01x04 - Episode 4

[bunniefuu]

At Yaomi Transport, overtime work

was a common occurrence.

Did someone really die because of my dad?

I want to know the truth.

we switched to relay transport,

which involves swapping drivers mid-route.

Yet even so, overwork still occurred?

The accident was due

to the individual's own negligence.

Trusting the law isn't a bad thing.

There's a whistleblower.

It seems they want to talk to Mr. Ando.

Because of Mr. Ando's carelessness--

He said he can't testify.

If your judge hadn't messed up,

this wouldn't have happened.

If I were a defendant, I wouldn't want

to be judged by someone like me.

I'm not suited to be a judge.

I think I should quit.

Wouldn't you agree?

Dad.

What do you want me to say?

I only know you up to age 12.

I can't find the right words.

That's the truth.

I want to ask you something.

It's something I couldn't ask

13 years ago

You said it would be better

to hide my condition from others.

Was that for my sake?

Or

was it for yours?

Were you ashamed of me?

That's not worth answering.

That's not an answer.

People believe what they want to believe.

I HAVE A SORE THROAT AND A FEVER.

I'LL TAKE THE DAY OFF. ANDO

I'm not skipping work.

I'm not skipping work.

I'm an alien.

My job is to judge

the conflicts of Earthlings.

Am I good enough for that?

THEMIS' UNCERTAIN COUR

EPISODE 4

THE LEGENDARY REBEL

40TH COHOR

37TH JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT ANNIVERSARY

What's wrong, hey hey baby?

Come on, cheer up

Let's get fired up as always

and go wild

Oh, do whatever you want

till it all falls apart

Woo, let's see how long--

I can't believe I can't be with you

on a night like this

Cheers.

You lost your touch.

You played a lot better back in the day.

Spend decades as a judge,

and that's what happens.

Is that your excuse?

It's your fault for showing up.

Secretary General of the Supreme Court

Secretariat! Everyone was terrified.

Stop. I'm just one of the guys here.

Then

if you're just one of us, I have

a favor to ask you about my retirement.

Working as a notary public in Tokyo?

Information about judges

has a way of reaching me.

How scary.

But that works out.

Notary publics fall

under the Ministry of Justice.

-Can you do something?

-No chance.

"Machiavellian."

A ruthless, iron-fisted master schemer.

That word was coined for you.

I wonder whose call it was

to keep me endlessly shuttling

between district court branches.

I'll say this just once.

Don't stand out again.

Gotcha.

I'll keep my head down

for my last two years.

My poor head I drank too much.

Good morning.

Hey, rich-girl lawyer.

It's about Mr. Ando

How is he?

What do you mean?

I heard something happened to him.

Yeah, he messed up.

He was absent yesterday.

His heart probably broke a bit.

I don't think it's broken yet.

-Based on?

-Experience.

I've had two cases before him

as defense counsel.

Rejected.

Not admissible as evidence.

For me, it's proof enough.

Loser buys drinks?

Bring it on!

Alright, we're on!

Same place!

You got it!

Good morning.

Good morning.

How are you feeling today?

One mistake or two

RESIGNATION LETTER

What is this?

Well?

Good morning.

-Mornin'.

-Good morning.

Good morning.

Judges' office.

Yes.

Understood.

-Chief.

-Yes?

The footage submitted

by the defense attorney has arrived.

Okay

That's quite a stack

It's for the last three months.

The defense said

they'd file a counterclaim

on the day of the third hearing,

five days from now.

The plaintiff will likely either

agree to settle or withdraw the suit.

No need to rush reviewing

the evidence, then.

Right.

I'll do it.

Mr. Ando.

This branch is losing money

because cases are piling up.

There are other things to do.

Yes.

I hear the bar association's talking about

filing a motion to recuse you as judge.

If that happens, you're off the case.

It's happened before.

But it never actually went through.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers used

to threaten me with that all the time.

At times like this, the best thing is

to show that you've already taken action.

A voluntary reprimand, basically.

Judge Ando, stand!

Yes, sir.

Be extremely careful

with important evidence and testimony.

I'll be very careful.

Good. Reprimand's over.

Way too lenient.

"Reprimand" sounds fancy,

but in the end, it's just a warning.

Mr. Ando.

