Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Sins of Kujo’ or ‘Kujô no Taizai’ is written by Nonji Nemoto and focuses on the life of Taiza Kujo (Yûya Yagira), an attorney who handles cases for criminals, yakuza members, and those with a history of offenses. He earns a reputation as a morally compromised lawyer who doesn’t care about the consequences of his actions. However, he remains convinced that a lawyer’s core duty is to champion their client’s cause. With the power of his legal knowledge turned into a weapon, the true nature of Kujo’s concept of justice remains uncertain.
The Japanese legal crime drama series delves into Kujo’s actions as he faces increasingly difficult questions about his moral standards and confronts threats from dangerous individuals who seek his downfall. Directed by Nobuhiro Doi, Takeyoshi Yamamoto, and Hiroshi Adachi, the narrative is based on the eponymous manga series written and illustrated by Shôhei Manabe. Looking for shows similar to ‘Sins of Kujo’ that feature legal complexities, flawed characters, and entertaining stories? You can check out this list.
10. Snowfall (2017-2023)
FX’s ‘Snowfall’ is set during the dawn of the crack epidemic in the 1980s and centers on an African-American crime network, run by the ambitious Franklin Saint (Damson Idris). As the criminals navigate the treacherous path of selling crack cocaine in South Central LA, they run into unexpected challenges. Beyond the drug trade, the series also delves into the CIA’s entanglement in Nicaragua’s anti-communist conflict and the effects of it. As narcotics proliferate in the streets, the stakes get higher for Franklin and the others, whose fates seem to be intertwined. Created by John Singleton, Eric Amadio, and Dave Andron, the crime drama series is a puzzling portrait of crime and redemption. The show’s navigation of street-level crimes, the lives of criminals, and moral debates complements ‘Sins of Kujo.’
9. The Lincoln Lawyer (2022-)
Created by David E. Kelley and Ted Humphrey, Netflix’s ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ centers on the ups and downs in the life of Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), an idealistic lawyer who handles various cases across LA. After being away from the limelight for nearly a year due to an accident and drug addiction, Mickey returns to the courtroom to earn redemption. His life takes a dramatic turn with the murder of fellow lawyer, Jerry Vincent.
This incident leads to Mickey inheriting Vincent’s practice, which also makes him responsible for the legal representation of Trevor Elliott, a man accused of killing his wife and her lover. As Mickey realizes that Jerry’s killer might now be targeting him, he must come to terms with the nature of his new reality. Based on the books ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ and ‘The Brass Verdict’ by Michael Connelly, the legal drama series, akin to ‘Sins of Kujo,’ explores the ethical tensions in a lawyer’s life as he navigates the dangers of the profession and represents alleged criminals.
8. Giri/Haji (2019)
‘Giri/Haji’ is the story of Tokyo detective Kenzo Mori (Takehiro Hira), who travels to London looking for his brother, Yuto (Yōsuke Kubozuka). Kenzo does so because he thinks that his brother might be alive, despite rumors signaling his death. When it comes to light that Yuto may have killed a Yakuza member’s nephew, a gang war looms in Tokyo. Kenzo’s investigation leads him into London’s dangerous, corrupt criminal underworld, where he is challenged in unforeseen ways.
As Kenzo teams up with a cop named Sarah Weitzmann (Kelly Macdonald) to continue his brave journey in London, darker secrets lurk in the shadows. Created by Joe Barton, the British crime drama show captures the essence of ‘Sins of Kujo’ through its focus on criminal behavior, psychological tensions, and moral dilemmas.
7. Your Honor (2020-2023)
Showtime’s ‘Your Honor,’ a crime drama series created by Peter Moffat, follows the story of Michael Desiato (Bryan Cranston), a well-known New Orleans judge who commands the respect of the local community. When Michael’s teenage son, Adam Desiato (Hunter Doohan), is involved in an accidental hit-and-run, killing another teenager, Michael initially intends for his son to surrender. However, he quickly alters his plan upon discovering that the deceased boy was the son of a powerful New Orleans organized crime boss.
Driven to protect Adam, the judge embroils himself in a dangerous legal game with several players looking to make his life hell. With his son’s life on the line, Michael may have to cross moral boundaries that have defined his life so far. Based on the Israeli show ‘Kvodo,’ the narrative shares similarities with ‘Sins of Kujo’ in that it involves a legal professional defending an offender while also facing threats from criminals.
