Hustlin Boy (Japanese TV Series) Release Date and Overview

asianwikiSeptember 20, 2024

Hustlin Boy (Japanese: ハスリンボーイ) is an upcoming Japanese live-action drama series based on the manga of the same name written by Shinya Kusaka and illustrated by Yuki Honda. The drama, directed by Kosuke Suzuki, will air on WOWOW and consist of 8 episodes, premiering in the fall of 2024.

Premise

The series follows Tamotsu Kubota, a struggling university student burdened with debt. Leading an uneventful life, he spends most of his time doing part-time jobs. In a desperate attempt to reduce his debt, Tamotsu falls victim to a scam, plunging him into an even worse financial crisis. Just as his situation worsens, he meets a criminal tools dealer who saves him from further peril. The two begin working together in the criminal underworld of Ikebukuro, a dangerous area controlled by three powerful groups: the Jinbokai yakuza group, the Gozugumi yakuza group, and the Taiga group, which specializes in bank transfer frauds. Amidst this, a mysterious duo also emerges, complicating the already volatile criminal environment.

Cast

  • Shotaro Mamiya as Tamotsu Kubota, a debt-ridden university student who gets involved in Ikebukuro’s criminal world.

Production

  • Director: Kosuke Suzuki
  • Writers: Shinya Kusaka (manga), Yuki Honda (manga), Kazuhisa Kodera, Natsumi Kakesu
  • Network: WOWOW
  • Episodes: 8
  • Release Date: Fall 2024
  • Language: Japanese
  • Country: Japan

Background

The drama is adapted from the manga series Hustlin Boy, which was serialized from May 2018 to June 2019 in Big Comic Spirits. The live-action adaptation brings the gritty world of Ikebukuro’s underground criminal activity to life, focusing on the complex relationships and power struggles among rival gangs.

Notes

  • The series explores themes of survival, crime, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals caught in dire circumstances. It also depicts the impact of financial burdens on youth and the lengths people go to in order to escape their predicaments.

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