Themis' Uncertain Court (2026) s01e06 Episode Script

35 YEARS AGO
Mr. Yuki, you can come in.
It's a healthy baby boy.
Go on hold him.
Your name is Kiyoharu.
"Kiyo" means "pure, clear,
without a single impurity."
And "haru" stands for "hope."
Together, Kiyoharu.
Kiyoharu
Kiyoharu
The court upheld Kazuma Akiba's
death sentence, rejecting his claims.
As his family prepared to seek a retrial,
the execution was carried out,
just seven years after his arrest.
Come in.
In Japan's justice system--
It's been a while.
Have a seat.
Mr. Yuki.
The day of reckoning has come at last.
What's so funny?
You came all this way to tell me that?
This time
please don't bury the truth.
The truth can sometimes be
nothing more than a strong assumption.
Kiyoharu Ando.
As his doctor, I've treated him for years.
I believe it was because of you
that he chose to become a judge.
Don't let him down.
I have no intention of turning away
from the truth.
I will fulfill my duty.
Huh? Mr. Ando?
Mr. Ando, can you hear me?
-Mr. Ando--
-I can hear you.
Are you okay?
I'm fine. I'm used to falling.
Don't get used to that.
I lost focus for a moment.
Please, be careful.
At the retrial hearing,
be your usual self.
The Maebashi family murder case.
We are convinced
that Kazuma Akiba is innocent.
Let me review the key points.
Tomoyasu Bando,
his wife Misato,
their son Naoya,
and their daughter Haruka
were murdered at home.
The main reason Mr. Akiba was identified
as the culprit was motive.
Three months before the incident,
Sachiko, Mr. Akiba's wife,
died in an accident.
The accident was caused by Naoya Bando,
the victim's ten-year-old son.
Naoya deliberately cut
Sachiko's bicycle brake cable.
She had scolded him for bullying
a classmate, and this was retaliation.
Sachiko's brakes failed on a slope.
She was hit by a car and died instantly.
Naoya was only ten,
so he faced no criminal charges.
Yes?
Your son!
Bring him out here!
Mr. Akiba--
I will never forgive your son.
We are deeply sorry.
My son regrets what he did--
Then bring him out here!
We are truly sorry.
He's in there, I know!
We're sorry--
Unable to contain his grief and anger,
Mr. Akiba began showing up
at the Bando residence repeatedly.
Hey.
I'll expose who you really are.
You're crazy!
The murders occurred
amid Mr. Akiba's escalating actions.
Mr. Akiba's fingerprints were found
at the victims' home.
The crime took place
around 8:00 p.m. on April 12th.
A neighbor testified to seeing Mr. Akiba
near the Bando residence around that time.
However, Mr. Akiba claimed he was
at home with his daughter.
The claim was dismissed,
and he was arrested and indicted.
We have discovered evidence
that proves his alibi.
A VHS recording.
Please take a look.
Aki.
Tomorrow's your birthday.
Do you know how old you'll be?
Four!
Daddy, are you crying?
Your mom
would've wanted to see you grow up.
Sorry.
I made you remember.
Don't worry.
I'll always protect you.
Aki Yoshizawa's birthday is April 13th.
The crime occurred the night before.
Which means this footage was recorded
on the day of the crime.
The time on the clock
is too blurred to read.
We used a new forensic program
to estimate the blurred numbers.
Using that technology,
we identified the time.
8:07 p.m.
In other words, as Mr. Akiba stated,
he was at home at the time of the crime.
That doesn't prove it.
At the time, Mr. Akiba had quit
running his construction company
and was fixated on Naoya Bando.
He wasn't in his right mind.
Just because he said "tomorrow's
your birthday" doesn't make it true.
The clock itself may not
have been accurate.
The prosecutor makes a fair point.
Furthermore, the victim and defendant
lived in the same neighborhood.
Considering travel time
and timing discrepancies,
this cannot be considered a solid alibi.
