Kaiji (2007)
A desperate drifter battles debt and death in a labyrinth of illegal gambling, mind games, and ruthless deception.
Kaiji - Series Information
- Original Title: 逆境無頼カイジ
- First Air Year: 2007
- Last Air Year: 2011
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 23 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 52
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 3, 2007 (United States - TV-MA), October 3, 2007 (Canada - 14+), October 3, 2007 (Australia - MA 15+), October 3, 2007 (Brazil - 16), October 3, 2007 (Mexico - B-15), October 3, 2007 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Nippon TV
- Alternative Titles: Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji (US), 赌博默示录 (CN), gyakkyou burai kaiji (JP), 역경무뢰 카이지 (KR), كايجي (SA)
- Production Companies: Madhouse
- Production Countries: Japan
Kaiji - Plot
Kaiji Itou is a good-for-nothing loiterer who spends his days drinking beer and stealing hubcaps—that is, until he ends up being tricked by his former co-worker. Unable to suddenly repay his friend's huge debt all by himself, Kaiji is offered a shady deal to participate in an illegal underground gamble on a cruise ship. This turns out to be nothing more than the beginning of his new life of hell—thrown headlong into a life-threatening roller coaster of mind games, cheating, and deceit.
Where to Watch Kaiji
Looking for where to watch Kaiji?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Kaiji - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Masato Hagiwara
- Fumihiko Tachiki
- Youichi Nishijima
- Yukitoshi Tokumoto
- Kunihiro Kawamoto
- Nobuaki Kanemitsu
- Masane Tsukayama
- Yuichi Nakamura
- Ichitaro Ai
- Masato Kaji
Writers
- Mitsutaka Hirota
- Kazuyuki Fudeyasu
Kaiji - FAQs
Where can you stream Kaiji online?
Kaiji is available to stream on Crunchyroll, including through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. It is also accessible via the Hidive Amazon Channel and can be purchased on Amazon Video for on-demand viewing. Availability may vary by region.
Is Kaiji based on a manga series?
Yes, Kaiji is directly adapted from the manga series by Nobuyuki Fukumoto, originally published in 1996. The manga, known as Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji, is a celebrated seinen title praised for its intense psychological storytelling and high-stakes gambling scenarios.
What is Kaiji the anime about?
Kaiji follows Kaiji Itou, a directionless young man who is tricked into bearing a massive debt and forced onto an illegal gambling ship. The series is a psychological thriller centered on mind games, deception, and survival under extreme pressure, earning praise for its tension and moral depth.
How many seasons and episodes does Kaiji have?
Kaiji consists of two seasons and 52 episodes in total. Season 1, titled Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, contains 26 episodes, and Season 2, titled Kaiji: Against All Rules, also contains 26 episodes. Both seasons aired on Nippon TV in Japan.
Who voices the main character in Kaiji?
Masato Hagiwara provides the voice of the protagonist Kaiji Itou in the anime. Fumihiko Tachiki serves as the narrator, whose distinctive delivery became iconic. The supporting cast includes Masane Tsukayama as the imposing antagonist Hyodo and Hakuryu as the calculating Tonegawa.
When did Kaiji first air?
Kaiji first aired on October 3, 2007, on Nippon TV in Japan. The series ran until 2011 across its two seasons. It holds a TV-MA content rating in the United States, reflecting its mature themes of debt, desperation, and psychological manipulation.
Is Kaiji worth watching for non-manga readers?
Absolutely. Kaiji is widely regarded as one of the finest psychological anime series ever produced, accessible to viewers with no prior knowledge of the manga. Its nail-biting tension, morally complex characters, and sharp social commentary on debt and inequality resonate strongly with general audiences.
What anime series are similar to Kaiji?
Viewers who enjoy Kaiji often recommend One Outs (2008) and Akagi (2005) as the closest thematic matches, both featuring high-stakes psychological battles. Fate/Zero (2011), Hunter x Hunter (2011), and Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011) also share Kaiji's intense, subversive storytelling approach.
More About Kaiji
Explore further details about Kaiji on these authoritative databases.