Koshonin (2008 TV Series)
Koshonin (Japanese: 交渉人), known internationally as The Negotiator, is a Japanese television drama series that aired on TV Asahi in 2008. The series focuses on the operations of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), a specialized police unit tasked with managing high-stakes criminal scenarios, including kidnappings, hostage crises, and corporate extortion.
Premise and Characters
The narrative centers on Reiko Usagi, portrayed by Ryoko Yonekura, who becomes the first female officer to join the SIT. Usagi faces significant professional challenges within the male-dominated environment of the unit. Throughout the series, she earns the trust and respect of her colleagues through her analytical approach to crisis management and her ability to maintain composure during volatile negotiations.
Production and Broadcast
The series was written by Toshio Terada and directed by Hidetomo Matsuda, Genta Sato, and Naomi Tamura. It consisted of eight episodes and was broadcast on TV Asahi from January 10 to February 28, 2008, in the 21:00–21:54 time slot. The series achieved a weekly average viewership rating of 13.4% in the Kanto region.
Episode Ratings
| Episode | Broadcast Date | Kanto Region Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 10, 2008 | 16.7% |
| 2 | January 17, 2008 | 13.8% |
| 3 | January 24, 2008 | 14.1% |
| 4 | January 31, 2008 | 13.2% |
| 5 | February 7, 2008 | 14.0% |
| 6 | February 14, 2008 | 12.7% |
| 7 | February 21, 2008 | 9.6% |
| 8 | February 28, 2008 | 13.2% |
Franchise
The success of the 2008 series led to the development of a broader franchise, including a television special, a second season, and a feature film:
- The Negotiator SP (2009)
- The Negotiator 2 (2009)
- The Negotiator The Movie (2010)