The Way of Osaka Financing 1(1996)

The Way of Osaka Financing is a Japanese drama series that aired on Fuji TV six times between 1996 and 2005, starring SMAP's Masahiro Nakai. Based on a manga by Yuji Aoki and scripted by Ryoichi Kimizuka of Bayside Shakedown, the series blends comedy with sharp social observation. Nakai plays Tatsuyuki Haibara, a young recruit at Imperial Finance, Osaka's most prestigious lending firm. As Haibara navigates the world of debt collection and financial hardship, he witnesses the human cost of money—the sadness, complexity, and unexpected warmth that binds people together. Alongside his gruff mentor Kuwata (Kaoru Kobayashi) and a cast of seasoned colleagues, Haibara pursues his dream of becoming the company's finest agent. The series tackles raw themes like debt and desperation while maintaining a brisk, entertaining tone.