Plot Overview
Kaiji Itou is a good-for-nothing loiterer who spends his days drinking beer and stealing hubcaps—that is, until he ends up being tricked by his former co-worker. Unable to suddenly repay his friend's huge debt all by himself, Kaiji is offered a shady deal to participate in an illegal underground gamble on a cruise ship. This turns out to be nothing more than the beginning of his new life of hell—thrown headlong into a life-threatening roller coaster of mind games, cheating, and deceit.
Season & Episode Breakdown
Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor 26 episodes
After one of his coworkers fails to repay a debt, apathetic bum Kaiji Itou is pressured by loan sharks to settle the large sum of cash. Since Kaiji has little money and no future prospects of his own, he is unable to return what his colleague borrowed. Faced with massive financial burdens, Kaiji is given an offer to board the illustrious Espoir—it is said that "one night aboard the ship, and all of your debts will be paid."
What seems like a simple night of gambling quickly turns into a game of strategy and betrayal. With the losers of the tournament being subjected to a backbreaking life of indebted servitude, Kaiji must choose his actions—and allies—carefully. However, this is only the beginning of a series of gambles that will wager Kaiji's life, testing the full extent of his wits and will to survive.
- 1 Departure 2007-10-03
- 2 Open Fire 2007-10-10
- 3 Game 2007-10-17
- 4 Failure 2007-10-24
- 5 Deadly Decision 2007-10-31
- 6 Rise and Fall 2007-11-07
- 7 Proclamation 2007-11-14
- 8 Iron Hammer 2007-11-21
- 9 Resurrection 2007-11-28
- 10 Messenger 2007-12-05
- 11 Revelry 2007-12-12
- 12 Degradation 2007-12-19
- 13 Monster 2007-12-26
- 14 Dying Spirit 2008-01-09
- 15 Heavens 2008-01-16
- 16 Fury 2008-01-23
- 17 Adversity 2008-01-30
- 18 Trifled 2008-02-06
- 19 Limit 2008-02-13
- 20 Departed Souls 2008-02-20
- 21 Heart and Soul 2008-02-27
- 22 Execution 2008-03-05
- 23 Unconventional 2008-03-12
- 24 Condition 2008-03-19
- 25 Pallid 2008-03-26
- 26 Afterglow 2008-04-02
Kaiji: Against All Rules 26 episodes
Several months after the events of the first season, Kaiji, with his appendages reattached and his debt now run up to 9.5 million yen, is still desperately seeking the elusive big score that will cancel all of his markers. Unbeknownst to him, Hyodo’s company, the Teiai Corporation, is actively searching for Kaiji, and have sent Kaiji’s old “friend” Endoh, who entered him in the high stakes games in the past, to find him.
The two meet when Kaiji chances to walk in front of Endoh’s car at a stop light, and thinking that he has found the answer to his prayers, Kaiji gets in the car with him. While Kaiji and Endoh are “happy” to see one another, and both want to see Kaiji’s debt repaid, their means to that goal couldn’t be more different.
Instead of leading Kaiji to the big score, Endoh delivers him drugged and docile to the Teiai Corporation’s secret underground labor camp where Kaiji will have an opportunity to repay his debt… with 15 years of hard labor.
- 1 Hell on Earth 2011-04-06
- 2 The Rules of the Game 2011-04-13
- 3 Shards of Fate 2011-04-20
- 4 Path to the Counterattack 2011-04-27
- 5 Abuse and Endurance 2011-05-04
- 6 The Storm Arrives 2011-05-11
- 7 The Magic Dice 2011-05-18
- 8 Nemesis 2011-05-25
- 9 Applause, and Then... 2011-06-01
- 10 Last Gamble 2011-06-08
- 11 Cheers and Sighs 2011-06-15
- 12 Heaven's Fall, Man's Fall 2011-06-22
- 13 The Clue to Beat the Bog 2011-06-29
- 14 The Survivor's Road 2011-07-13
- 15 All-in Bluff 2011-07-20
- 16 The Battle Begins 2011-07-27
- 17 Fruitless Achievement 2011-08-03
- 18 Iron Gate 2011-08-10
- 19 Trajectory of a Miracle 2011-08-17
- 20 The Difference in Destiny 2011-08-24
- 21 Certain Victory 2011-08-31
- 22 Money's Influence 2011-09-07
- 23 A Precarious Situation 2011-09-14
- 24 Wandering Silver Balls 2011-09-21
- 25 Tears of Resentment 2011-09-28
- 26 A Future For Us... 2011-10-10
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Kaiji about?
Kaiji Itou is a good-for-nothing loiterer who spends his days drinking beer and stealing hubcaps—that is, until he ends up being tricked by his former co-worker. Unable to suddenly repay his friend's huge debt all by himself, Kaiji is offered a shady deal to participate in an illegal underground gam
How many seasons and episodes does Kaiji have?
2 seasons and 52 episodes.
Is Kaiji still airing, and will there be another season?
This series has ended. It finished after 2 seasons and 52 episodes; no new season announced according to TMDB. According to TMDB; data last refreshed October 19, 2026.
Who stars in Kaiji?
Masato Hagiwara, Fumihiko Tachiki, Youichi Nishijima, Yukitoshi Tokumoto, Kunihiro Kawamoto, Nobuaki Kanemitsu.
Who is the director of Kaiji?
Yuzo Sato.
When was Kaiji released?
2007.
Where can I watch Kaiji?
Available on Smart Souq's Smart subscriptions.
