Top 17 Must-See Japanese Crime Films

1. Eye Detective Higurashi Tabito

Eye Detective Higurashi Tabito is a 2017 release, receiving a perfect 10 for both form and content. The story revolves around Higurashi Tabito, who has lost all four of his senses except for sight, working as a detective relying solely on his remaining vision. He lives with his younger brother Masahiko Yukiji and foster daughter Tei Momoshiro. One day, he meets Yoko Yamakawa, Tei's kindergarten teacher, and helps her find the stolen keychain of her first love. Through this encounter, she discovers his special ability, and their relationship blossoms over time.

2. Mystery of the ¥300 Million Robbery

Mystery of the ¥300 Million Robbery is a Japanese film released in 2016 inspired by the notorious ¥300 million robbery. In 2009, a student named Yamato Narumi and his friend find a man named Akira Shoji stabbed and lying on the road. The man tells Yamato that his father is the culprit in the ¥300 million robbery. Strangely, shortly after, his father disappears. Sadly, three days later, his body is found drowned in Tokyo.

3. The Enigmatic World of Higashino Keigo

The Mysterious World of Higashino Keigo is a 2016 release that captivates audiences with its emotional and psychologically rich storytelling. The series, consisting of 11 episodes, presents 11 separate stories with 11 individual actors. It delves into the life of the beloved Japanese mystery writer through a collection of disjointed tales arranged in random order. Each episode features a different lead actor, showcasing diverse narratives ranging from horror to humanism.

The film premiered in Japan on January 9, 2016, based on the homonymous novel by Japanese idol Shigeaki Kato.

Pink and Gray is a gripping movie that takes the audience from sympathy to terror. It portrays the intertwined success and failure of two close friends. One rises to fame while the other silently falters. Rengo Shiraki, a renowned Japanese actor, unexpectedly passes away, leaving behind six farewell letters. Daiki Kawata, after the death of his close friend Rengo, suddenly becomes famous everywhere.

And Then There Were None is a 2016 released series with 5 episodes that captivates viewers with the harsh life of the protagonist. The story revolves around Shinichi Todo, a smart, handsome, successful man loved by everyone. Everything would have been smooth if one day he wasn't called in by the HR department for questioning because someone with the same identity as him has been arrested. The film features a stellar cast including Tatsuya Fujiwara, Tetsuji Tamayama, Fumi Nikaido, Hiroki Konno, Hiromi...

The Destiny Notebook is a sci-fi crime film. The story follows a university student, Yagami Raito, who one day receives a notebook of destiny. The death note awakens his sense of justice and his genius. L (Kento Yamazaki) is a famous private detective. L appears before Yagami like a lightning bolt. L asserts that Kira is a villain and decides to capture Kira. At that time, N (Mio Yuki) possesses a hidden beauty but is an extremely dangerous presence. Let's watch the movie together.

The Disease Detectives is a Japanese crime and horror film rated 10 points. The movie revolves around Dr. Tameyori Eisuke, a mutant with extraordinary abilities. By just looking at patients, he can accurately diagnose their illnesses. After his wife's death, he realizes the wasteful and inhumane nature of selling futile medicines. He decides to quit his job at a large hospital and opens a clinic in a cozy neighborhood. His abilities not only help him diagnose diseases but also identify criminals who have committed, are committing, or are about to commit crimes (through their criminal signs that only he can see). Despite being unintentional, being kind-hearted, he joins forces with Inspector Hayase Junichiro to solve cases.

The movie stars Hidetoshi Nishijima, Aoi Nakamura, Atsushi Ito, Hideaki Ito, Anna Ishibashi...

The Day of Death is a psychological thriller film that has captivated the youth in Japan and across Asia since its release. The film tells the story of a group of friends led by Yuta Shino, who organize a summer mountain retreat in western Japan to relax after months of exhausting studies. What seems like a relaxing vacation quickly turns into a nightmare after the death of a student from their school is discovered.

