Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Black Swindler, which has mesmerized Netflix audiences with its dark tale of revenge, psychological manipulation, and the morally complex world of a young man who cons criminals to seek justice for his family’s tragic fate.
The Black Swindler (known as “Kurosagi” in Japanese) premiered on TBS on October 21, 2022, and became available on Netflix for international streaming. The series features 10 episodes, each running approximately 54 minutes. This Japanese crime thriller delivers a compelling narrative that combines vigilante justice with psychological manipulation, creating a viewing experience that explores themes of trauma, revenge, moral ambiguity, and the thin line between justice and criminality.
The series takes viewers into the world of Koshiro Kurosaki, a young man whose life was destroyed by fraud, leading him to become a “black swindler” who exclusively targets other swindlers. Based on the popular manga by Takeshi Natsuhara and Kuromaru, The Black Swindler stars Sho Hirano (King & Prince), Yuina Kuroshima, and Kai Inowaki in performances that perfectly capture the psychological complexity of people operating in moral gray areas. This 2022 adaptation updates the classic story for modern audiences while maintaining the dark psychological elements that made the original manga and 2006 adaptation so compelling.
From Tragedy to Vigilante Mission
When Koshiro Kurosaki was 15 years old, his father became a victim of a devastating fraud case that led to his father attempting to kill the entire family before taking his own life, with Koshiro being the sole survivor of this tragedy. The series begins with Koshiro as a young adult who has dedicated his life to seeking revenge against swindlers, operating under the codename “Kurosagi” and using his intelligence and understanding of criminal psychology to target only those who prey on innocent people.
The genius of the series lies in how it explores the psychological transformation of someone who has been so deeply traumatized that traditional justice feels inadequate. Koshiro’s mission isn’t just about revenge—it’s about preventing other families from experiencing the same destruction his family endured, making his criminal activities feel like a necessary form of protection for society’s most vulnerable members.
Koshiro Kurosaki’s Complex Psychology
Sho Hirano delivers a nuanced performance as Koshiro Kurosaki, a character whose transformation from innocent teenager to calculating swindler forms the emotional and psychological core of the series. His portrayal captures the internal conflict of someone who uses criminal methods for arguably moral purposes, showing how trauma can reshape a person’s entire worldview and moral compass. Koshiro appears to be an ordinary young man who cares for his black cat Kuro, but beneath the surface lies someone who doesn’t trust people and lives an isolated life driven by his mission.
What makes Koshiro’s character particularly compelling is how Sho Hirano shows his evolution from someone consumed by revenge to someone who begins to understand the broader implications of his actions and the possibility of connection with others despite his traumatic past.
The Cat-and-Mouse Game of Swindling Swindlers
The series showcases Koshiro’s elaborate cons as he targets different types of fraudsters, from romance scammers to investment scheme operators, using their own tactics against them while ensuring their victims receive justice. Each case demonstrates his meticulous planning and deep understanding of criminal psychology, as he must stay one step ahead of people who are already masters of deception and manipulation.
The brilliance of The Black Swindler lies in how each con reveals more about Koshiro’s character while exploring different types of fraud that plague society, making every episode both a thrilling heist story and a commentary on the various ways people exploit others for financial gain.
When Justice Becomes Personal Vendetta
The series reaches its most intense moments when Koshiro’s mission brings him closer to the original fraud that destroyed his family, forcing him to confront both the criminals responsible and his own motivations for seeking revenge. As he delves deeper into the criminal underworld, the line between justice and vengeance becomes increasingly blurred, challenging both Koshiro and viewers to question whether his methods are truly righteous.
The turning points in The Black Swindler are particularly effective because they force Koshiro to examine whether his crusade for justice has become its own form of obsession, and whether his isolation and mistrust of others has made him more like the criminals he targets than the innocent person he once was.
Success on Netflix
The Black Swindler has found success among Netflix audiences who appreciate psychological crime dramas with morally complex protagonists and intricate con artist storylines. The series has been praised for Sho Hirano’s compelling performance, its thoughtful exploration of trauma and justice, and its sophisticated approach to the vigilante genre. Critics have noted the show’s ability to balance thrilling con sequences with meaningful character development, making it accessible to viewers seeking both entertainment and psychological depth in their crime dramas.
A Psychological Crime Masterpiece Worth Your Time
If you love crime dramas that combine vigilante justice with psychological complexity, elaborate cons, and morally ambiguous protagonists, The Black Swindler is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The show succeeds in creating a uniquely Japanese take on the anti-hero genre while delivering genuinely thrilling and emotionally resonant stories about trauma, justice, and redemption.
Why You Should Enter This World of Justified Deception
Positive Aspects:
- Outstanding performance by Sho Hirano who brings incredible depth and psychological complexity to his morally ambiguous character
- Excellent writing that balances thrilling con sequences with meaningful exploration of trauma and justice
- Sophisticated production values with realistic portrayals of fraud schemes and psychological manipulation techniques
- Perfect episode structure that allows each con to feel complete while building toward larger character development arcs
- Thoughtful examination of moral ambiguity that avoids simple good vs. evil narratives in favor of psychological complexity
Negative Aspects:
- The dark themes of family tragedy and revenge may be emotionally heavy for viewers seeking lighter crime entertainment
- Some fraud schemes may be complex for viewers unfamiliar with financial crime terminology and methods
- The protagonist’s isolation and mistrust may make him less relatable for viewers preferring more traditionally heroic characters
- Certain episodes focus heavily on con mechanics that may slow down character development for some viewers
- The morally gray nature of the protagonist’s actions may be uncomfortable for viewers preferring clear ethical boundaries
The Black Swindler stands as one of the most psychologically sophisticated examples of Japanese crime drama that successfully explores trauma, justice, and moral complexity without sacrificing entertainment value.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 10 episodes (completed series)
- Platform: Netflix (originally aired on TBS)
- Release Year: 2022
- Current IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Psychological
- Production Type: Japanese J-drama (based on manga)
- Status: Completed series
- Protagonists: Sho Hirano (Koshiro Kurosaki), Yuina Kuroshima (supporting character)
- Antagonist: Various swindlers and fraudsters, plus the original criminals who destroyed Koshiro’s family