The trial for the theft

of outdoor AC units is about to start.

Understood.

If your judge hadn't messed up,

this wouldn't have happened.

How about agreeing to a settlement?

You know

You used to be my hero.

Hm?

In the Okinawa military base

environmental suit,

and the Hokuriku nuclear plant injunction.

You pursued the truth honestly

and ruled correctly.

But now you've become spineless

and you've hit rock bottom.

Judges

can't live like rebels.

HOW TO BE A GOOD BOSS.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR SUBORDINATES.

Oh, Prosecutor Furukawa.

You were in charge of the trial

for the outdoor AC units thefts, right?

How did it go?

What do you mean?

I was just wondering how it went.

It was a mess.

I knew it.

Well, cut him some slack.

Ando's kind of mentally fragile

right now, you know?

No, I messed up.

What?

Something doesn't add up.

The community center in the area

likely has multiple outdoor AC units.

Why skip those?

Sorry.

I did steal them.

They had checkpoints on Kanhoku Highway,

so Route 17 was crawling with cars.

I thought I'd get caught if I was seen,

but no one said anything

JUNE 10TH, 2025, FROM 2 A.M.

Prosecutor, please file

additional charges.

It was the usual Judge Ando,

actually even more so.

Full throttle.

Really

Is something up with Mr. Ando?

Nothing, never mind.

YOSHIYUKI SAKUMA

Let me be clear, I will never testify.

I'm not here to ask you to testify.

I came to apologize.

You chose to come forward once.

That must have taken courage.

And because of me, that path closed.

I'm truly sorry.

Also,

I wanted to give you something.

I have a spare.

This is for you.

Someday, it'll protect you.

Daddy,

I'm hungry.

Okay.

I want hamburger steak!

We're havingyakiniku today.

Any word from the plaintiff?

Like agreeing to settle,

or dropping the suit

Nope. Nothing.

The plaintiff was probably hoping

the whistleblower would reveal the truth.

So I guess she can't back down.

But if she gets countersued,

how long can she hold out?

Ando

Your eyes are red.

It's time to go home.

It's on my to-do list for today.

We'll help.

Hm?

It's our job as clerks.

Thank you.

Hey, hey, how can I leave now?

Fine, I'll help too.

Thank you.

I'm off.

Good night.

-Good night.

-Good night.

She never wavers.

Impressive.

May 11th, right?

Mrs. Yakumo,

can you?

Mr. Ando, eat something.

Thank you.

May 20th

-May 20th.

-Yes.

This is the last one.

How did it go?

No particular issues were found.

At least based on the submitted evidence,

the working hours were compliant.

Obviously. These were submitted

by the defense.

Ando, are you satisfied?

Hm?

The footage for May 15th and June 10th,

the days Mr. Sakuma was driving,

hasn't been submitted.

They probably just didn't have it.

Man, I'm running out of gas.

Gas?

He means alcohol.

The rich-girl lawyer always goes

to this standing bar behind the station.

It's good. Wanna come?

I need to go home to my husband and kid.

Sorry, I want to play

online games at home too.

Ando,

how about a quick drink?

You've got something

to tell me, right?

I'm sure you do.

You do, right?

Ando.

I'm going home.

Are you okay now?

You're over it?

All fine?

It's still here!

CAFE PALOMA

The stolen units are believed

to be taken to scrap dealers,

where valuable metals

such as copper are extracted.

They had checkpoints on Kanhoku Highway,

so Route 17 was crawling with cars.

The footage for May 15th and June 10th,

the days Mr. Sakuma was driving,

hasn't been submitted.

The stolen units

Route 17 was

May 15th and June 10th

the days Mr. Sakuma was driving

-One large draft, please.

-Coming right up!

Hey!

Hey, don't pretend you didn't see me!

You're a messy drunk, that's why.

Look who's talking!

Mr. Ando?

What's up?

I need to talk.

I knew it!

-Yes.

-I'm all ears.

-Two large beers.

-Got it.

Just oolong tea for me.

Sure.

So?

It's about the drive recorder's

missing footage.

The defendant's

in the outdoor AC units theft case

mentioned checkpoints

on the route on June 10th.

I asked the police to check

May 15th as well, just in case,

and there were checkpoints that day too.

What exactly does that mean?

Hold on a minute.

