Tonight marks the premiere of the TBS Friday drama "Ignite - Outlaws of the Law," starring Yoshiki Mamiya. This original dark legal entertainment series, co-produced by TBS and content studio BABEL LABEL, will air every Friday at 10 PM starting April 18, 2025.
Set against the backdrop of Japan's increasingly litigious society, "Ignite" delves into the lives of rogue lawyers who exploit conflicts to ignite lawsuits and make significant profits. The show explores the harsh realities of a saturated legal profession where simply being a lawyer is no longer enough to guarantee success.
The story follows Yuhi Uzaki (played by Mamiya), a rookie lawyer who leaves his salaryman job after the tragic death of his father in an accident. Despite barely passing the bar exam, Uzaki struggles to find a position in a competitive job market, leading him to the unconventional Peace Law Office, where the motto is to create conflict rather than wait for clients.
Uzaki's first case involves a silo accident at Yamagami Industries, where a worker died three years ago. Under the guidance of Niro Sakaki (Toru Nakamura), the head of Peace Law Office, Uzaki and his colleagues, Mari Inoo (Moka Kamishiraishi) and Toto Takaiwa (Ryuji Miyama), are instructed to approach the widow of the deceased, Miwa Saito (Takanori Tsuchiya). However, an ill-timed comment from Uzaki leads to a strained relationship.
As Uzaki continues to investigate the accident, he uncovers suspicious elements and decides to confront the president of Yamagami Industries. This decision brings him face-to-face with Takuma Kashiwagi (Mitsuhiro Oikawa), the company's consultant lawyer, setting the stage for intense legal confrontations.
Producer Shotaro Kakegawa, who has a personal history with the bar exam, aims to shed light on the challenges faced by modern lawyers. He noted, "The number of lawyers has more than doubled in the last 20 years due to legal reforms, creating a competitive environment where merely having a legal badge does not guarantee a livelihood." This insight inspired the concept of a firm where lawyers actively incite litigation.
In a recent interview, Kakegawa expressed his excitement about bringing this unique narrative to life, stating, "I hope viewers will feel a sense of thrill and engagement, as this is not your typical legal drama. We aim to show the human stories behind the lawsuits, the conflicts that lead to them, and the moral dilemmas faced by our characters."
Each character brings a distinct flavor to the series. Uzaki is portrayed as a passionate yet inexperienced lawyer, while Inoo serves as the office's mood maker, known for her sharp wit and encyclopedic knowledge of law. The ensemble cast also includes Ryo as Asami Ryoko, a detective with a strong reputation, and Oikawa as Kashiwagi, who stands as a formidable opponent to the young lawyers.
The narrative promises to blend courtroom drama with action-packed scenes, including car stunts and dynamic sequences outside of the courtroom. Kakegawa emphasized the importance of these elements, stating, "We want to create a legal drama that feels fresh and exciting, breaking away from traditional courtroom battles to explore the broader implications of law in society."
As the series opens, viewers can expect a gripping tale that not only entertains but also provokes thought about the ethical boundaries of legal practice. The show's title, "Ignite," aptly reflects the sparks of conflict that the lawyers seek to fan into flames of litigation.
With a strong cast and a compelling storyline, "Ignite - Outlaws of the Law" is set to captivate audiences, offering a unique perspective on the legal profession and the lengths to which some will go for victory. Tune in tonight at 10 PM on TBS to witness the beginning of this thrilling new series.
