Hokaben: Case Files of a Rookie Lawyer

Hokaben (Japanese: ホカベン) is a Japanese television drama series that aired on NTV from April 16 to June 18, 2008. The series focuses on the legal profession, specifically exploring the contrast between idealism and the practical realities of the justice system.

Plot

The story follows Akari Domoto, played by Aya Ueto, a rookie attorney who enters the legal field with a strong desire to protect the vulnerable. She is assigned to the pro bono department of a large law firm, a division created to fulfill the firm's social service obligations. There, she works under Tadashi Sugisaki, portrayed by Kazuki Kitamura, a seasoned attorney who has become cynical and detached from his work. While Akari remains committed to the belief that the law exists to protect the weak, Sugisaki operates under the conviction that the legal system is often limited and can be used as a weapon. The series depicts their professional relationship as they navigate various cases and confront the harsh realities of legal practice.

Production and Broadcast

The series was directed by Noriyoshi Sakuma and Kenji Ikeda. The screenplay was written by Takehiko Hata, Hideya Hamada, and Kumiko Aso, based on a novel by Hiroyuki Nakajima. The show consisted of 10 episodes and was broadcast in the 22:00–22:54 time slot.

Cast

The main cast includes:

• Aya Ueto as Akari Domoto
• Kazuki Kitamura as Tadashi Sugisaki
• Shigeaki Kato as Riichiro Kase
• Naho Toda as Shiori Kuraki
• Eisuke Sasai as Masahito Zaitsu
• Megumi Nakayama as Mizuho Yoshikawa
• Ryo as Reiko Kudo
• Kazuko Kato as Miyoko Domoto
• Ren Osugi as Tetsuo Morioka