At the time, police and prosecutors
dismissed Mr. Akiba's statement as false.
If he was home at 8:07 p.m.,
was it physically possible for him
to commit the crime?
That's the issue.
The defense's point is fair.
To prove motive, the prosecution seized
Mr. Akiba's MiniDV camcorder and tapes.
The recording date and time
should be embedded in that data.
Prosecution, please submit that evidence.
This is exactly why
this has dragged on for years.
Submit it as soon as possible.
Understood?
We will.
But let me say one thing.
Kazuma Akiba confessed.
The confession was allegedly coerced
by Deputy Prosecutor General Yuki.
There is no evidence of that.
Mr. Yuki has stood up to power
and exposed numerous wrongdoings.
He has carried out his duties
as a prosecutor with pride.
Ando, what is it?
I would like to recuse myself
from the retrial proceedings.
I should not be involved in this case.
What I'm about to say
should remain confidential.
I don't mind, but the other party may.
He's my father.
Hidetoshi Yuki is my father.
I'm an alien.
My father and I had 12 years
and 84 days together.
THEMIS' UNCERTAIN COUR
EPISODE 6
RETRIAL PETITION
27 YEARS AGO
-Have you seenTitanic ?
-I have.
I cried so much.
Kiyoharu, are you hurt?
Are you okay? Here.
Watch where you're going, okay?
Come on, let's go.
Kiyoharu.
Here it comes. Eyes on the ball.
Here.
Sorry. Thank you.
Kiyoharu! What are you doing?! Hey!
Did his cognitive test show any problems
at his school entrance check?
We were told there weren't any.
Hmm. Then why can't Kiyoharu do
what the other kids do?
When I tell him to take notes, he doesn't.
When it's time to run in PE,
he won't run.
He just won't listen.
To be honest, we're at a loss.
Please make sure
he's properly guided at home.
We're very sorry.
Kiyoharu, why are you
always staring at ants?
Yeah, why?
Ew, gross! He wet his pants!
-Gross!
-Run!
Kiyoharu
Ants start walking with their left legs.
The second leg from the back moves first,
not the front one.
Stop that.
Eat normally.
But if the taste is too mild,
he throws up.
That doesn't mean
we can just let him do whatever he wants.
I said stop.
Why can't you act normally?
Why can't you be like other kids?
Why do you always do strange things?
It's your fault,
you haven't disciplined him.
I have!
But it doesn't work.
Then you just keep teaching him
until he can do it.
You need to help, too.
Yuki joins us
from the Tokyo Prosecutors Office.
25 YEARS AGO
Hello. I'll be here for a short time,
but I look forward to working with you.
In the Maebashi family murder case,
after six months of investigation,
we've finally arrested Kazuma Akiba.
There's no doubt he's the culprit.
But he's still denying it.
HOME
As you know, Yuki has handled
many major cases.
He'll handle Akiba's interrogation.
Yuki, we're counting on you.
Yes.
My name is Yuki. From today,
I'll be in charge of your interrogation.
You will tell me the truth.
SUPREME PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
Maebashi District Court First Branch's
Judge Kadokura is a problem.
You never know what he might do.
But even if he approves the retrial,
we can file an immediate appeal.
The real concern is public opinion.
But if a celebrity scandal breaks,
people will move on quickly.
Yeah.
Furukawa.
The court is requesting submission
of the camcorder evidence, right?
Yes, but it dates back 25 years,
so we're still checking the inventory.
We'll send support.
What will you do
if you find evidence
that Kazuma Akiba is innocent?
What are you talking about?
There's no doubt he is the culprit.
The police, prosecutors, and the court
all decided that and he was executed.
That's right.
The Bandos live in the same neighborhood.
25 YEARS AGO
You're bound to run into them.
And every time you do,
it runs through your head.
"Why did this happen?"
"Why my family?"
"Why not someone else's?"
"We didn't do anything wrong."
"And yet he shows no remorse."
