Hanzawa Naoki (2013)
The landmark Japanese drama where one banker's refusal to be silenced ignites a war against corporate corruption and institutional betrayal.
Hanzawa Naoki - Series Information
- Original Title: 半沢直樹
- First Air Year: 2013
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: Jun Ikeido
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Content Rating (US): NR
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (54 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 20
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: July 7, 2013 (United States - NR), July 7, 2013 (Mexico - A)
- Networks: TBS
- Alternative Titles: 日曜劇場『半沢直樹』 (JP), 半澤直樹 王牌銀行員 (TW), 半泽直树 (CN), 한자와 나오키 (KR), Hanzawa Naoki (US)
- Production Companies: TBS
- Production Countries: Japan
Hanzawa Naoki - Plot
Hanzawa Naoki works as a loan manager at the Osaka Nishi branch of Tokyo Central Bank. One day, Hanzawa makes a loan contract for 500 million yen with Nishi Osaka Steel Company. Hanzawa didn't want to approve the loan, but he had to due to the branch manager's order. Nishi Osaka Steel Company seems financially stable, but the company actually hides massive amounts of debt through fraudulent accounts. The company is caught. Three months later, Nishi Osaka Steel Company goes bankrupt. The bank's branch manager is Asano. He is an ambitious man and tries to shift the blame to Hanzawa. Hanzawa then attends an inquiry about the loan failure at the bank's headquarters in Tokyo. Hanzawa denies fault and promises to retrieve the 500 million yen loan. He did this because it's the only way for Hanzawa to survive as a banker.
Hanzawa Naoki - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jun Ikeido
Main Cast
- Masato Sakai
- Aya Ueto
- Mitsuhiro Oikawa
- Ainosuke Kataoka
- Kinya Kitaoji
- Teruyuki Kagawa
- Tsurube Shofukutei
- Hidekazu Akai
- Kento Kaku
- Miku Natsume
Writers
- Kentaro Ushio
- Hiroyuki Yatsu
- Ken Tsuchiya
- Junichiro Taniguchi
- Tomoki Kanazawa
Hanzawa Naoki - FAQs
What is Hanzawa Naoki about?
Hanzawa Naoki follows a determined banker at Tokyo Central Bank who is forced into a disastrous 500-million-yen loan deal by his corrupt branch manager. When the company goes bankrupt and blame is shifted onto him, Hanzawa vows to recover the funds and expose the corruption threatening his career.
Who are the main actors in Hanzawa Naoki?
The series stars Masato Sakai as the tenacious banker Naoki Hanzawa, alongside Aya Ueto as his wife Hana, Teruyuki Kagawa as the scheming Akira Owada, Mitsuhiro Oikawa as Shinobu Tomari, and Ainosuke Kataoka as the formidable Shunichi Kurosaki, among others.
Is Hanzawa Naoki based on a true story?
Hanzawa Naoki is not based on a true story. It is adapted from Jun Ikeido's popular novel series, beginning with "Ore-tachi Bubble Nyukogumi" (Our Bubble-Era Recruits). While the corporate banking world depicted is realistic, the characters and specific events are entirely fictional.
How many seasons does Hanzawa Naoki have?
Hanzawa Naoki has two main seasons. Season 1 aired in 2013 with 10 episodes, and Season 2 — subtitled "2020" — aired in 2020 with another 10 episodes. There is also a Season 0 containing 6 special episodes, bringing the total to 20 main series episodes.
Is Hanzawa Naoki worth watching?
Hanzawa Naoki is widely regarded as one of the greatest Japanese dramas ever made. Season 1 broke viewership records in Japan, averaging over 28% ratings. Critics and audiences praise its intense performances, sharp writing, and satisfying revenge narrative, making it essential viewing for fans of workplace dramas.
When did Hanzawa Naoki first air?
Hanzawa Naoki first aired on July 7, 2013, on TBS in Japan. The second season premiered seven years later in July 2020, also on TBS, and concluded in October 2020. The series is now fully ended with both seasons complete.
Did Hanzawa Naoki break any viewership records?
Yes. The Season 1 finale of Hanzawa Naoki achieved a 42.2% household viewership rating in Japan — the highest-rated drama episode in over two decades. Season 2 also performed exceptionally well, with its finale drawing around 32.7% ratings, cementing the series as a landmark in Japanese television history.
What are similar shows to Hanzawa Naoki?
Viewers who enjoyed Hanzawa Naoki often appreciate Legal High (2012) for its sharp wit and underdog protagonist, Quartet (2017) for its layered storytelling, and Midnight Diner (2009) for its distinctly Japanese character drama. Salaryman's Club (2022) also shares the workplace rivalry and determination themes.
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