In the subsequent episodes of the film, we will see all suspicions directed towards Shino's group. To dispel the suspicion, Yuta Shino and his friends begin to investigate the cause and the perpetrator of the murder of the new student. This is an intriguing detective film that promises to provide viewers with exciting experiences. We hope you will enjoy and embrace this film.

The First-Year Case File tells the story of Hajime and his group of friends at the art school. Miyuki, a beautiful girl and also one of Hajime's group members, is invited by the film crew to play the lead role in the film 'Scorpion's Curse.' However, there's always a rumor surrounding this film that anyone involved will meet a tragic end. Therefore, Hajime and his group decide to investigate. Here, he also learns interesting truths from the director to the film crew.

The gruesome deaths cause panic and fear. What is the truth behind it? What is Kurasama hiding? What will Hajime do to successfully solve the case?

The film follows the story of Enomoto Kei, an employee of a major security company but also an eccentric person with a passion for crime prevention, particularly an obsession with locks and keys.

Every day, Kei is in the company workshop researching security measures, boasting deep knowledge of lock picking. He boldly claims that there's no lock he can't open. Once, lawyer Yunko asks Kei to help solve a case involving a locked glass room in a mansion with a conclusion of suicide. With his skill and intelligence, Kei unravels the mystery of that tricky room.

Death Transporter tells the story of two journalists, Takehara and Aki Tsumura, assigned to monitor retired official Shohei Okase, recently released from prison for embezzling 2 billion Yen.

Unfortunately, while tracking Shohei Okase to the racehorse training center, Takehara and Tsumura lose track of him. When they finally trace Shohei Okase's whereabouts, he is nothing but a lifeless body in Katsuura Cemetery, Chiba Prefecture. He has been strangled to death. The editor-in-chief suspects that Shohei was hiding the money before his death, so they decide to return to the racehorse training center to investigate. They discover that the owner of the center is Ryuzo Nishida and the horse's owner is politician Torahei Tateyama. Their suspicions deepen when their superiors order them to stop investigating. Because of this, Takehara and Aki Tsumura decide to secretly uncover the truth.

Hotel Camouflage revolves around three consecutive murders in Tokyo where the crime scenes always leave behind numbers hinting at the next crime location. Faced with the audacity of the perpetrator, a large-scale investigation is launched, with detective Kosuke Nitta assigned as the lead investigator. Through observation, investigation, and evidence collection, he believes that the next crime will occur at the Kuroteshia Hotel (Tokyo).

To apprehend the killer in time, Kosuke Nitta infiltrates the Kuroteshia Hotel, quietly monitoring the case's developments from the front desk. However, his investigative activities are hindered by Naomi Yamagishi, who directly trains him in his new role. While Kosuke Nitta focuses on catching the murderer, Naomi Yamagishi prioritizes the safety of the hotel guests. But as they resolve their differences, they begin to trust each other and work together to uncover the killer...

Screams in the Loveless Forest: Deep Cut tells the story of a captivating con artist and an ambitious film crew dissecting the lives of two wounded women.

The plot revolves around Mitsuko and Taeko mourning in different ways after the death of their beloved classmate. Subsequently, the 'future' film crew and their friend - Shin - approach both of them. Taeko shares her rebellious past and the danger of Murata, inspiring a new film concept. Meanwhile, Mitsuko is enchanted by him. In 1985, the girls become distraught after Eiko's death and decide to commit suicide together. In 1995, Murata continues his deceit, and film production commences. The murders persist as the film crew tries to warn Mitsuko, who refuses to acknowledge the truth. Murata's dark side is revealed as he becomes involved in the film. The forest tale takes a darker turn. Murata manipulates Shin and the boys by introducing violence into the film, causing division and more sinister events. Taeko escapes from the lakeside house. Determined to complete his film, Murata moves into the Ozawa house with the assistance of Mitsuko, Shin, and a new film crew. Mitsuko is hospitalized while Ami collapses. In their excitement, Murata and Shin aim to complete both of their films and head to the final shooting location.