"He calls me crazy."
"I'll never see my wife again."
"My daughter lost her mother
in an instant."
"Why, why, why"
You wished they'd just disappear.
Didn't you?
I understand.
I understand exactly how you feel.
You can't forgive them.
You absolutely can't.
"At this rate
her death will be for nothing."
"Someone has to punish them."
"That's right!"
"I have to do it."
"I have to kill them."
"For my wife, for my daughter.
I have no choice."
You killed them, right?
Say it clearly.
I
I
I
killed them.
Impressive.
You broke Akiba.
This protects the prosecution's authority.
The evidence and statements obtained
by the police are solid, right?
Of course.
What are you talking about?
Nothing. That's fine then.
Well then.
Excuse me.
Hello?
This is Shinagawa Minami Police Station.
Am I speaking to Hidetoshi Yuki?
Yes.
Your son was just struck
by a car in front of your home.
What?
Your wife was driving.
I'm Yuki.
Tomoko, what happened?
Mr. Yuki?
Your son isn't
in life-threatening condition.
He has a broken arm,
but there's no brain damage.
-Really?
-Yes.
May we have a word?
There are bruises
on Kiyoharu's arm and body.
The doctor says they weren't caused
by the accident.
It appears someone has been pinching him
hard on a regular basis.
It may be abuse.
Is it true?
Did you abuse Kiyoharu?
So you suspect me too
I didn't. I could never.
The pinches were discipline.
Without them
he just won't listen.
Then what about the accident?
I went shopping
so I told him to stay in his room.
But after the rain
He
He was drawn to the way
the light sparkled, that's why he ran out.
That's when I hit him.
It wasn't on purpose.
Haven't you ever wished he was just gone?
That's you!
I can't take this anymore.
I'm the one who's had enough.
At our last meeting,
Mr. Ando asked to be recused.
However, the defense
sees no reason for that.
What?
There is no legal issue.
What about the prosecution?
We agree.
If Judge Ando shows bias,
we'll seek recusal.
For now, we have no objection.
They're saying you can stay involved.
I'm not sure about that
What happens if the media finds out?
Mr. Yuki is a Deputy Prosecutor General
representing the prosecution.
Magazines would love a story
about a son taking on the prosecution.
What's the problem with that?
We have nothing to hide.
Neither the defense
nor the prosecution objects.
You decide, Ando.
Prosecutor, the evidence submission?
We're working on it.
Be as quick as possible.
Understood.
Your Honor.
The petitioner, Mrs. Aki Yoshizawa,
has requested to make a statement.
We'll hear her statement next time.
I have a proposal.
I'd like the petitioner's statement
to be public.
Retrial hearings are
normally closed to the public.
It's not mandated by law.
Which parts are open to the public
and which are not
is something the judges can decide.
What's the purpose?
To let the public see
how the prosecution responds.
We won't let this slide.
Power should be subject to scrutiny.
Understood.
Mr. Furukawa--
Mr. Yuki is taking
this retrial request seriously.
I'm sure he would agree.
Wait. I oppose this.
It's completely unprecedented.
Unprecedented?
Let's do it.
The petitioner wishes to make a statement.
She has lived as the daughter
of a murderer.
She must have suffered
unimaginably.
She's willing to show her face
to the media to speak to us.
There's no reason to oppose that.
Ando, decide quickly
if you're stepping down.
That concludes today's meeting.
Can I really be involved
even though I'm an alien?
Kiyoharu.
23 YEARS AGO
Your mother and I are getting a divorce.
You'll stay with your mother.
Is that okay with you?
Yes.
Did you fall again?
Be sure to watch where you're going.
THE POWER TO PROSECUTE RESTS
WITH THE PROSECUTOR. I FEEL THAT WEIGHT.
"April 21st,
I can feel everyone's eyes on me."
"The disgust and scorn directed at me
is unbearable."
"I keep arguing with my wife
over Kiyoharu."
