Hero (2014 Japanese TV Series)

Hero is a Japanese television drama series that aired on Fuji TV from July 14 to September 22, 2014. It serves as a continuation of the long-running Hero franchise, which began with a popular series in 2001. The 2014 production consists of 11 episodes and follows the professional life of Kohei Kuryu, a prosecutor known for his unconventional methods.

Promotional image for the 2014 Hero drama — Promotional visual for the 2014 series.

Plot

The story centers on Kohei Kuryu (played by Takuya Kimura), a prosecutor at the Josai branch of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. Unlike his peers, Kuryu maintains a unique approach to his work, often visiting crime scenes personally to investigate evidence firsthand. His methods remain consistent with his characterization established in earlier installments of the franchise. The series also introduces Chika Asagi (Keiko Kitagawa), an assistant officer who works alongside Kuryu and undergoes significant personal and professional growth through their collaboration.

Takuya Kimura as Kohei Kuryu — Takuya Kimura reprises his role as Kohei Kuryu.

Production

The series was directed by Masayuki Suzuki, Shin Hirano, and Hiro Kanai, with the screenplay written by Yasushi Fukuda. Filming for the production officially commenced on April 20, 2014. The show maintained a weekly broadcast schedule on Mondays from 21:00 to 21:54.

Cast

The series features a large ensemble cast, including returning actors from the franchise and new additions.

Takuya Kimura as Kohei Kuryu
Keiko Kitagawa as Chika Asagi
Tetta Sugimoto as Masashi Tamura
Gaku Hamada as Daisuke Uno
Bokuzo Masana as Syuuji Ido
Yo Yoshida as Reiko Baba
Yutaka Matsushige as Kenzaburo Kawajiri
Fumiyo Kohinata as Takayuki Suetsugu
Takuzo Kadono as Yutaka Ushimaru

Keiko Kitagawa as Chika Asagi — Keiko Kitagawa portrays Chika Asagi.

Reception

The 2014 series achieved a weekly average television rating of 21.3% during its broadcast run in Japan.