Finding your next obsession
Finding your next obsession

Set in the 18th century, the show follows the Shogun Yoshimune, who likes to disguise himself as a low-ranking samurai and go into his capital of Edo to see the life of the common man, as well as to seek out and punish evildoers who would hurt his citizens. He is aided by Magistrate Oo'oka and a vivacious fireman, Tatsugoro, as well as a rotating cast of other recurring characters. Along with Zenigata Heiji and Mito Kōmon, it ranks among the longest-running series in the jidaigeki genre. Like so many other jidaigeki, it falls in the category of kanzen-chōaku, loosely, "rewarding good and punishing evil."
LUXEN Decision Guide
A character-led series where relationships, personal stakes, and the gradual build of a story are central to the experience.
Best fit
Who it is for
Best suited to viewers who prefer character investment over a purely episodic watch.
Commitment
Long-form commitment · 12 seasons
Use the season and episode count to judge how much time you want to invest.
Start here
Read the synopsis.
Read the synopsis first, then decide whether the longer arc is worth the commitment.
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The series

207 episodes
1978
191 episodes
1983
129 episodes
1988
74 episodes
1991
44 episodes

51 episodes
1994

18 episodes
1996

24 episodes
1997
38 episodes
26 episodes

19 episodes
2001

13 episodes
2002
Cast
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