The Criminal ambient background
CinebyCineby
The Criminal backdrop

The Criminal

The Criminal
★ 7.2/10•2026•NC16•Mystery•Drama
Similars

A random mass stabbing, major food company Titus Foods, and a mysterious infant disease. These three things have as much in common as Detective Soma, hack writer Yarimizu, and the stabbing's lone survivor, Shuji. Yet, these men are now embroiled in a risky quest for the truth. What they find, though, is more heinous than they imagined, making them question just who is the real criminal?

Takeharu Sakurai · Screenplay

Daishi Matsunaga · Director

StatusEnded
LanguageJA
First Air DateJul 17, 2026

Episodes

Episode 1 - Episode 1E148m

Episode 1

A masked man disrupts a peaceful afternoon, stabbing everyone in sight. The police later find the suspect dead, making it an open-and-shut case. However, Detective Soma has his misgivings when Shuji, the lone survivor, gets attacked again. Told to survive just ten more days by a mysterious man, Shuji is forced to depend on Soma as they are pushed into a shadowy world neither are prepared for.

Jul 17, 2026

Episode 2 - Episode 2E243m

Episode 2

Nakasako is basking in the joy of turning his company's latest baby food product into a big hit. Or he would have, if he had not discovered the cause of the new face-deforming disease. When food manufacturer Titus Foods chooses to protect itself over the innocent children, Nakasako gets dragged into a conspiracy more sinister than anything he could ever imagine.

Jul 17, 2026

Episode 3 - Episode 3E342m

Episode 3

Nine days before the mass stabbing, Nakasako's accomplice, Mazaki, settles into a hotel to begin his plans. However, a theft throws everything awry, leading him and a couple of innocent hotel employees down a deadly path. In the present, Shuji accidentally finds a clue that leads to the identity of the mysterious man.

Jul 17, 2026

Episode 4 - Episode 4E440m

Episode 4

After learning Nakasako's identity, Shuji's memory leads his team to Mazaki, who has vanished; just as the case hits a wall, Yarimizu finds a clue tying Mazaki to Titus Foods and the stabbings.

Jul 24, 2026

Episode 5 - Episode 5E548m

Episode 5

When Shuji falls into a deadly trap, Soma and Yarimizu discover his painful past, forcing Soma to face his own demons; the trio uncovers even deeper secrets lurking in the shadows.

Jul 24, 2026

Episode 6 - Episode 6E645m

Episode 6

Public outcry grows as Mazaki's accusation against Titus Foods is revealed. Meanwhile, Soma, Shuji and Yarimizu finally make contact with Nakasako after confirming Mazaki's true goal.

Jul 31, 2026

Episode 7 - Episode 7E752m

Episode 7

Determined to honour the sacrifices of Mazaki and Nakasako, Yarimizu, Shuji and Soma vow to persist in their struggle. They set out on a perilous quest to uncover the corrupt dealings of those in power.

Jul 31, 2026

Actors

Koshi Mizukami

Koshi Mizukami

Shuji Shigetou

Issey Takahashi

Issey Takahashi

Ryosuke Soma

Takumi Saitoh

Takumi Saitoh

Nanao Yarimizu

Yusuke Santamaria

Yusuke Santamaria

Takeshi Nakasako

Jung Il-woo

Jung Il-woo

Takigawa

Recommendations

The Hardy Boys
The Doctor Blake Mysteries
High Potential
Annika
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Agatha Christie's Marple
Coroner
The Rainmaker
AIBOU: Tokyo Detective Duo
Barnaby Jones
Elementary
Baretta
Ouroboros
The Chelsea Detective
Unnatural
Twisted
The Brokenwood Mysteries
Perry Mason
Scream: The TV Series
Murder in a Small Town

Similars

Shenanigans
Cold Shores
VIP
I Turn
Standing in the Time
My Robot Boyfriend
Heirs to the Land
Santo
Columbo
Thirty-Minute Theatre
Aranyak
Liaison
Gone for Good
Everlasting God Of Sword
Love Destiny
Las secretas intenciones
How to Get Away with Murder
Brotherhood of Silver
The First Responders
Psychopath Diary