It's been announced that actress Nagasawa Masami will star in a new TV Asahi drama called 'Toshi Densetsu no Onna'!

Nagasawa has taken up the the role of 'Otonashi Tsukiko', an unconventional female detective for the MPD's Criminal Investigations Division 1. Otonashi has a mania for urban legends, and only became a detective because she wanted to prove or bust the legends. Somehow, she always manages to find a connection between unresolved cases and various urban legends, such as the legend behind the head tomb ('kubizuka') of samurai Taira no Masakado.

Nagasawa expressed that she's always wanted to try out the role of a female detective. Moreover, she personally loves urban legends, and so there wasn't much hesitation on her part when she received the offer for this role.

"Urban legends are exciting and fascinating," Nagasawa commented. As for the 'urban legends' (or rumors) related to the actress, Nagasawa said, "Most of them aren't true, but I don't take them seriously and just think to myself, 'Since people are enjoying them that much, why try to take away the fun?'"

She continued, "This time I don't want to hold back anything and add a lot of ad-libs and many little jokes."

Nagasawa will be supported by Mizobata Junpei, who will play a guy from forensics who's completely taken in by Otonashi's charms. Furthermore, one of her superiors will be played by Takenaka Naoto.

Mizobata revealed that he loves urban legends related to history. He promised future viewers that,� "I will devote myself to this drama, so that it will help people to loosen up at Friday night after another long and tiresome week."

Starting in April, TV Asahi will air 'Toshi Densetsu no Onna' every Friday night at 11:15 p.m. Each episode will feature a new case and its solution.

Source: Sanspo [2]