Columbo of Shinano 5 - The 'Shinano Country' Murder Case (2017)
A Japanese TV mystery following a Columbo-inspired detective, adapted from Yasuo Uchida's beloved crime novels.
Columbo of Shinano 5 - The 'Shinano Country' Murder Case - Movie Information
Columbo of Shinano 5 - The 'Shinano Country' Murder Case - Plot
The fifth in a series of Japanese TV movies about a police detective who has adopted the dress and mannerisms of famous American TV detective Columbo, based on a series of novels by popular mystery author Yasuo Uchida.
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Columbo of Shinano 5 - The 'Shinano Country' Murder Case - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yuji Nakamae
Main Cast
- Yasufumi Terawaki
- Yumi Aso
- Katsunori Takahashi
- Yoichi Nukumizu
- Yôsuke Kawamura
- Yukijiro Hotaru
- Toshifumi Muramatsu
- Yuma Ishigaki
- Kaoru Hirata
- Kunihiro Suda
Columbo of Shinano 5 - The 'Shinano Country' Murder Case - FAQs
What is Columbo of Shinano 5 about?
Columbo of Shinano 5 follows a Japanese police detective who channels the iconic style and methods of the beloved American TV sleuth Columbo. It's the fifth entry in a long-running TV movie series adapted from Yasuo Uchida's popular mystery novels, set against the scenic backdrop of Japan's Shinano region.
Is this part of a larger mystery series?
Yes, it's the fifth installment in the Columbo of Shinano TV movie franchise, based on mystery novelist Yasuo Uchida's celebrated Shinano no Colombo series. Each entry features detective Takemura Iwao solving a new case, making it a beloved staple of Japanese mystery television.
Is Columbo of Shinano 5 based on a book?
Yes! The film draws from the mystery novels of Yasuo Uchida, one of Japan's most popular crime fiction authors. Uchida's Shinano no Colombo series inspired the entire TV movie franchise, blending regional Japanese atmosphere with classic whodunit storytelling in the tradition of the original Columbo.
Who plays the lead detective in this film?
Yasufumi Terawaki takes on the lead role as detective Takemura Iwao, the Japanese incarnation of Columbo. He's joined by Yumi Aso as Takemura Youko and Katsunori Takahashi as Okabe Kazuo, with a strong ensemble cast rounding out the story.
Who directed Columbo of Shinano 5?
Yuji Nakamae directed this installment. The film was produced by TBS, one of Japan's major broadcasters, and aired as part of the long-running TV movie series that has kept Japanese mystery fans entertained across multiple entries.
How long is Columbo of Shinano 5?
The film runs for 2 hours (120 minutes), which is a generous runtime for a TV movie and gives the mystery plenty of room to breathe. It's a satisfying length for fans of slow-burn detective stories with layered plots and atmospheric settings.
What makes this Japanese Columbo different from the original?
While the original Columbo is set in Los Angeles, this Japanese version transplants the rumpled, deceptively sharp detective archetype into the Shinano region of Japan. The local culture, landscapes, and social dynamics give the series a distinctly Japanese identity while honoring the spirit of the classic American show.
What are similar films to Columbo of Shinano 5?
If you enjoy this kind of cozy mystery, you might also like Dead Man's Folly (1986), Miss Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage (1986), or A Fugitive from the Past (1965). Fans of Japanese detective stories may also appreciate the Detective Conan film series.
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