The Japanese crime drama Matori & Kyoken Men in the Back Alleys is speeding toward its finale. Episode 8 aired in Japan on March 18, 2026, bringing viewers one step closer to the conclusion of Umezawaโs dangerous double life.
For fans following the series, the latest episode intensifies the pressure on the former child actor turned double spy. With only one episode left after this, the story is reaching a critical point where Umezawaโs secret could be exposed at any moment.
Episode 8 Release and Streaming Details
Matori & Kyoken Men in the Back Alleys Episode 8 first aired in Japan on March 18, 2026, on MBS at 1:00 a.m. JST. Japanese viewers can also catch the episode on TVer.
For international audiences, the wait continues. Netflix will release Episode 8 on March 29, 2026. A subscription is required to stream the show. Plans start at $7.99 per month for the ad-supported tier in the United States. The series is available for viewers in the UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other regions where Netflix carries Japanese dramas.
The series has a total of nine episodes. This makes Episode 8 the second-to-last installment before the season finale.
What Happened in Episode 7
The previous episode set up the dangerous situation Umezawa now finds himself in. Episode 7 showed Aoi being questioned by narcotics officers about her connection to Kaga. The officers noticed the hesitation marks on her hands and promised to arrest Kaga for what he did to her.
On the other side, Katsuragi saw an opportunity. He knew narcotics agents could perform sting operations while regular police could not. So he ordered Umezawa to convince Kurosaki to stop digging into the Nagata and Saeki families. Katsuragi made it clear that Umezawa had to pass all details to the police first. He also warned Umezawa that if Kurosaki got suspicious, there would be no way to save him.
Umezawa had no choice but to follow orders. He successfully convinced Kurosaki to shift focus. Kurosaki showed a softer side when he handed Umezawa a lucky card, saying he wanted to protect him.
Episode 7 also brought back Matsubara, who beat Umezawa and demanded he work for the Saeki family to pay back his debts. Umezawa agreed and started working for Ryu Saeki, the leader of the family. Ryu is known to be a clean freak, and Umezawa passed his first test by cleaning the headquarters perfectly. At the end of the episode, Ryu asked Umezawa to collect the monthly cocaine shipment.
What Episode 8 Brings
Episode 8 pushes Umezawa further into danger. Ryu Saeki begins to suspect Umezawa when he shares smuggling details with Katsuragi. Thinking Umezawa is dealing cocaine without permission, Ryu beats him and demands more information.
The situation gets even more complicated when Matsubara, who was injured in a previous incident, is brought in. This puts Umezawa in an impossible spot. He must figure out who he can trust while trying to survive the beating and keep his cover intact.
Kurosaki arrives to help, but it is unclear whether he can save Umezawa without exposing their arrangement. The episode tests how far both Kurosaki and Katsuragi are willing to go to protect their spy.
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Main Cast of the Series
The drama features a strong cast led by Nishihata Daigo as Umezawa Kyonosuke. Hosoda Yoshihiko plays Kurosaki Toru, the narcotics agent who first recruited Umezawa. Mukai Osamu takes on the role of Katsuragi Akito, the police officer who also forces Umezawa to work for him. Morita Kokoro appears as Sugihara Aoi, and Kujo Joe plays Kaga Hibiki.
The series is based on the manga Matori to Kyoken: Rodjiura no Otokotachi by Tajima Takashi and Masashi. Shinagawa Hiroshi directs, with scripts by Hattori Takashi.
Episode 8 is now available in Japan, and international fans can look forward to the Netflix release on March 29.
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