That's what you want to talk about?

Yes.

Let's put trial talk aside for now.

We'll go over it later.

Isn't there something else

you want to talk about?

Hm?

You know. Something

that's been bothering you.

Hmm

That thing in your desk.

On the far right.

Top drawer.

Stationery.

Your resignation letter!

What?! You can't quit! I don't approve!

Why would I need your approval?

Fair point

Look, Ando.

As your boss, and as someone who's been

around longer, I'm here to listen.

Why didn't you quit being a judge?

What?

How have you kept going all this time?

Wait, you want to talk about me?

Yes.

For real?

You've flipped the roles here.

Alright, seriously.

I think courts bend to power.

Japan runs on separation of powers,

with the courts

as the last line of defense.

But in reality, the executive

and legislature

control appointments and budgets.

The judges who keep their heads down

and play nice get promoted.

That's not true.

Then whose fault is it I'm being shuttled

between district court branches? Mine?

So why didn't I quit?

My family, for one.

And after a while

I just stopped thinking about it.

-Stopped thinking?

-Yeah.

I stopped overthinking every single case.

What kind of advice is that?!

It's practical advice.

Judges are expected

to increase case output.

And to judge based on submitted evidence.

That's the job.

Any objections?

So, Ando,

consciously stop thinking about things.

Once you do that, the worries

just vanish. Got it?

Stop thinking Stop thinking

Exactly Stop thinking.

Unbelievable

Stop thinking

Stop thinking Stop thinking

THIRD HEARING

First, we will explain how the court

reviewed the drive recorder evidence.

Judge Ando.

Of the three months Mr. Sakuma worked

prior to the accident,

footage from two days was not submitted.

We confirmed checkpoints

on the transport route on both days,

and asked the defense to re-check

whether the footage still exists.

It was overwritten.

It no longer exists.

I see.

Your Honor.

Don't you find that strange?

Think about it.

The only thing missing is the evidence

from the checkpoint days.

That raises a reasonable suspicion

of a cover-up.

Plaintiff's counsel,

we discussed this beforehand.

Did you find anything?

We uncovered a crucial fact.

We submit Defendant's Exhibit 78.

Please watch this security footage.

On June 10th,

before passing through the checkpoint,

Mr. Sakuma stopped his truck.

He called some colleagues

and transferred cargo.

The same thing happened on May 15th.

What this shows

is deliberate concealment

of overloaded transport.

Until now, the defense

has blamed the accident

on Mr. Sakuma's illness,

and overwork from a second job.

But immediately before the crash,

he was swerving.

It is extremely likely he lost control

because the truck was overloaded.

At Yaomi Transport,

drivers were forced to overload.

This is the reality behind the defense's

claimed "business resources."

Defense counsel, your response?

Frankly, I'm shocked.

We haven't verified these facts yet.

That's just sophistry.

Think about it.

Why is the president of Yaomi Transport

absent today, of all days?

It's clear he's being cautious

now that the cover-up has been exposed.

We believe the core issue

involves All-Time Express,

which outsourced to Yaomi Transport.

Isn't it likely the same practices

occurred at other subcontractors?

Objection.

That's pure speculation.

Sustained.

Your Honor.

Identifying who forced the overloading

is a critical issue.

We will promptly file suit

against All-Time Express

and request a consolidated trial.

We also request testimony

from Yaomi Transport's president

and one more witness.

One more witness?

A board member of All-Time Express

and COO of the National Logistics

Industry Organization,

Yuichiro Kagami.

Did you instruct subcontractors

to overload trucks?

Absolutely not.

The recent wave of regulatory reforms

seems to be one of the causes.

Those regulations were implemented

to protect the logistics industry.

So logistics come before human lives?

-Excuse us. We have to go.

-Excuse me.

Man, what a huge mess

Whoa, the internet's on fire too.

Even Minister Sajikihara

was dragged into it.

It's blown up big time.

The Justice Minister?

He was the central figure pushing through

the regulatory reforms in 2024 and 2025.

I've got a bad feeling about this.

What is this? Instant karma?

Crap.

You understand, don't you?

If this escalates,

it'll be bad for the Justice Minister.

Ideally,

you'd like this to involve

just a mid-size company.

The election's coming up.

