Bayside Shakedown

Months after the TV series finale, Detective Sergeant Shunsaku Aoshima has clawed his way back into the investigative division of the Wangan Precinct. He had been demoted to patrol duty for insubordination, making his return a test of how far he can push back into serious investigations. The atmosphere is tense as he re-enters the unit and reconnects with old colleagues.

Shortly after the movie begins, a body is found floating in a river at the edge of the precinct's jurisdiction. The scene quickly devolves into a cross-river contest between Wangan and the neighboring precinct, with both sides vying to recover the body first. The discovery includes a teddy bear crudely stuffed into the victim's stomach, complicating the case and inviting media attention.

The brass at Wangan Station are unhappy that the body has been recovered, arguing it requires a special investigation that would strain an already tight budget. They consider letting the other precinct handle it, creating a bureaucratic tug-of-war. Meanwhile, the incident delays other routine matters.

Shortly after, officers discover that receipts for on-the-job expenses, which they planned to file for reimbursement, have been stolen. The theft fuels suspicion and adds to the sense of disorder within the station. It also prompts the investigators to scrutinize internal processes as potential cover for other misdeeds.

The Assistant Commissioner is kidnapped, and investigators from Metropolitan Police headquarters move into Wangan Station to take charge. The operation is led by Superintendent Shinji Muroi, a former ally of Aoshima from the series. The intrusion shifts power dynamics and sets up a clash between headquarters' methods and local practices.

Muroi vows to reform the department and force cooperation between local and HQ officers, but his decisions are repeatedly overruled by higher-ups who insist on following procedures to the letter. The promise of equal footing clashes with entrenched administrative inertia. The investigation grows more frustrating as the hierarchy blocks practical progress.

As the case unfolds, it becomes clear that Muroi's superiors intend to set him up for failure if the investigation collapses. The other side uses the chaos to push their own agenda while maintaining a show of legality. This creates an atmosphere of distrust between the HQ team and the local officers.

Investigators from headquarters delegate the most menial tasks to the local officers, while the HQ team enjoys gourmet bento lunches. The locals must shoulder the workload and struggle with a sense of professional disparity. The mismatch highlights the bureaucratic dysfunction at the heart of the case.

The local officers are forced to work on several cases simultaneously to keep up with the broader workload. When mistakes occur, they are berated by their superiors, reinforcing a cycle of pressure and error. The strain of multitasking undercuts morale as the investigation continues.

Beyond the procedural drama, the film explores disaffected youth who struggle to differentiate reality from video games, as well as overprotective parents. These themes appear in interviews and scenes as the case intersects with online cultures. The narrative uses the investigation to comment on contemporary societal pressures.

The story includes lighter notes about otaku obsessed with cosplay, omnipresent media frenzies, and the lack of sidearms for certain officers. These elements supply humor and texture to the otherwise grim investigation. They illustrate the odd blend of everyday life and police work in this world.

Despite the chaos and bureaucratic nonsense, Aoshima and his fellow officers persevere, following leads and pushing the investigation forward. The film emphasizes resilience and camaraderie amid an environment that treats police work as theater as much as evidence collection. The conclusion promises continued tension between idealism and institutional constraints.