Hissatsu Series (1972)
Japan's legendary long-running Jidaigeki assassin drama, spanning 31 seasons, 790 episodes, and nearly four decades of prime-time television on TV Asahi.
Hissatsu Series - Series Information
- Original Title: 必殺シリーズ
- First Air Year: 1972
- Last Air Year: 2009
- Created by: Shotaro Ikenami
- Type: TV Series
- Number of Seasons: 31
- Number of Episodes: 790
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: TV Asahi
- Alternative Titles: Samurai Punisher (US)
Hissatsu Series - Plot
The Hissatsu series is a long-running prime-time popular television Jidaigeki series about assassins in Japan. Hissatsu Shikakenin is based on Shōtarō Ikenami's novel Shiokinin Fujieda Baian, but its sequels are only inspired by it.
Where to Watch Hissatsu Series
Looking for where to watch Hissatsu Series?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Hissatsu Series - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Shotaro Ikenami
Hissatsu Series - FAQs
Where can you stream the Hissatsu Series online?
Streaming availability for the Hissatsu Series is limited outside Japan due to its age and regional licensing. JustWatch lists available viewing options for the series. Fans of classic Japanese Jidaigeki drama may find select seasons or films through niche streaming platforms specializing in Asian or Japanese content.
How many seasons and episodes does Hissatsu Series have?
The Hissatsu Series spans 31 seasons and a remarkable 790 episodes in total. It began in 1972 and ran through 2009, making it one of the longest-running Jidaigeki drama franchises in Japanese television history, airing on TV Asahi.
Is Hissatsu Series based on a true story or novel?
The first season, Hissatsu Shikakenin, is directly based on Shotaro Ikenami's novel Shiokinin Fujieda Baian. Subsequent seasons are inspired by the original work rather than direct adaptations, expanding the franchise with new characters and storylines while retaining the assassin-for-hire premise.
What is the Hissatsu Series about?
The Hissatsu Series is a long-running Japanese Jidaigeki (period drama) following assassins operating in feudal Japan. Ordinary citizens by day and lethal hired killers by night, the protagonists target criminals who escape conventional justice, blending moral ambiguity with action-driven storytelling across its many seasons.
When did the Hissatsu Series first air?
The Hissatsu Series first aired in 1972 on TV Asahi in Japan. The franchise continued for nearly four decades, with its final season, Hissatsu Shigotonin 2009, airing in 2009. The series is considered a cornerstone of Japanese prime-time period drama television.
What network airs the Hissatsu Series in Japan?
The Hissatsu Series aired on TV Asahi, one of Japan's major commercial television networks. The franchise was a flagship prime-time Jidaigeki production for the network, running from 1972 through 2009 across 31 distinct seasons and numerous spin-off installments.
Who created the Hissatsu Series?
The Hissatsu Series was created by Shotaro Ikenami, a celebrated Japanese author renowned for his Jidaigeki fiction. The first season was adapted from his novel Shiokinin Fujieda Baian, and his creative vision shaped the moral tone and stylistic identity of the entire franchise.
What are shows similar to the Hissatsu Series?
Viewers who enjoy the Hissatsu Series may also appreciate Gourmet Detective Goro Akechi, Project Thouser, Captured Hospital, Percent, and Pararescue Jumper. These Japanese series share elements of genre drama, ensemble casts, and episodic storytelling that fans of classic Japanese television tend to enjoy.
More About Hissatsu Series
Explore further details about the Hissatsu Series through these authoritative external resources.