Tell me

Does Yuichiro Kagami

have ties to the political world?

Bingo, huh?

Maybe it's

a revolving-door deal?

Bingo again?

Anyway,

it means the big shots are watching

the trial's outcome, right?

Including the Ministry of Justice.

Got it.

I'll handle it carefully.

What's wrong?

I'm scared.

What?

I'm afraid I'll make another mistake.

That fear makes me push

myself even harder.

I tried not to think

to escape that fear.

But no matter what,

I can't stop thinking.

If the truth isn't uncovered,

someone's life could be ruined.

Are the submitted documents accurate?

Are the testimonies truthful?

If I don't know what I don't know,

I'll never know what I need to know.

Even if you don't know

what you don't know,

you still have to rule.

I'll handle it this time. Leave it to me.

I've got this.

Like what you said before?

It's in your hands now.

Handle it properly.

Properly how?

Jaaang something like this.

I still

don't understand that.

Don't stand out again.

You've become spineless

and you've hit rock bottom.

Kanako's on board

with the two-household setup!

But Dad, you'll need to keep earning

even after retirement.

And make sure there's space

for us to stay over.

Why not three, four households?

-Any objections?

-None!

Grandpa, good luck at work! See you!

Impossible

But I'll manage

FOURTH HEARING

Mr. Kadokura

Mr. Kadokura, it's time.

Alright. Let's go.

Oh. That's rare. What brings you here?

I helped preserve the evidence.

I wanted to see how this ends.

Please answer honestly.

The overloading was done

company-wide, correct?

That's correct.

He admitted it

Because of that,

Mr. Sakuma lost his life--

It was Mr. Sakuma's idea.

He said overloading would help.

That it would make work easier.

Order.

Plaintiff's counsel, continue.

Even if

Mr. Sakuma suggested it,

why didn't you, as president, refuse?

I couldn't.

There's a severe driver shortage.

Mr. Sakuma was senior. He ran the site.

He threatened to quit with everyone else.

I opposed it.

But they wouldn't listen.

I see.

The dead can't speak.

There it goes again

Any further questions?

I'd like to question Mr. Yuichiro Kagami.

All rise.

I swear

that the evidence I shall give

shall be the truth, the whole truth

and nothing but the truth.

Yuichiro Kagami.

What is your view on Yaomi Transport's

overloading practices?

It's deeply regrettable.

You had no knowledge of it?

None whatsoever.

We would have terminated the contract.

Many small transport companies

are going bankrupt.

Only Yaomi Transport stayed profitable.

Did it not strike you as odd?

Despite the hardships,

several companies are growing.

And then, regulations

are restoring the logistics industry.

So this was just Yaomi Transport's issue?

That is my understanding.

Regardless,

we accept supervisory responsibility

for the accident.

Not only Yaomi Transport,

but our company is also prepared

to compensate the plaintiff.

Your Honor.

The defendant will pay

80% of the claimed amount.

We request a settlement.

They're trying to bury it with money.

A classic move.

Plaintiff's counsel?

Please, give us a moment.

Your Honor. The plaintiff wishes to speak.

Proceed.

What is

a trial, really?

Every time,

people say whatever suits them,

and the truth keeps changing.

But

I just want to know what really happened.

It's been said.

We already testified to it.

Your father led the overloading.

I don't believe it.

Are you trying to raise the settlement?

This is unacceptable.

Your Honor.

We will countersue!

Your Honor.

That countersuit is improper!

Your Honor.

We want to file the motion.

Your Honor.

Don't make a mockery of the court.

Your Honor.

What did you say?

I said don't mock the court.

A court

exists to uncover the truth.

If the truth isn't revealed here,

then it's as if nothing happened.

A convenient truth isn't enough.

Your Honor, calm down.

Calm down? Someone's dead.

Why did Mr. Sakuma

have to die?

Why did Ms. Suzue Matsukura, a passerby,

have to get caught up in it all?

If we pretend this never happened,

it will happen again.

I understand

your position as workers.

But you don't live just to work.

Objection.

The presiding judge is showing bias.

Sustained.

And overruled!

Formally, I would approve it.

But following the rules blindly

can hide the truth.

This is a case where we must see it.

Isn't this countersuit

meant to intimidate the plaintiff

into withdrawing the lawsuit?