"It shouldn't be like this."
"My wife will have custody of our son."
"Part of me feels relieved."
"Why isn't that kid normal?"
"It's as if he's an alien."
I'm an alien?
I used to get hurt maybe once a week,
but now, it's almost every day.
Oh dear.
I'm also forgetting things more often.
Yesterday, I even forgot to eat.
You went oops.
I'm going oops too often lately.
It's a problem.
You keep thinking about the Maebashi case,
don't you?
And I think about my father
The past keeps replaying in my mind.
Ando
Do you remember your first time here?
Yes, I was 13
My parents had divorced,
and my mother was raising me alone.
When she was at her wit's end,
she turned to you.
I can never forget her face
when she heard my diagnosis.
I could tell she felt
a deep sense of relief.
It wasn't bad parenting.
There was a clear reason
why I wasn't "normal."
I've known you
for over 20 years.
To be exact, 22 years and seven months.
There are things I haven't told you
Things I couldn't tell you.
I plan to be involved
in this retrial.
You?
Why?
You know
Before I met you I met him.
Your father, that is.
The first psychiatric evaluation
of Kazuma Akiba
was performed by me.
These are Kazuma Akiba's
evaluation results.
No abnormalities in his mental state.
He's found to be criminally responsible.
Yes.
Thank goodness.
If he were found not guilty
by reason of insanity,
the victim's family would be left
with unbearable anger.
So would the public.
I'm glad I asked you to evaluate him
before prosecution.
But
there are some additional notes.
His confession was likely caused
by prolonged detention.
It's a mental reaction
to long-term confinement.
You know the symptoms.
Neurosis, depression,
hallucinations, delusions.
It seems the confession came
after the interrogation was extended
for various reasons while he was detained.
Mr. Yuki, what happened?
You're not going to use my evaluation?
I had Professor Komatsubara
at Keikyo University re-evaluate him.
He concluded it wasn't a case
of detention-induced reaction.
But the detention reaction was real.
Professor Komatsubara is an authority
in the field, isn't he?
Are you saying his diagnosis is wrong?
There are psychiatrists
who cater to the prosecution.
You know that, right?
When I found out that you were the son
of Hidetoshi Yuki
For a moment
I felt the urge
to just tell you everything.
"Your father ignored my evaluation."
"He may have sent
an innocent person to his death."
That's when I realized
that I
was looking for someone to blame.
I tried to pin it on your father,
and dodge responsibility.
If I thought my evaluation was correct,
I should have spoken up louder back then.
I was avoiding the responsibility
I couldn't face.
That's why now,
I'll do whatever I can to help.
I know, it's a lot to confess now.
But I don't want you
to regret
your own decisions.
Mr. Ando.
Mr. Ando!
Can you hear me?
I heard you.
Your pasta is getting cold.
I guess I was lost in thought again.
I was calling out to him,
but he didn't even notice
Well done, Ms. Onozaki.
Thanks.
I'll warm it up again.
High-pitched female voices bother me.
It grated on me, so I noticed.
I see
Do you need something?
I've been wondering
about what you said the other day.
You said, "Even though I'm an alien."
even though I'm an alien.
What did you mean by that?
Could it be
-You can move things from a distance?
-What?
You can tell what people are saying
sometimes, like by lip-reading, right?
I just can't help but watch
people's mouths when they speak.
So you don't have any special powers?
I don't.
Ah, I was kind of hoping you'd have them.
You were?
Just a little.
You're unusual, aren't you?
Huh? You're the last person
who should say that.
But
"unusual" is a compliment, right?
It means I'm unique.
Anyway, Mrs. Yoshizawa
is coming to the court.
You'll be there, right?
I still haven't figured out
what I should do.
Make your decision
after you've heard her out.
We will now begin.
Your Honor.
You're staring at the camera.
I'm not.
You are. Just relax and act natural.
Look who's talking.
Where are your glasses today?
I stepped on them last night
and broke them.
