Manhunt

Manhunt

Year: 1976

Runtime: 151 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Junya Satō

CrimeActionDrama

A tough prosecutor is falsely accused of theft and goes on the run to clear his name. He is assisted by the beautiful daughter of a rich man.

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Timeline & Setting – Manhunt (1976)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Manhunt (1976). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Tokyo, Makami Village (Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture), Kounogi (Hokkaido), Mito (Seaside area near Mito), seaside shanty

The story unfolds across Japan, moving from the bustling capital to rural coastal landscapes. Morioka flees from Tokyo to Ishikawa’s Noto Peninsula, then to the forested and coastal expanse of Hokkaido, before returning toward the Tokyo area. These varied environments—urban streets, remote villages, and rugged coastlines—shape the tension and danger of the pursuit, highlighting the odds Morioka faces along the way.

🏙️ Urban 🗺️ Rural 🐻 Wildlife 🛶 Coastal

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:40

Main Characters – Manhunt (1976)

Meet the key characters of Manhunt (1976), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Morioka (Ken Takakura)

A prosecutor whose career is derailed when he is accused of theft. Forced into hiding, he uses cunning and quick thinking to evade capture while trying to uncover who framed him. He also adopts the alias Maeda at one point, signaling his willingness to adapt to survive.

🔎 Protagonist 🧭 Outlawed by system 🧠 Resourceful

Tonami Yoshinori (Hideji Ôtaki)

A political heavyweight aiming for the governorship who offers help to Morioka to advance his own power. His withdrawal from the race shifts the political stakes and shows the use of public image as a tool for influence.

🏛️ Politician 🎭 Power broker 🗝️ Influence

Tonami Mayumi (Ryoko Nakano)

Mayumi is entangled in the political web connected to the Tonami family. She helps Morioka escape and later aids in navigating the dangerous pursuit, signaling complex loyalties and personal risk.

🧭 Ally 💪 Courage 👫 Partner

Detective Yamura (Yoshio Harada)

A police detective assigned to Morioka's case who becomes a relentless pursuer. He is pragmatic, but the investigation reveals troubling compromises and strategic moves by both sides.

🕵️ Investigator ⚖️ Law enforcer 🗝️ Persistent

Yokomichi Keiji (Kunie Tanaka)

The husband of one accuser, a key figure tied to the case. His actions and connections hint at the larger network of influence surrounding the crime and the pharmaceutical plot.

👨‍👦 Family man 🕸️ Connector 🧩 Suspect

Yokomichi Kayo (Hiroko Isayama)

A member of the Yokomichi family involved in the unfolding events. Her role intersects with the pursuit as the plot reveals hospital connections and the drug scheme.

👩‍👧 Family figure 🧭 Navigational ally 🧪 Risk

Nagaoka Ryosuke (Kō Nishimura)

A powerful representative whose company is tied to extortion and the drug AX. His pursuit of wealth and control drives much of the conspiracy, culminating in a dramatic confrontation.

💼 Business magnate 🧪 Corruption ⚡ Ruthless

Asakura (Representative Asakura)

A political figure who is extorted and who dies amid the financial and pharmaceutical intrigue. His fate underscores the lethal stakes in the power struggles driving the plot.

🏛️ Politician 💣 Blackmail victim 😶 Power victim

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:40

Major Themes – Manhunt (1976)

Explore the central themes of Manhunt (1976), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice vs Power

The narrative probes whether law and order can prevail when political and corporate interests interfere with justice. Morioka’s arrest and subsequent manhunt reveal a system where influence and money tilt outcomes. The plot suggests that some criminals slip through legal cracks because of their connections and resources.

🕵️ Identity & Deception

Morioka operates under aliases and within a web of misinformation, including his own disguises and the hospital’s manipulation. The pursuit exposes how identities can be manufactured or concealed to control outcomes. Truth becomes a negotiable commodity as clues are planted and loyalties tested.

🏃‍♂️ Pursuit & Survival

On the run, Morioka and Mayumi navigate a widening maze of danger across cities and remote locales. The chase tests resilience, trust, and a willingness to bend rules to stay ahead. Survival pressures characters to choose between personal safety and moral principles.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:40

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Manhunt Summary

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Manhunt Summary

Manhunt Timeline

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Manhunt Timeline

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