TV series
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.
Availability
Furuhata Ninzaburo premiered April 13, 1994. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
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.
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Episode 1
A successful lawyer kills his mistress and frames Shintaro Imaizumi for the murder. When the lawyer convinces Shintaro to plead guilty, Furuhata becomes suspicious.
Guest stars Sanma Akashiya
Episode 2
A hated, strict headmistress of an all-girls priory school murders a liberal teacher beloved by all the students. In order to catch her, Furuhata will have to play by her rules.
Guest stars Yasuko Sawaguchi
Episode 3
A devious doctor manipulates a mystery writer into staging his own murder to look like a suicide. The doctor is surprisingly good at all kinds of games (darts, pool, chess etc.) but he is no match for Furuhata when it comes to mind games.
Guest stars Masao Kusakari
Episode 4
Shintaro is trapped on a Ferris wheel with a bomb on board and if the amusement park doesn't pay the bomber until noon, it will go off. His only other hope is a young explosives expert whom Furuhata suspects is the bomber.
Guest stars Takuya Kimura
Episode 5
Furuhata's favorite screenwriter murders her domineering sister with an unknown murder weapon. In order to find the weapon and prove her guilt, Furuhata makes Shintaro become the old woman's servant.
Guest stars Haruko Katō
Episode 6
While competing on a TV game show, Furuhata investigates the murder of a costumer found dead in a locked room. He begins suspecting that the killer is none other than the undefeated quiz show champion.
Guest stars Toshiaki Karasawa
Episode 7
A scheming antique dealer murders an old potter who was blackmailing him but his accomplice's thoughtless actions jeopardize his plan.
Guest stars Tojuro Sawamura
Episode 8
A highly respected magician falls in love with his much younger assistant and murders her boyfriend in front of a captive audience which just so happens to include Furuhata and Shintaro.
Guest stars Shingo Yamashiro
Episode 9
A magazine editor concocts and executes the perfect murder in the snowy hills around Tokyo only to then encounter an acquaintance. He kills him too but his streak of bad luck has only just begun.
Guest stars Morio Kazama
Episode 10
During a long bus trip to New York, a Japanese woman sitting next to Furuhata challenges him to a game. She will tell him about the perfect murder she committed and see if he is able to figure out how she got away.
Guest stars Honami Suzuki
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Available now in United States
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Masakazu Tamura古畑任三郎
Masahiko Nishimura今泉慎太郎
Takashi Kobayashi向島音吉
Masanori Ishii西園寺守
Mao Daichi
Yasuko Sawaguchi
Masao Kusakari
Toshiaki Karasawa
Fuji TVJapan
Fuji Television NetworkJapan