Why are you looking at me like that?
See, the judges here are a bit unusual.
Counselor.
What do you mean by "unusual"?
According to Ms. Onozaki,
it's a compliment.
Just relax.
Okay.
We'll begin filming the first two minutes
of the proceedings now.
Petitioner.
You may begin.
Yes.
PETITIONER FOR RETRIAL
AKI YOSHIZAWA
Thank you very much for giving me
this opportunity today.
To be honest, I hardly remember my father.
When I was four, my grandparents said
he was sick and in the hospital.
Then, when I turned eight
What?
Dad isn't sick?
Kazuma was arrested. He's in prison now.
Arrested?
Prison?
But he didn't do anything wrong.
It was some kind of mistake.
And yet
he's been sentenced to death
He said he wants to see you.
He really wants to see you, Aki.
BRUTAL CRIME IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA
EVEN TWO CHILDREN WERE MURDERED
KAZUMA AKIBA
In the end,
I never went to see my father.
He begged to see me.
He wanted to tell me
he hadn't done anything wrong.
But no matter how much he begged,
I stubbornly refused.
I was scared I couldn't go.
When my father was executed,
my grandparents filed
the first retrial petition.
But I kept my distance
from anything related to my father.
I had lived convincing myself
that he had died from illness.
But
I got married
and became a mother
And when I held my child in my arms,
memories of my father came flooding back.
When my mother passed away,
he held me tight, saying,
"It's okay, I'm here."
"I will always protect you."
I felt his warmth over and over.
Then, one day, I opened the box
with my father's keepsakes.
AKI AGE TWO, AKI AGE THREE
Aki.
Tomorrow's your birthday.
Do you know how old you'll be?
Four!
Daddy, are you crying?
Your mom
would've wanted to see you grow up.
Sorry.
I made you remember.
Don't worry,
I'll always protect you.
Dad
I remembered everything.
The day of my fourth birthday,
the police took my father in
for questioning,
So my birthday wasn't celebrated.
The next day, my father came home
with a late birthday present,
a stuffed animal.
The police asked me
if I was really with him
the day before my birthday.
I told them I was.
When the incident happened,
I was with my father. It's true.
For this second retrial petition,
my family tried to stop me.
But even so
I want to tell my son
I want to tell him the truth
about his grandfather.
I'm the only one who can prove it.
My father didn't do it.
He's not a criminal.
I know that
Prosecution, please submit
any evidence you have.
It will prove
my father's innocence.
Please
I beg you
Please
Please
Submit the evidence!
Exactly what the defense wanted.
Backlash is growing.
Come in.
Regarding the evidence
the court has requested
The original inventory of seized items
confirmed it existed.
What will you do
if you find evidence
that Kazuma Akiba is innocent?
I asked you that before.
There's only one answer.
We are members of the judiciary.
We believe in the law,
and in all circumstances, we face
matters sincerely, through the law.
That's our duty.
We just heard from the prosecution.
They have reported
the MiniDV tape we requested
as "not found."
Not found?
It doesn't mean they won't examine it.
It means they can't locate it.
What?
If they say it's gone and it turns up,
it would mean they lied.
Maybe it truly can't be found,
or it exists but can't be disclosed
Either way, it's a convenient phrase
prosecutors like to use.
It can't be
"Why can't you act normally?"
"Why can't you do the simplest things?"
"Why do you always do strange things?"
You've said those words to me
so many times.
I'm busy right now.
Why do you and the prosecution
respond with "not found"?
Answer me.
If you don't know what you don't know,
you'll never know what you need to know.
I want to know the truth.
I've joined the retrial proceeding,
and I will uncover what happened
25 years ago no matter what.
We cannot grant the retrial petition.
Wasn't it deliberately concealed?
We'll find new evidence.
Another tragedy
I believe my daughter was murdered.
I need to confirm something.
Answer, Mr. Yuki!
People will lose faith
in the justice system.