Trailer unavailable

Series · 1994 – 2006 · Drama

Furuhata Ninzaburo

★8.8 1994 – 2006 4 Seasons Koki Mitani TV-MA

Furuhata Ninzaburō is a Japanese television series that ran periodically on Fuji Television from 1994 until its final episodes in 2006. It was written by Japanese playwright Kōki Mitani and is often referred to as the Japanese version of Columbo. The series is a police detective drama starring actor Masakazu Tamura as Furuhata Ninzaburo and Masahiko Nishimura as his stereotypically bumbling sidekick, Shintaro Imaizumi. The program aired weekly and featured a guest villain each time, usually a famous talent in Japan. Pop-stars like SMAP, television hosts like Sanma Akashiya and even sports figures like Ichiro Suzuki have been featured on this program. It was one of the most popular television dramas in the history of Japanese television, having spawned several seasons and TV specials.

Seasons & episodes

4 seasons · 36 episodes

Message from the Dead

Episode 01

Message from the Dead

Apr 13, 1994 · 47 min

On a dark and stormy night, Chinami kills her business partner in her remote manor house in the hills. Then the doorbell rings. As luck would have it, it's none other than Inspector Furuhata seeking refuge from the rain.

The Moving Corpse

Episode 02

The Moving Corpse

Apr 20, 1994 · 47 min

After killing a woman in a hit and run, a famous Kabuki actor decides to kill the only witness, a theatre security guard, and stage it to look like an accidental fall. Only Furuhata Ninazburo is not convinced.

The Laughing Corpse

Episode 03

The Laughing Corpse

Apr 27, 1994 · 60 min

Furuhata is called to a scene where a woman has just killed a burglar but a chicken in the oven and a cigarette in the bin make the wily inspector suspicious.

The Killing Fax

Episode 04

The Killing Fax

May 4, 1994 · 60 min

An action-packed night is in store for the police department after a famous writer's wife is kidnapped and he is tasked with delivering the money by the fax-using kidnapper. However, a grammatical question niggles at Furuhata.

The Dirty King

Episode 05

The Dirty King

May 11, 1994 · 60 min

Shogi 8-dan Yonezawa is no match for Furuhata Ninzaburo after murdering the overseer at the Ryujin Tournament.

The Piano Lesson

Episode 06

The Piano Lesson

May 18, 1994 · 60 min

Furuhata Ninzaburô gets involved in the drama surrounding an elite musical academy when he begins suspecting a fierce piano teacher of murdering the school's headmaster.

Rehearsal for Murder

Episode 07

Rehearsal for Murder

May 25, 1994 · 60 min

During a rehearsal, a beloved samurai movie star kills the despised studio executive. Was it an accident or murder? Furuhata Ninzaburo investigates.

Murder Express

Episode 08

Murder Express

Jun 1, 1994 · 60 min

A trip should be enjoyable but Dr Nakagawa's trip was ruined when he realized he was being tailed by his wife's private eye. He decides to kill the nosy gumshoe on the train home but unfortunately for him, Furuhata Ninzaburo is on board.

Broadcast Murder

Episode 09

Broadcast Murder

Jun 8, 1994 · 60 min

During a live broadcast, a TV psychic desperately in need of validation pretends to find a corpse of a man he himself had killed earlier. The only person in the audience not convinced is Inspector Furuhata.

The Contradictory Corpse

Episode 10

The Contradictory Corpse

Jun 15, 1994 · 60 min

A politician's secretary murders his boss and the boss' mistress staging the scene to look like a murder-suicide. However, one of his victims survives and is taken to the hospital for recovery.

Sayonara DJ

Episode 11

Sayonara DJ

Jun 22, 1994 · 60 min

Furuhata and Shintaro are assigned to bodyguard a radio DJ who's been receiving threatening messages. However, the DJ turns out to be the killer with a devious plan and a watertight alibi.

The Final Greeting

Episode 12

The Final Greeting

Jun 29, 1994 · 60 min

What happens when the killer you are hunting is your superior? Furuhata is about to find out after he begins suspecting the legendary Superintendent Kogure of murdering the man who killed his daughter.

About the series

Furuhata Ninzaburo poster
Audience score
★ 8.8 /10

based on 25 votes

Synopsis

Furuhata Ninzaburō is a Japanese television series that ran periodically on Fuji Television from 1994 until its final episodes in 2006. It was written by Japanese playwright Kōki Mitani and is often referred to as the Japanese version of Columbo. The series is a police detective drama starring actor Masakazu Tamura as Furuhata Ninzaburo and Masahiko Nishimura as his stereotypically bumbling sidekick, Shintaro Imaizumi. The program aired weekly and featured a guest villain each time, usually a famous talent in Japan. Pop-stars like SMAP, television hosts like Sanma Akashiya and even sports figures like Ichiro Suzuki have been featured on this program. It was one of the most popular television dramas in the history of Japanese television, having spawned several seasons and TV specials.

DramaCrime

Cast

4 principal cast

Masakazu Tamura

Masakazu Tamura

古畑任三郎

Masahiko Nishimura

Masahiko Nishimura

今泉慎太郎

Takashi Kobayashi

Takashi Kobayashi

向島音吉

Masanori Ishii

Masanori Ishii

西園寺守

Where to watch Furuhata Ninzaburo

Furuhata Ninzaburo is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The drama from Koki Mitani has 4 seasons and 36 total episodes, rated 8.8/10 by 25 viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does Furuhata Ninzaburo have?

Furuhata Ninzaburo has 4 seasons with 36 episodes in total.

Is Furuhata Ninzaburo still on the air?

Furuhata Ninzaburo has ended and is no longer in production.

What network airs Furuhata Ninzaburo?

Furuhata Ninzaburo airs on Fuji TV.

When did Furuhata Ninzaburo first air?

Furuhata Ninzaburo first aired on April 13, 1994.

More like this

Similar series

See all →
Gap Dong

Gap Dong

2014

The Widower

The Widower

2014

The Lies Within

The Lies Within

2019

Woodpecker Detective's Office

Woodpecker Detective's Office

2020

My Mad Fat Diary

My Mad Fat Diary

2013

Fargo

Fargo

2014

Witches of East End

Witches of East End

2013

The Breakthrough

The Breakthrough

2025

The Conspirators

The Conspirators

2016

Blackpool

Blackpool

2004

Stalker

Stalker

2014

Surface

Surface

2022

Witch Hunter Robin

Witch Hunter Robin

2002

The Worst of Evil

The Worst of Evil

2023

A Nero Wolfe Mystery

A Nero Wolfe Mystery

2001

Father Dowling Mysteries

Father Dowling Mysteries

1989

Nero Wolfe

Nero Wolfe

2012

Police University

Police University

2021

When It Rains, It Pours

When It Rains, It Pours

2025

Columbo

Columbo

1971