Gannibal

After a public incident that upends his career, police officer Daigo Agawa moves his wife and daughter to Kuge, a far-off mountain village, hoping for a quieter life. The community seems remote and routine, but there are odd absences in its recent history, including a missing officer who once served there. When an elderly woman's corpse turns up, the official story points to a bear attack, yet Daigo spots a bite mark that looks human. That small inconsistency pulls him deeper into local tensions and secrets, and he has to weigh the safety of his family against questions that people in town would rather leave alone.

Released in 2022, the series was directed by Takashi Sano and created by Masaaki Ninomiya, Shinzo Katayama, and Takamasa Oe, with Yuya Yagira leading a cast that includes Show Kasamatsu and Riho Yoshioka.

It wasn't a headline awards winner internationally, but reviewers and industry watchers noted standout performances, especially Yuya Yagira's. The show earned attention in Japan among critics who followed new crime dramas, even if it didn't sweep major festival prizes.

The show’s rural setting and slow-building dread struck a chord online, prompting conversations among viewers about isolation, community loyalty, and how small towns handle outsiders. Fans of Japanese crime and thriller TV have referenced its tense village scenes in discussions and recs.

Critics generally gave positive marks, reflected in its solid user vote average, with praise aimed at atmosphere, pacing, and the leads' acting. Major themes include moral ambiguity in law enforcement, the price of silence, and how ordinary routines can mask violent or secretive behavior. The series keeps tension through character choices rather than big set pieces, so viewers who appreciate mood-driven crime drama will likely stay engaged.