Onihei

Onihei Hankachō, also known as Onihei Crime Record or Onihei Crime Reports in Edo, is a series of historical novels written by Japanese author Shōtarō Ikenami. Set in the Edo period, the series follows Heizo Hasegawa, a historical figure known as "Onihei" (Demon Heizo) by thieves. Heizo heads the Hitsuke Tōzoku Aratamekata, a special police force handling arson and robbery cases. He is feared by criminals but also recognized for his compassionate nature, often employing reformed criminals as informants. The novels, which began serialization in 1967, comprise 19 main books and various spin-offs. They have been adapted into numerous formats, including television dramas, live-action films, stage plays, manga, and an anime series that aired in 2017. The manga, illustrated by Takao Saito, started in 1993. The story delves into Heizo’s battles against crime, depicting the unique social fabric and human dramas of the Edo era.