Government Crime Investigation Agent Zaizen Jotaro

After Japan's economic bubble burst the country slowly recovered, but dirty politicians still make deals with dirty businessmen so that they can both profit from the hard work of others. Keiichi Suzuki, head of Ōshika Construction, and Seijiro Matsuzaka, one of the members of parliament, have a deal going on that allows Ōshika Construction to use fewer materials in their projects while still letting their buildings get approved for business use. Unfortunately for them, the Government Crime Investigation Agency, the Japanese government-approved but independently-run equivalent to the FBI, is already on the move. Jotaro Zaizen, a long-thought-dead police officer, is the agent on the Ōshika case and gathers a group of people who have reasons to fight Suzuki and Matsuzaka. To help combat the GCIA, though, Suzuki hires the Haoukokuryu-kai, a yakuza group.

Directed by Watanabe Yasuhiro, Kitashiba Ken, Government Crime Investigation Agent Zaizen Jotaro leans on a strong ensemble — Teruaki Ogawa — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about animation titles of 2006.