Asano shifts the entire blame onto Hanzawa to protect his own career, supported by high-ranking executives. Key Plot Points
The plot kicks into gear when a massive loan discrepancy is discovered. A client company, Nishinihon Steel, has seemingly vanished, taking a 500 million yen loan with them. The loan was approved based on a document signed by Hanzawa—but he never signed it. It is a classic setup: a subordinate, Nishida, desperate to meet quotas, forged the signature under pressure from the client. Hanzawa Naoki Episode 1
The first episode of Hanzawa Naoki introduces us to our protagonist, Hanzawa Naoki (played by Masaharu Fukuyama), a young and ambitious banker who has just been transferred to the M&A department of Tokyo's prestigious Shinsei Bank. Naoki is a rookie in the world of M&A, but he's determined to make a name for himself and prove his worth to his colleagues. Asano shifts the entire blame onto Hanzawa to
The episode introduces the cunning and sadistic Kurosaki from the Osaka Regional Taxation Bureau, who competes with Hanzawa to seize any remaining assets from the bankrupt steel company. Characters to Watch Impact in Episode 1 Naoki Hanzawa Loan Manager The loan was approved based on a document
Director Katsuo Fukuzawa employs a non-realistic, theatrical style often called “ Hanzawa acting.” Characters speak in monologues directly into the camera (interpellation), breaking the fourth wall. In Episode 1, Hanzawa’s inner voiceover—“Am I going to be crushed?”—creates intimacy but also a sense of paranoia. The score is symphonic and grandiose, reminiscent of a Hollywood thriller. This hyper-stylization elevates the corporate drama to the level of epic conflict. Every nod, bow, and glare is exaggerated. This style has been criticized as overacting, but it is a deliberate strategy: it makes abstract concepts like “loan collateral” and “internal audit” viscerally exciting.