TV-Series
Description
Ikkō Aoki is a young investigator newly assigned to Section Nine within the National Research Institute of Police Science's 9th Forensics Laboratory. His lip-reading ability proves vital for investigations involving memory extraction, where visual records lack sound. He also possesses helicopter piloting skills. Kind, earnest, and hardworking, Aoki struggles with the ethical violation of invading the deceased's privacy through memory scans. His deep empathy for victims creates significant emotional conflict regarding his work.
Aoki holds strong admiration for Tsuyoshi Maki, Section Nine's director, and specifically joined the unit to work under him. This admiration evolves into complex, underlying romantic feelings that Aoki himself remains largely unaware of. His personal life becomes entangled with professional challenges when he forms a relationship with Yukiko, the former lover of Maki's deceased best friend, Katsuhiro Suzuki. Aoki eventually becomes engaged to Yukiko, though speculation suggests his feelings for her might be influenced by residual memories of Suzuki, whose memories Aoki views and sometimes confuses with his own experiences.
Following the murder of his sister and brother-in-law—a tragedy linked to his profession's dangers—Aoki prioritizes others' safety by breaking off his engagement to Yukiko. He volunteers for high-risk operations, including deliberately infecting himself with a deadly virus to apprehend a killer, despite Maki's objections that such active police work exceeds their unit's scope. Aoki demonstrates resilience by insisting on participating in the investigation into his family's deaths, maintaining composure even when his mother blames him for the murders.
His tenacity is further evidenced by persisting through psychological challenges. Viewing Suzuki's memories exposes him to the traumatic Kainuma murder case, which previously devastated Section Nine and led Maki to kill Suzuki. Aoki overcomes the resulting mental strain, including fainting spells triggered by disturbing memory scans, without abandoning his duties. During a critical confrontation, he physically restrains Maki from a self-destructive act, confessing his feelings and urging Maki to stop blaming himself for past events.
After Section Nine disbands, Aoki is promoted to Chief of Precinct 8 in Kyushu. He takes custody of his orphaned niece Mai, raising her while maintaining correspondence with Maki. Aoki's journey culminates in a transition from an idealistic newcomer to a resilient leader balancing professional responsibilities with personal sacrifices.
Aoki holds strong admiration for Tsuyoshi Maki, Section Nine's director, and specifically joined the unit to work under him. This admiration evolves into complex, underlying romantic feelings that Aoki himself remains largely unaware of. His personal life becomes entangled with professional challenges when he forms a relationship with Yukiko, the former lover of Maki's deceased best friend, Katsuhiro Suzuki. Aoki eventually becomes engaged to Yukiko, though speculation suggests his feelings for her might be influenced by residual memories of Suzuki, whose memories Aoki views and sometimes confuses with his own experiences.
Following the murder of his sister and brother-in-law—a tragedy linked to his profession's dangers—Aoki prioritizes others' safety by breaking off his engagement to Yukiko. He volunteers for high-risk operations, including deliberately infecting himself with a deadly virus to apprehend a killer, despite Maki's objections that such active police work exceeds their unit's scope. Aoki demonstrates resilience by insisting on participating in the investigation into his family's deaths, maintaining composure even when his mother blames him for the murders.
His tenacity is further evidenced by persisting through psychological challenges. Viewing Suzuki's memories exposes him to the traumatic Kainuma murder case, which previously devastated Section Nine and led Maki to kill Suzuki. Aoki overcomes the resulting mental strain, including fainting spells triggered by disturbing memory scans, without abandoning his duties. During a critical confrontation, he physically restrains Maki from a self-destructive act, confessing his feelings and urging Maki to stop blaming himself for past events.
After Section Nine disbands, Aoki is promoted to Chief of Precinct 8 in Kyushu. He takes custody of his orphaned niece Mai, raising her while maintaining correspondence with Maki. Aoki's journey culminates in a transition from an idealistic newcomer to a resilient leader balancing professional responsibilities with personal sacrifices.