Season 1
10 episodes Apr 9, 2018 8.0
Overview
Dako is a con woman. She stays at a suite in a luxury hotel and schemes to take money from vicious wealthy people like yakuza bosses and evil businessmen. She works with Boku-chan and Richard. Boku-chan is a sincere and timid young con man. Richard is a veteran con man. Dako is able to master knowledge from various professions in a short period of time and disguises herself as someone working in that field. Along with Boku-chan and Richard, they carry their plans using fantastic teamwork.
Seasons
2 listed- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 10 episodes
- First aired
- Apr 9, 2018
- Last aired
- Jun 11, 2018
- Episode length
- 54m
- Network
- Fuji TV
Latest episode: S1 E10 The Confidence Man (Jun 11, 2018)
Specials
4 episodes May 17, 2019
Cast
Reviews
5 min readThe Art of the Steal: How The Confidence Man JP Turns Crime Into a Contact Sport
There’s a moment in The Confidence Man JP where Masami Nagasawa, as the titular con artist Dako, transforms into a high-powered lawyer mid-conversation. One second, she’s lounging in a hotel robe; the next, she’s in a tailored suit, spouting legal jargon with the confidence of someone who’s spent a decade at the bar. The shift isn’t just in her clothes or her posture—it’s in the way her voice drops half an octave, the way her fingers tap the table like she’s already won the case.
It’s a trick, of course. Dako has no law degree. She’s just really, really good at pretending.
And in that moment, the series does something rare: it makes the act of deception feel like a kind of magic.
That’s the central tension of The Confidence Man JP, a Japanese dramedy that treats con artistry less like a criminal enterprise and more like a team sport. The show follows Dako, her earnest young protégé Boku-chan (Masahiro Higashide), and the grizzled veteran Richard (Fumiyo Kohinata) as they swindle their way through Tokyo’s underworld, targeting yakuza bosses, corrupt CEOs, and other "vicious wealthy people" who’ve earned their comeuppance.
The premise isn’t new—heist stories and grifter narratives have been around since the dawn of storytelling—but the show’s lightness of touch and its refusal to moralize set it apart. This isn’t Ocean’s Eleven with its slick, corporate sheen, nor is it The Sting with its meticulous, clockwork plotting. It’s something looser, messier, and far more human.
The cons here aren’t about the money; they’re about the thrill of the game, the joy of outsmarting someone who thinks they’re untouchable.
The series’ greatest strength is its trio of leads, who feel less like archetypes and more like a found family. Nagasawa’s Dako is the show’s beating heart—a woman who treats deception like an art form, but whose motivations remain tantalizingly opaque. Is she in it for the money?
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Confidence Man JP: Behind the Scenes of Japan’s Hit Con-Artist Series
The Confidence Man JP (2018) became an instant hit in Japan, blending sharp comedy with slick heist storytelling. The series follows a trio of con artists—Dako (Masami Nagasawa), Boku-chan (Masahiro Higashide), and Richard (Fumiyo Kohinata)—as they swindle the rich and powerful with style. But what’s the real story behind the show’s success? latestnetflix.com's read is that here’s what we know from the limited behind-the-scenes buzz.
The Core Trio: Chemistry That Works
The show’s dynamic hinges on its lead cast. Masami Nagasawa, already a household name in Japan, brings charm and wit to Dako, the group’s mastermind. Masahiro Higashide’s Boku-chan provides the muscle (and occasional comic relief), while Fumiyo Kohinata’s Richard adds sophistication as the elder statesman of the operation. Their chemistry is palpable, with Nagasawa and Higashide’s real-life friendship often cited as a key factor in the show’s natural rapport 
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz51zWryUeo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzIPwGOBDIQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtyAFm3BJ6M
A standout moment from the series—a viral clip of Dako’s confident stride—has racked up millions of views, showcasing Nagasawa’s ability to balance humor and cunning . The cast’s playful interactions off-screen (glimpsed in official promos) suggest a set where improvisation and camaraderie were encouraged .
From TV to Film: Expanding the Franchise
The Confidence Man JP wasn’t content to stay small-screen. The series spawned multiple film adaptations, including The Confidence Man JP: The Movie (2019) and The Confidence Man JP: Princess (2020). The movies retained the same core cast and directors, with Ryo Tanaka taking the helm for the big-screen outings .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXixsRhivSM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di6394Bf0tg
Official trailers and teasers hint at the franchise’s evolution, with the films leaning into more elaborate cons and international settings. The English-language trailers suggest an attempt to broaden the show’s appeal beyond Japan, though the series remains primarily a domestic phenomenon .
Unanswered Questions and Rumors
Despite its popularity, details about the show’s production remain scarce. There’s no confirmed word on how the writing process unfolded or whether the cast had input on their characters’ arcs. Rumors of behind-the-scenes tension—common in long-running series—haven’t surfaced in any credible outlets, leaving the show’s creative process largely a mystery.
One unverified claim suggests the series was initially pitched as a darker crime drama before pivoting to its current comedic tone. Without official confirmation, this remains speculative.
Why It Works
The Confidence Man JP thrives on its blend of humor, style, and clever storytelling. The show’s ability to balance high-stakes cons with lighthearted banter keeps audiences hooked, while its visually slick aesthetic (think Ocean’s Eleven meets Japanese pop culture) sets it apart. The franchise’s expansion into films proves its staying power, though fans are left wondering if a fourth installment is in the works.
For now, the series remains a testament to the cast’s chemistry and the timeless appeal of a well-executed con.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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