■“Loss of promises” is already spreading!Voices calling for a sequel continue to grow
Starring Anne Nakamura and co-starring Yu Yokoyama (SUPER EIGHT). The unpredictable and completely original “psychological suspense” “Promise: The Truth of the 16th Year” finally reached its final episode on June 13th with the 10th episode.
The series dragged viewers into a quagmire of speculation, but in the script for the scene in episode 9 in which the true culprit appears, the name of the culprit was blacked out (meaning that even the cast members were not informed of the identity of the true culprit until the very last minute).
What is the “truth after 16 years” that the main character Aoi (Nakamura Anne) discovers?
■ Review of the final episode (contains spoilers)
The “real culprit” finally appears.
One of her classmates, Asuka Momo (Oda Risa), tells Aoi (Nakamura Anne), “You broke your promise with me.” Kosaka (Yokoyama Yu), who was listening to what was going on while on the phone with Aoi, informs the members of the Nono Police Station of the situation, explaining that the sighting of a person who looked like Ide (Mori Yusaku) at the crime scene was an alibi to protect Momo, and that it is highly likely that Asuka Momo, the real culprit, took Aoi and moved somewhere.
Aoi wakes up tied to a chair in a dimly lit space. Momo faces Aoi and begins talking about the “promise.” “I killed other people in Aoi’s place to make up for it,” Momo says with a laugh. It all started when she read a movie script written by Fuwa (Hosoda Yoshihiko). Momo says she thought the sequence of events in the script, in which a character is strangled to death and a marble is stuffed into their mouth, was beautiful, and it gave her the urge to kill. From there, she calmly explains, she practiced killing women who looked like Aoi, who was supposed to play the main character in the movie.
Momo explains that she killed Fuwa’s sister, Rei, because she looked a bit like Aoi. When Aoi returned to the scene after killing Rei, the friendship bracelet Momo was wearing broke and fell onto the scene. Fearing that she would be found out, Momo hit Aoi in the back of the head from behind, causing Aoi to lose her memory.
Momo got Aoi’s father Yasuo (Hasegawa Tomoharu) involved in the crime out of a little prank, but various incidents and schemes unbeknownst to Momo led to Yasuo’s arrest and his death. Momo says that after that, she thought she wanted to stop killing, but in the end, she wanted to get rid of her mother who was violent towards her. Since there was a high possibility of suspicion arising from the death of a family member, she instructed Ide to bury the body in the garden of Aoi’s parents’ house.
Momo talks about the promise she made with Aoi in high school. At the time, Aoi had told her that she would always be his best friend, no matter where they were. Momo was so happy that she promised him that she would complete her greatest work, which would mean killing Aoi.
Despite being reunited, Aoi continues to doubt her best friend and tries to arrest her. “We’re not best friends anymore,” Momo declares, growing emotional. Then she puts a rope around Aoi’s neck. “Aoi, goodbye…” At that moment, members of the Noda Police Station who had been searching for Momo arrive. Using the movie script as a clue, Kosaka has pinpointed the location where Momo will likely be completing her final work. Fuwa also arrives at the scene and expresses his anger towards Momo. He grabs a knife and tries to stab Momo, but Aoi sacrifices himself, saying, “Rei wouldn’t want you to commit a crime, Fuwa.”
With Momo handcuffed, the serial murders finally come to an end. The truth is revealed after 16 years, and the real culprit is arrested, but Aoi is filled with regret and sadness. Kosaka sees this and encourages her, saying, “It’s not something you should carry on your shoulders, it’s the future you should look at.”
Later, Aoi is reunited with Ichijo (Okabe Takashi). Ichijo has been entrusted with something by Arimura (Sugimoto Tetta) that he wants Aoi to receive. It is a letter addressed to Aoi from her father, Yasuo. Aoi reads the letter from her father and is moved to tears by its love. After 16 years, Aoi finally discovers the truth that she has been searching for ever since her father was mistakenly arrested.
Kosaka returns to the headquarters, and Aoi stays behind at the Nono Police Station. The classmates also head towards the future, each with their own thoughts and feelings.
■Voices of “missing The Promise” have spread, and there have been many voices expressing a desire for a sequel and gratitude for the work!
The drama “Promise” has finally reached its final episode. Since the broadcast began, “#Promise16YearsTruth” has been trending on X (formerly Twitter), and despite it being late at night, many viewers who had been waiting for the broadcast were excited on social media.
The real culprit, Momo (Oda Risa), spoke of a “promise” she made with Aoi (Nakamura Anne). Momo’s motive for becoming a serial killer caused a stir on social media.
“I was worried about what would happen if Momo was too scary, but I’ve never seen a drama that made me think like this before.”
“The moment Momo was handcuffed by Aoi, she was in ecstasy. Her expression was outstanding, as if she was convinced that Aoi was her soulmate. She didn’t seem to care about being arrested at all.”
Many viewers were overwhelmed by the madness of Momo, a serial killer. The “16th year truth” was revealed through the 10 episodes. Many people said it was too good for a late-night drama, and the feeling of missing “The Promise” spread quickly after the broadcast ended.
“It was the first time I’ve ever watched a drama with the first episode repeated so many times.”
“There aren’t many dramas that make you want to rewatch them after you know the ending.”
“A really interesting drama that kept me on my toes until the very end.”
“I want to rewatch it from the beginning again.”
There were many comments expressing gratitude to the film, cast and staff, and calling for a sequel.
Aoi finally discovers the “truth after 16 years” and fulfills the “promise” she made to her father.
“It’s overwhelming, but ends on a satisfying note.”
“It was a very good ending, very touching and hopeful, which is rare for a speculative drama.”
“I hope the future is bright for Aoi and the others.”
“I’d love to see what happens to Aoi and the others in the future.”
The feeling of comfort after watching the film was also a topic of conversation.
Many people commented that they were touched by Aoi, who had lost everything and carried her grief alone for 16 years, but who then determinedly found the truth and continued to move forward, realizing that even if the past cannot be changed, the future can.
Episodes 1 to 3 and the final episode are currently available for free on TVer.
Episodes 1 to 3, Final Episode TVer Distribution URL
https://tver.jp/episodes/epl09n2g3a
“Promise: The Truth of the 16th Year” program site
