Japanese forensic investigation dramas. All eyes across the nation are now fixed on its final appearance in the New Year's special drama.

The Context

Kasouken no Onna, known internationally as Forensic Investigator Mariko, is a highly popular and long-running Japanese television drama series that first premiered in 1999 on TV Asahi. The show centers around Mariko Sakaki, a brilliant and often unconventional forensic scientist at the Kyoto Prefectural Police's Forensic Science Laboratory, played by veteran actress Yasuko Sawaguchi. Mariko, along with her colleagues and the police detective unit, uses advanced scientific techniques to uncover the truth behind complex criminal cases.

Spanning over two decades and more than 20 seasons, plus numerous specials and a feature film, the series has become a cultural institution in Japan, celebrated for its engaging mysteries, consistent cast, and its central character's dedication to scientific truth. Its longevity rivals other iconic Japanese dramas like Aibou (Partners). The phrase "Sawaguchi Yasuko loss" (沢口靖子ロス) refers to the deep sense of sadness and absence fans feel about the potential end of the series and the beloved actress's portrayal of Mariko Sakaki, a role she has embodied for a generation.