The Forest of Love is a crime thriller, horror-infused masterpiece by the versatile director Sono Sion. The film explores the intricate relationships between its characters, the interconnection of events, and vividly portrays a society ravaged by the most appalling evils.

The Forest of Love follows a group of cheerful single men with a shared ambition to create a 'life-defining' film that clinched the PIA Film Festival Award. Pursuing this goal leads Shin's friends (Mitsushima Shinnosuke) to encounter two girls, Taeko (Hinami Kyoko) and Mitsuko (Kamataki Eri). Serendipitously, the young men uncover the complicated past relationship between Taeko and Mitsuko, along with the charismatic womanizer Murata Joe (Shiina Kippei) who could help them produce a blockbuster film. Thus, they gather together, aiming to fulfill their ultimate purpose of completing a film. It's from this point onward that the horrifying tale unfolds.

The movie is an adaptation of the novel 'Rojin Koin' by authors Suzuki Daisuke and directed by Kobayashi Yuki.

'Scams' follows the story of Kusano Seijitsu: losing his job due to the company's bankruptcy, he faces financial distress because of his father's medical bills and student loans. In desperation, Kusano resorts to becoming a phone scammer, preying on the trust of elderly people to steal money. Under pressure to expand operations, Kanbe appoints Makoto to lead the team. Despite the sky-high monthly targets, Makoto relishes his new position. After a dangerous encounter with Yamada, Makoto realizes he's sunk too deep and can't turn back. Suspicions mount, and his mother interrogates him. Exhausted from caring for the elderly in his caregiving job, Sachiko decides to assist Makoto's wrongdoing by providing him with customer data. Fearing a colleague linked to the thefts targeting customers on Sachiko's list, Makoto decides to stop after meeting his quota. Upon discovering Seimiya's involvement in the thefts, Dokugawa accuses Makoto as an accomplice.

The series Homicide Investigation Team revolves around the Third Investigative Division of the Tokyo Police Department, specialized in handling thieves, who constitute up to 70% of the total criminals. On Takeda Akiho's first day at the Third Investigative Division, a robbery occurs at a jewelry store in Shibuya. Initially aiming for the First Investigative Division, Akiho shows eagerness but is warned by her boss Ino that robbery cases fall under the jurisdiction of the First Division. However, when she secretly leaves the office to visit the crime scene, she encounters a man with sharp eyes standing among the curious crowd. That man is none other than Akiho's superior, Hagio Shuichi. Hagio is a seasoned detective of the Third Investigative Division. Akiho becomes his partner and is taught by him, an expert in investigating these theft cases.

The Solomon Syndrome portrays a snowy Christmas morning where the body of a 14-year-old boy falls from the high school rooftop, discovered by a classmate. Police conclude it as a suicide, accepted by the victim's parents. However, rumors of the boy's death spread swiftly. An anonymous letter is sent to the police, claiming to be a witness to the incident and accusing it as a murder committed by three delinquent male students from the same school. To protect the students, the police suppress the letter, but a journalist discovers it. Chaos ensues. Another student meets a fatal accident. The school community is in turmoil, deciding to conduct a trial to uncover the truth.

Amidst the storm of catastrophe looming over Joto High School, perhaps no one stands in the eye of the storm but its students. Positioned as a suspect, all suspicions and judgments press down on Shunji, the ringleader of bullying, isolating him, relentlessly forcing him to prove his innocence in desperation. And Juri, the introspective companion, turns every pain and fear into the sole weapon to protect herself, as no one stands by her side.

To pull her friends out of the abyss of disaster, Ryoko never once wavers in her determination to seek the truth. Despite fierce opposition from those around her, her gaze remains unwavering. This is perhaps a true 'struggle' both literally and metaphorically, as throughout the film, the characters continuously endure both physical and emotional pain. But then, as the trial concludes, what will they gain? The truth, justice, or something else? And does the pain truly end here?