Assistant Inspector: Daimajin


Assistant Inspector: Daimajin is a 2023 Japanese eight-episode detective television series based on the manga of the same name. Six episodes were directed by Takashi Miike and two episodes were directed by Ryūsuke Kurahashi. It originally aired from July 7 to September 1, 2023.
𝕏 DaimajinExIG daimajinex

Synopsis

Ace inspector Jin Daiba, known as Daimajin, uses extrajudicial methods to punish criminals who are beyond the reach of the law and seemingly untouchable. He is put in a special investigation unit that discovers criminal activity deep within the police force and the government itself, even uncovering a secret society.

Cast

Production

The series is based on the manga series Keibuho Daimajin by Richard Wu and Kōji Konō. The series reunited Toma Ikuta and Osamu Mukai, who had previously worked together on the 2008 series Honey and Clover.
Filming took place in Tokyo, Japan. The main theme song of the series is "Ookami to Suisei" by Kanjani Eight. The opening theme is performed by Atarashii Gakko!.
In an interview with Cinemore about the series, Miike stated, "It was a drama adaptation of an original work, but it wasn't a movie, a V-cinema, or even a TV series, so it felt somehow freer. This time, the complete version was streamed online, which is different from previous catch-up streaming. TV dramas are exploring different directions, and I thought this was part of that experiment. It had a nostalgic feel to it. The way it hits you head-on reminded me of the works of Kajiwara Ikki, who is of my generation, and it was easy to read. I enjoyed reading it, but I think it would be quite difficult to adapt it into a drama."
Discussing his own performance, star Toma Ikuta said, "I want to convey the suppressed energy and the ferocity that seems ready to break free of chains and burst forth. I want to create a work that makes people think, 'Wow, it's OK to do this on TV!' and get their blood pumping."
Discussing his own performance, Osamu Mukai said, "When I thought about the fact that Daiba and Heian are two completely different types of people on the same screen, I had to look at Ikuta's acting and do something different. Conversely, I felt that Heian might be able to make up for what Daiba can't, so rather than creating the role alone, I felt it was better to add and subtract on the spot each time."

Broadcast

The opening scene of the first episode of the series, lasting 4 minutes and 40 seconds and culminating in Daiba's killing of Amo Dai, was released in advance on TV Asahi's YouTube channel on July 3, 2023.
The series was broadcast on TV Asahi on Fridays at 23:15 from July 7 to September 1, 2023. Lead actor Toma Ikuta gave a live commentary via Instagram during the broadcast of the first episode.
At the same time, the online streaming service Telasa streamed Detective Daimajin Complete Edition, which included unreleased scenes and behind-the-scenes footage. Telasa also streamed a conversation between lead actor Toma Ikuta and director Takashi Miike titled "Detective Daimajin Special Interview" on July 5, 2023, ahead of the broadcast of the series.

Viewership

The first episode reached number one on TVer's drama rankings within two days of its release, and became the fastest Friday-night drama to reach 1 million views.

Reception

In a review for the website Asian Movie Pulse, reviewer Panos Kotzathanasis wrote, "Ultimately, 'Inspector Daimajin' is not without flaws. Its comedic tone and far-fetched script sometimes undermine its narrative weight, while the overabundance of characters and twists risks overwhelming the story. Nevertheless, the appealing protagonists, entertaining action, and intriguing moral dilemmas keep it engaging. In the end, it is a drama that fans of Miike and crime comedies will find highly enjoyable."
Reviewing the first episode, a reviewer for realsound.com wrote, "The opening scene of the first episode, in which Daiba carries out the murder of Amano with the words 'perfect crime, a success', symbolizes Daiba as a dark hero who 'defeats evil with evil'. However, what made the biggest impression on me in this first episode was the scene in which Heian Saimon points at Daiba and says, 'Detective Daimajin. You're a murderer!' The camera moves from Heian's fingertip to Daiba's line of sight, and his eyes slowly become cloudy. His public face as a detective inspector and his private face as he personally passes down judgment. The transitions and different acting styles are the charm of this work, and I had a feeling that this would be a new side of Ikuta Toma."