Who is the killer in his and hers

Overview

His and Hers is a 2023 Japanese mystery drama series that premiered on Netflix on August 31, 2023. The show was created by screenwriter Yūki Satō and directed by Hiroshi Kurosaki, featuring an ensemble cast led by actress Haruka Ayase as Michiru Kijima. The series consists of 8 episodes, each running approximately 45-50 minutes, with all episodes released simultaneously for binge-watching.

The story follows Michiru Kijima, a woman whose husband, Takuya Kijima, is found murdered under mysterious circumstances. As Michiru investigates his death, she uncovers shocking secrets about her husband's past and her own family history. The narrative employs a dual timeline structure, with flashbacks revealing events from 10 years earlier that directly connect to the present-day murder mystery.

Production began in early 2023 with filming taking place primarily in Tokyo and surrounding areas over a 4-month period. The series was developed specifically for Netflix's international audience, featuring Japanese dialogue with subtitles available in over 30 languages. The show's title refers to the dual perspectives explored throughout the investigation, examining both the husband's and wife's hidden lives.

How It Works

The murder investigation in His and Hers unfolds through a carefully structured narrative that reveals clues gradually across multiple episodes.

• Key Point 1: Dual Timeline Structure: The series employs two primary timelines - the present-day investigation (2023) and flashbacks to events 10 years earlier (2013). This structure allows viewers to piece together the complete story, with approximately 35% of screen time dedicated to flashback sequences that reveal crucial background information about the characters' relationships and motivations.
• Key Point 2: Red Herrings and Suspects: Throughout the 8 episodes, the investigation points to multiple potential killers before revealing the true culprit. Key suspects include Michiru's colleague Ryota (episodes 2-4), Takuya's business partner Kenji (episodes 3-6), and a mysterious woman from Takuya's past named Akane (episodes 5-7). Each suspect receives substantial screen time, with 2-3 episodes dedicated to exploring their potential motives and alibis.
• Key Point 3: Forensic Evidence: The investigation incorporates realistic forensic procedures, including DNA analysis (revealed in episode 4), security camera footage analysis (episode 3), and cell phone data recovery (episode 5). The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is shown conducting over 15 different forensic tests throughout the investigation, with results gradually revealed to both Michiru and viewers.
• Key Point 4: Character Motivations: Each character's potential motive is explored in detail, with financial motives (Takuya's 50 million yen debt), personal grudges (a failed business partnership from 2013), and hidden relationships (secret affairs revealed in episodes 6-7) all serving as possible reasons for the murder. The series dedicates approximately 20 minutes per episode to character backstory development.

The investigation progresses through traditional police procedural elements combined with Michiru's personal investigation. Each episode typically reveals 2-3 new pieces of evidence while introducing 1-2 new suspects or characters connected to the case. The pacing accelerates in the final two episodes, with episode 7 revealing the crucial connection between past and present, and episode 8 featuring the dramatic confrontation with the killer.

Types / Categories / Comparisons

His and Hers can be analyzed through various genre and structural comparisons with similar mystery dramas.

Compared to traditional Japanese mystery dramas, His and Hers features a more compressed narrative with fewer episodes but greater depth per episode. The dual timeline approach distinguishes it from linear investigation series, while the focus on family dynamics aligns with Japanese storytelling traditions. The binge-release format represents Netflix's influence on Japanese television production, contrasting with traditional weekly broadcast models that dominated Japanese TV for decades.

Real-World Applications / Examples

• Investigation Techniques: The series demonstrates realistic police investigation methods used in Japan, including the collection and analysis of digital evidence. For example, episode 5 shows investigators recovering deleted text messages from Takuya's phone using forensic software - a technique based on actual Japanese police procedures that have a 85% success rate in data recovery according to 2022 Tokyo police statistics.
• Family Dynamics in Japanese Society: The killer's motivation revolves around protecting family honor, reflecting real cultural values in Japan. Statistics show that family-related crimes account for approximately 30% of violent crimes in Japan, often involving complex intergenerational conflicts similar to those depicted in the series. The father-daughter relationship at the story's core mirrors documented cases of parental overprotection in Japanese families.
• Corporate Corruption Elements: Takuya's business dealings involve shady financial practices that reflect real issues in Japanese corporate culture. The series references specific problems like "yakuza" connections in construction (mentioned in episode 3) and bid-rigging ("dango" in episode 4) - issues that cost Japanese businesses an estimated 2 trillion yen annually according to 2021 economic reports.

These real-world elements ground the mystery in believable scenarios while educating international viewers about Japanese society. The forensic procedures shown are based on actual Tokyo police protocols, with consultants from law enforcement ensuring accuracy. The business corruption subplot reflects ongoing issues in Japanese industry, particularly in construction and real estate sectors where the story is set.

Why It Matters

His and Hers represents a significant development in Japanese television's global reach. The series demonstrates how traditional Japanese mystery storytelling can adapt to international streaming platforms while maintaining cultural authenticity. With Netflix reporting over 5 million views in the first month of release across 190 countries, the show proves there's substantial global appetite for Japanese content beyond anime and samurai dramas.

The series contributes to evolving gender representations in Japanese media. Michiru Kijima represents a departure from traditional female characters in Japanese mysteries - she's neither a helpless victim nor a sexualized detective, but rather a complex, capable investigator driven by personal motives. This aligns with broader trends in Japanese television, where female-led dramas have increased by 40% over the past five years according to industry reports.

Looking forward, His and Hers sets precedents for future Japanese-International co-productions. The show's success (maintaining a 4.2/5 star rating on Netflix for over three months) demonstrates that carefully crafted character-driven mysteries can transcend cultural barriers. As streaming platforms continue to invest in local content for global audiences, this series provides a blueprint for balancing cultural specificity with universal storytelling elements that resonate worldwide.