The Japanese crime thriller Matori & Kyoken: Men in the Back Alleys continues to grip audiences with its intense story of a man forced to live as a double agent between two rival narcotics control units. Following the broadcast of the third episode on February 3, 2026, viewers are now eagerly waiting for the next chapter. Episode 4 is scheduled to arrive this week, continuing the show’s weekly rollout on Japanese television and global streaming platforms.
The series, which premiered on January 21, 2026, has quickly built a following due to its dark narrative and complex characters. Adapted from the seinen manga Matori to Kyoken Rodjiura no Otokotachi by writer Tajima Takashi and artist Masashi, the live-action drama brings a gritty, realistic portrayal of the underbelly of Japan’s drug trade and the law enforcement officers who operate in its shadows . The show airs on MBS in Japan and is simultaneously streamed on TVer and Netflix, making it accessible to a wide audience both domestically and internationally .
Episode 4 Release Date and Time Details
Episode 4 of Matori & Kyoken: Men in the Back Alleys will be released on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. This follows the show’s established pattern of debuting new episodes every Wednesday. The series is confirmed to have a total of ten episodes, ensuring that viewers have several more weeks of thrilling content to look forward to .
For fans in Japan, the episode airs on MBS according to the local broadcast schedule. For international viewers, the release timing is primarily dictated by Netflix, which streams the show globally. While official broadcast times can vary slightly by region, Netflix typically makes new episodes available at the same universal time to prevent piracy and ensure a synchronized global release.
Based on the release patterns of previous weeks, here is the expected release schedule for Episode 4 across different regions:
- Japan (JST): Available from the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 11.
- United States (EST): Available from the afternoon/evening of Tuesday, February 10 (due to the time difference).
- United States (PST): Available from the early afternoon of Tuesday, February 10.
- United Kingdom (GMT): Available from the late evening of Tuesday, February 10.
- India (IST): Available from the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 11.
- Australia (AEDT): Available from the mid-morning of Wednesday, February 11.
- Canada: Similar to US release times, available on the evening of February 10.
“When you’re caught between two packs of hunting dogs, the only way to survive is to make sure they keep chasing each other.” — A line that captures the predicament of the protagonist, Umezawa Kyonosuke.
Where to Watch the Series
For viewers wanting to catch up before Episode 4 drops or for those new to the series, Matori & Kyoken: Men in the Back Alleys is available on several platforms. In Japan, the show broadcasts on MBS (Mainichi Broadcasting System) and is available for catch-up on the streaming service TVer .
For global audiences, Netflix is the primary home for the series. All previously aired episodes—Episode 1, Episode 2, and Episode 3—are currently available to stream on Netflix. This allows new viewers to binge the first three episodes to get fully acquainted with the complex plot before the new episode arrives. The show is listed under Japanese TV Dramas and Thrillers, making it easy to find for subscribers interested in the genre.
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The High-Stakes Plot So Far
The series stars Nishihata Daigo as Umezawa Kyonosuke, a former child performer whose life takes a dark turn . The story begins with a fatal incident at a Roppongi nightclub, where a patron dies after using cocaine. This event links Umezawa to a drug investigation, throwing him into a world he never wanted to be part of. During a routine police raid, he is cornered by two opposing forces: Kurosaki Toru (played by Hosoda Yoshihiko), a relentless investigator from the special narcotics team known as “Matori,” and Katsuragi Akito (played by Mukai Osamu), an officer from the Drug and Firearms Control Division .
Instead of arresting him, both men force Umezawa to become an informant. This puts him in the impossible position of being a double spy, feeding information to two rival agencies that are technically on the same side but operate as fierce competitors. Episode 3, which aired on February 3, likely deepened Umezawa’s predicament, setting the stage for even more tension in the upcoming Episode 4. The cast also includes Morita Kokoro as Sugihara Aoi and Kujo Joe as Kaga Hibiki, adding layers to the intricate story .
The series is directed by Shinagawa Hiroshi, who also worked on the screenplay alongside Hattori Takashi . Their vision brings the gritty manga source material to life, focusing on the moral ambiguity of its characters and the dangerous alleyways where the law is hard to enforce.
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