6. How to Get Away with Murder (2014-2020)
Created by Peter Nowalk, ABC’s ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ deals with the trials and tribulations of Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), a defense attorney and law professor who leads a life of secrecy, fueled by her legal expertise. Her professional life spirals into a dark situation when five of her students become implicated in the mysterious murder of a young sorority girl. As the university is rocked by the investigation, students find themselves in a precarious position, forced to apply their legal knowledge while grappling with significant moral and ethical implications. However, Keating is confident of her ability to help people get away with murder. The legal drama series, similar to ‘Sins of Kujo,’ involves profound ethical and moral issues, legal complexities, and a character ready to defend alleged guilty individuals.
5. Damages (2007-2012)
‘Damages’ explores the intricate professional and emotional relationship between the elite litigator Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) and Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), Patty’s protégée, who is still an amateur in the field. The FX legal thriller series follows Patty’s determined effort to secure a victory by any means necessary in a major lawsuit. She represents the former employees of a corporation against its former CEO, Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson). As Patty and Ellen’s dynamics evolve, they learn more about the intricacies of the legal profession. Created by Daniel Zelman, Glenn Kessler, and Todd A. Kessler, the show complements ‘Sins of Kujo’ in that it is a grounded examination of the layers of the lives of lawyers, with a focus on crime, justice, and morality.
4. The Devil Judge (2021)
Created by Kim Je-hyeon, ‘The Devil Judge’ or ‘Angmapansa’ is a South Korean crime drama series set in a dystopian future. The narrative follows Kang Yo-han (Ji Sung), a chief judge who becomes a popular hero for his ruthless punishments against criminals. He transforms the courtroom into a public spectacle and punishes people by popular vote. His primary rival is Jung Sun-ah, who wields significant power and works for an organization that allows her to influence societal leaders. With Kang harboring secrets and his motivations uncertain, he finds himself in unforeseen situations. The show shares the visual and thematic aesthetics of ‘Sins of Kujo,’ shedding light on the moral boundaries of the judicial system and the consequences of crime.
3. Ushijima the Loan Shark (2010-)
‘Ushijima the Loan Shark’ or ‘Yamikin Ushijima-kun’ is a Japanese drama series that centers on the unique life of loan shark Kaoru Ushijima (Takayuki Yamada), the head of Kaukau Finance, a ruthless black market money lending operation. By charging exorbitant interest promptly, Ushijima operates as a lender of last resort for the area’s most vulnerable and financially desperate people. Despite the questionable moral premise of his operation, he chooses to follow this pattern of life.
Through his perspective, the narrative portrays the harsh realities faced by the borrowers as the loan shark relentlessly and effectively pursues debt collection. Created by Shôhei Manabe, the show is adapted from Manabe’s eponymous manga series. The narrative bears a spiritual resemblance to ‘Sins of Kujo’ in its exploration of a man who seemingly doesn’t care about the line between right and wrong in his pursuit of professional achievement.
2. Ray Donovan (2013-2020)
Created by Ann Biderman, Showtime’s ‘Ray Donovan’ is a crime drama show set in the world of powerful, wealthy people in LA. Driven by his skills, Ray Donovan (Liev Schreiber) manages bribes, threats, and other deals for his celebrity clients and fixes every problem that they encounter. Devoted to his family but with a strained marriage, his life takes a turn when his menacing father, Mickey Donovan (Jon Voight), is unexpectedly released from prison. As the FBI targets Mickey, Ray struggles to keep his family from the ensuing turmoil. With Ray’s life at a crossroads, he may have to make difficult choices to survive the ordeal. The narrative reflects the themes and visuals of ‘Sins of Kujo’ through its commentary on moral standards and the dangerous involvement of a man in the field of crime through association.
1. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
AMC’s ‘Better Call Saul’ is a crime drama series that functions as both a prequel to ‘Breaking Bad’ and a continuation, incorporating moments that occur after the Walter White saga concludes. Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, it centers on Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) and his transformation from a modest Albuquerque lawyer into the infamous criminal attorney known as Saul Goodman. Though Jimmy starts at the lower levels, his destiny leads him towards dangerous players like Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) and Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito).
Jimmy explores the dark underbelly of crime in Albuquerque, which shapes his morality and his relentless efforts to defend criminals and others with questionable histories. Like Taiza Kujo in ‘Sins of Kujo,’ Jimmy must not only fight his cases but also deal with those who question him about his moral and ethical standards. The visual elements and the raw portrayal of social desperation connect the two shows on a greater level.
Read More: Sins of Kujo Ending Explained
