Prime Video has released the original Japanese drama series “Criminal”, which is based on the novel of the same name by Ai Ota.
The series will unfold weekly for four consecutive weeks. The film will be directed by Daishi Matsunaga, whose “The Egoist” was highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally, and written by Takeharu Sakurai, who frequently contributed to the long-running TV series “Aibou” and the theatrical “Detective Conan” series. Sakurai’s “Detective Conan: The Black Iron Submarine” became the first work in the series to exceed 10 billion yen ($62.4 million) in box office revenue in Japan. The music was composed by composer Kenji Kawai.
The story is about Shuji Shigefuji (Hiroshi Mizukami), the sole survivor of a mass stabbing incident that occurred in a crowded station plaza. When the suspected attacker, identified as a drug addict, dies at the scene, a stranger appears at the hospital and warns Shuuji that he has 10 days to live. Shuji, who is soon targeted again, is rescued by detective Ryosuke Soma (Issei Takahashi) and asks former TV journalist Nanao Yarimizu (Takumi Saito) to protect him. The trio’s investigation draws them into a vast conspiracy involving corporate fraud, political interference, and a hidden disease.
Ai Ota, whose screenwriting credits include the “Aibo” series and “Trick 2,” had turned down several previous approaches to adapt her debut novel into a film, citing long-standing concerns that pressure from sponsors would force her to change key elements of the story. “However, this time, I received an offer to make it into a film in what I thought was the best way, so I decided that under the circumstances, I would be able to entrust the work to the original work,” Director Ota said.
Matsunaga made his feature debut with “Pieta in the Toilet,” and later gained attention with “Egoist.” “Rather than trying to wrap up the story neatly, I was driven by the overwhelming energy of the original work, and I took on the challenge of filming for four months every day,” he says.
Takahashi, who is known for his roles in the dramas “Quartet” and “Kishibe Rohan wa Kaku Nariki” series, said, “I felt that I had no choice but to participate in this work because I could see people who continue to resist in the story, and I felt that it might be an opportunity for me to reconsider my own way of life and where I belong.”
Mr. Saito is known around the world for works such as “Shin Ultraman” and “Cho Tokkyu”, and is also active as a director and producer. Mizukami made her debut in the drama “Let’s meet after school” and has since appeared in “Until we meet again at Yuri no Oka”. His next film “The Roundup” is also in the works.
“We are confident that this film will leave a lasting impression not only on existing fans, but also on viewers around the world,” said Keisuke Oishi, Country Manager, Prime Video Japan.
“Infected” is produced by Protx and will premiere on July 17th.