We request

recusal of the presiding judge.

Dismissed. The motion is only meant

to delay the proceedings.

Defense counsel

If you object to my conduct,

appeal immediately to the High Court.

The court

will issue evidence preservation orders

for drive recorders and violations

to all subcontractors of All-Time Express.

Agreed.

Agreed.

To pursue the truth

and deliver judgement.

This is the duty of a judge.

The court issued an order

for preservation of evidence.

We don't care. Go home.

Obstruction of official duties.

Chief, I am truly sorry!

I deeply regret my behavior,

which was unbecoming of a judge.

I will accept a formal warning.

But could you spare me

a financial penalty?

You see, I have many grandchildren,

and expenses keep piling up--

Hello?

Hello?

Damn it, he hung up.

Haah, I really didn't handle it well.

How's it looking?

The evidence is piling up.

But just because the subcontractors

were overloading,

can we hold All-Time Express

responsible too?

The administrative office just called

I didn't say what I knew

because I signed an NDA.

And I was paid.

But every time I see my son,

I can't stop thinking

about Mr. Sakuma's feelings

for his daughter.

What?

That's why

I decided to use a weapon.

"Article 90 of the Civil Code:

the NDA violates public order

and morality."

"Article 708:

payment for ill*gal cause

doesn't bind you from testifying."

I'll return the money.

Mr. Sakuma raised the issue directly.

To Yuichiro Kagami.

Are you aware other subcontractors

are being pushed the same way?

I'm in a hurry.

Mr. Kagami, please wait!

Take measures to increase delivery fees.

At this rate,

there will be accidents.

I just want to work properly.

Mr. Kagami!

He pleaded over and over,

desperately asking for improvements.

Mr. Sakuma told me once.

"At this rate, I can't face my daughter."

"I want to face her proudly,

with a smile."

Dad

Inform Mr. Yuichiro Kagami

he may face criminal charges under

the Industrial Safety and Health Act.

Thank you so much

for everything you've done.

Whatever the reason,

it's true that my father

took someone's life.

But

I'm glad I got to know him.

I'm truly grateful.

Ando, what's wrong?

Mr. Togashi, you're using

the weapon incorrectly.

Huh?

"Article 708 of the Civil Code:

unlawful causes do not require repayment."

You don't have to return the money.

But it's dirty money.

There's no such thing as dirty money.

What's so funny?

I'm glad I didn't file a recusal motion

against you, Judge Ando.

And

What about me?

I'm glad I believed in you,

legendary rebel.

Mr. Kadokura, this is going

to cost us dearly.

Stop thinking Stop thinking

Excuse me?

It just depresses me.

By the way, what was that rhythm

you were keeping in court?

Yeah, I wondered about that too.

It was rock.

I shouldn't have listened

to it before court.

Now it's stuck in my head.

It's this one.

I've heard this.

It's RC Succession's

"Ameagari no Yozora ni."

Correct!

When I was younger,

I often listened to this before court.

Eventually I stopped, though.

Oh?

Ooh, Ando, you like it!

Judge Ando, stand!

Yes, sir.

Not like this.

Like this.

Like this, like this.

Yes, like that. Faster!

Yes, that's it!

Like that!

That's good!

Mr. Ando?

Mr. Ando!

What's going on?

Your head was bobbing strangely.

Hey, wait.

I made a bet with Mr. Kadokura.

We debated

whether you'd break as a judge.

I won, so he had to pay the check.

Oh, sorry for betting on you.

It's okay. But I haven't stopped thinking

about resigning as a judge.

I still have my resignation letter.

Why?

I'm afraid I'm not good enough,

so I want to quit.

But

I love the moments in court

when the lies disappear.

I want to quit, I don't want to quit.

I go back and forth.

I keep changing my mind.

It's natural to have doubts.

Your job is to judge people.

Doubts are yay.

Doubts are yay?

Yes.

Doubts are yay!

Doubts are yay!

Doubts are yay

I hate the law.

When my dad was supposed

to have committed the crime,

I was three and with him.

There's no way he's guilty.

My father

was k*lled by the law.

IN THE NEXT EPISODE

Who's that?

There were no procedural errors.

She's gone missing

from protective custody.

She might take her own life.

It's not my responsibility.

You've got a heart of steel.