A former detective confronts institutional failure and media pressure when a new crime resurrects an unsolved 1989 case.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Shōwa 64 Shadow
The 1989 girl kidnapping-murder case occurs and remains unsolved for 14 years. The police department faces mounting pressure as the statute of limitations approaches.
Key Events
1989 Rokuyon Case Origin — A series of girl kidnapping-murders occurs, later named 'Rokuyon' after the Shōwa era year. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Prefectural Police Department
14-Year Investigation Stagnation — The case remains unsolved for over a decade, becoming a major institutional embarrassment. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Criminal Investigation Department
Prefectural Police Context — The broader police force struggles with the unresolved nature of the case. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Prefectural Police Department
Exile to Public Relations
Mikami is transferred against his will to a PR role as the legal deadline looms. He struggles with administrative duties and media scrutiny.
Key Events
14-Year Investigation Stagnation — The case remains unsolved for over a decade, becoming a major institutional embarrassment. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Criminal Investigation Department
Statute of Limitations Deadline — The legal window to prosecute closes, adding urgency and pressure to the cold case. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Police Headquarters
Forced Administrative Transfer — Mikami is transferred against his will to a Public Relations Officer position. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Police Affairs Department
Media Turmoil and New Threat
Mikami faces relentless press pressure until a new crime emerges that perfectly mirrors the original case. The past suddenly resurfaces.
Key Events
Forced Administrative Transfer — Mikami is transferred against his will to a Public Relations Officer position. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Police Affairs Department
PR Role Media Struggles — Mikami faces relentless questioning and pressure from reporters in his new administrative capacity. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Press Conference Room
Mirror Crime Emergence — A new kidnapping-murder case surfaces with details that exactly replicate the 1989 Rokuyon case. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Crime Scene
Public Relations Role Definition — Mikami's new duties focus on media management rather than active investigation. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Police Affairs Department
Echoes of the Past
Recognizing the exact pattern, Mikami is forced to confront his past and restart the investigation despite bureaucratic resistance.
Key Events
Pattern Recognition — Mikami identifies the precise similarities between the new crime and the original unsolved case. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Investigation Office
Institutional Reluctance — Bureaucratic resistance clashes with Mikami's desire to reopen the original investigation. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Police Affairs Department
Past Haunts Present — The unresolved trauma of 1989 resurfaces, forcing Mikami to confront his professional failure. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Prefectural Police Department
Investigation Restarted — Mikami prepares to dive back into the cold case, driven by the new mirror crime. Characters: Yoshinobu MikamiLocation: Criminal Investigation Department
Story Breakdown
Historical Case Origins — Establishes the 1989 kidnapping-murder case and its naming convention.
Shōwa Era Naming — Case named after the 64th year of the Shōwa calendar.
Initial Investigation — Mikami assigned as lead detective in the Criminal Investigation Department.
Decade of Stagnation — Details the 14-year unresolved period and institutional impact.
Unsolved Status — Case remains cold despite extensive police efforts.
Institutional Embarrassment — The department faces internal and external criticism.
Administrative Exile — Describes Mikami's forced transfer and role change.
Forced PR Transfer — Mikami moved against his will to Public Relations.
Bureaucratic Relocation — Shift from field investigation to administrative duties.
Media Confrontation — Explores the pressure Mikami faces in his new role.
Press Scrutiny — Reporters constantly question police handling of cases.
Public Relations Struggles — Mikami battles media demands while managing department image.
Mirror Crime Emergence — Introduces the new case that replicates the original.
New Kidnapping Case — A fresh kidnapping-murder surfaces in 2002.
Exact Pattern Replication — Details match the 1989 Rokuyon case precisely.
Investigative Resurgence — Covers Mikami's return to active case work.
Past Trauma Resurfacing — Unresolved 1989 failures force psychological reckoning.
Cold Case Reopened — Mikami prepares to restart the original investigation.
1989: 64th and last year of the Showa era. A girl is kidnapped and killed. The unsolved case is called Case 64 ('rokuyon'). 2002: Yoshinobu Mikami, who was the detective in charge of the Case 64, moves as a Public Relations Officer in the Police Affairs Department. His relation with the reporters is conflicted and his own daughter is missing. The statute of limitations for the Case 64 will expire in one year. Then a kidnapping case, similar to the Case 64, takes place. The rift between the criminal investigation department and police administration department deepens. Mikami challenges the case as a public relations secretary.
