Naoki Hanzawa
Episode 10
Review by David Cirone
We should have know that problems at Tokyo Chuo bank wouldn’t go away so easily. Immediately after his defeat at the final inquiry, FSA inspector Kurosaki lodges an official complaint about Hanzawa’s “unprofessional” behavior, which must be dealt with at the next board meeting. Never mind that Kurosaki (Ainosuke Kataoka) was equally theatrical and aggressive during the proceedings, all that matters is the bank’s reputation, and the board can’t afford any blemishes on their official record.
Hanzawa (Masato Sakai) takes it all in stride — he decides to use the board meeting as an opportunity to expose Owada’s shady maneuvers. This showdown been a long time coming, and Hanzawa submits his full report to the bank’s chairman. The crucial evidence, though, is missing: Kondo (Kenichi Takito) has stopped answering his phone, and the testimony from Tamiya Electric’s CEO that incriminates Owada is nowhere to be seen.
When Hanzawa receives the news that Kondo will return to the bank’s headquarters in his dream position as PR manager, Hanzawa does the math. He deduces that Kondo traded the crucial document to save his family situation, and arranges for a midnight kendo match with his old friend to talk things out. Hanzawa forgives Kondo and resolves to find another way to confront Owada.
Even cornered, Owada (Teruyuki Kagawa) is still a cunning adversary, and he confronts Hanzawa directly. Hanzawa has made no secret of his personal vendetta against Owada — even showing Owada the precious resin screw from his father’s factory that he carries with him at all times — and Owada senses this insistence on honor can be used against him. Owada tells Hanzawa that the solution to Hanzawa’s problem is easy: simply reveal to the bank’s board of directors that his good friend Kondo took a bribe to hide the evidence, and then both Owada and Kondo can both go down in flames together.
Once again, it’s Hana (Aya Ueto) to the rescue. She’s done some spying on the banker wives and discovered that Owada’s subordinate Kishikawa (Junpei Morita) is planning his daughter’s marriage — to none other than Kurosaki. Hanzawa races to confront Kishikawa, threatening to expose him for secretly siding against the bank during the FSA investigation. Not only will he lose his job, but his daughter will be publicly humiliated in the scandal. Will Kishikawa do the right thing and testify against Owada?
The morning of the board meeting arrives, and the room full of executives considers Hanzawa’s written complaint. Owada dismisses the accusations, citing the lack of evidence, and taunts his opponent to produce a witness. Hanzawa leans on Kishikawa, who turns on his boss at the last minute to save his daughter’s reputation.
Confronted with Hanzawa’a paper trail and testimony from his own second-in-command, Owada is shamed before the board and Chairman Nakanowatari announces that his punishment will be decided in a few days.
AND I WILL STRIKE DOWN UPON THEE
Owada’s imminent demotion isn’t enough for Hanzawa, who steps forward to come face to face with his nemesis. Owada promised to bend his knees in front of Hanzawa if Owada’s guilt could be proven, and now it’s time to collect. This climactic scene ascends to near-operatic levels of emotion, as the wounded boy inside Hanzawa demands retribution from the man he believes led his father to suicide. Sakai’s performance turns Hanzawa’s unrelenting fury into a volcano, and Kagawa makes us feel every agonizing second of this defeated villain’s painful surrender.
THE NAIL THAT STICKS OUT
While there are many points in this series which push the boundaries of believability, the ending balances the heavy-handed idealism with an injection of harsh reality. Owada’s punishment for all his deception and backroom financial dealings is a mere slap on the wrist. On the other hand, Hanzawa is (rightly) viewed as a threat by upper management — if he can pursue Owada so mercilessly, who’s next on his list? And will he inspire more junior bankers to back-talk their bosses? Hanzawa is rewarded with a sudden transfer to a small assignment far away from the bank’s headquarters, removing him from his position of influence and setting an example for any fools brave enough to follow in his footsteps. Despite his many speeches about what bankers “should” be, we’re left with a reminder that the world of finance still holds many shadows, and the crusade for those few like Naoki Hanzawa will never end.
THE MAN BEHIND IT ALL
Katsuo Fukuzawa’s direction in this extra-long final episode is superb, underscoring the key relationships with intense close-ups and dynamic composition. He manages time and again to stage bankers talking as high Shakespearean drama, with just the right pacing and a soft touch for each character’s internal life.