Zenigata Heiji (2026)

A man’s lifeless body turns up on the hallowed grounds of a shrine, his pocket holding nothing but a cryptic fragment that looks like a builder’s sketch. The moment word reaches him, Heiji plunges into the mystery. His sidekick, the street-smart patrolman Manpachi, jumps to conclusions, brushing it off as a petty theft gone wrong—but Heiji’s instincts scream otherwise. Enter Sasano Shinzaburo, the no-nonsense chief yoriki from the Minami Magistrate’s Office, who reveals the case may be tangled in a web of political intrigue far bigger than a random mugging. Convinced Heiji’s razor-sharp mind is the key, Sasano enlists his help to untangle the truth.

Meanwhile, all of Edo is buzzing over a traveling theater troupe that’s taken the city by storm. Their dazzling lead, Tsubame, bewitches every audience with her haunting voice and magnetic charm. Heiji, along with his loyal friend Hachigoro and the spirited Oshizu, who holds a special place in his heart, joins the crowd to catch the spectacle—and they’re utterly spellbound. But as the applause fades, Heiji murmurs a chilling observation: “There’s a sorrow hidden behind Tsubame’s smile.”