Digital Tattoo (Japanese TV Drama)

Digital Tattoo (Japanese: デジタル・タトゥー) is a Japanese television drama series that premiered on NHK on May 18, 2019. The series explores the complexities of internet defamation, privacy, and the lasting impact of personal information exposed online, a concept often referred to as a "digital tattoo" that is difficult to erase.

Promotional image for Digital Tattoo — Promotional visual for the NHK drama Digital Tattoo.

Plot

The narrative centers on Kentaro Iwai, a former prosecutor turned attorney who specializes in helping individuals victimized by online harassment and the unauthorized disclosure of personal data. The story begins when Iwai is approached by Taiga, a popular and wealthy YouTuber who has received death threats. During his investigation, Iwai discovers that Taiga is the estranged son of Shuko Ito, a politician whose past criminal activities were the subject of a case Iwai handled during his time as a prosecutor—a case that ended in the suicide of Ito's secretary.

Cast

The series features an ensemble cast, including:

Katsumi Takahashi as Kentaro Iwai
Koji Seto as Taiga (Daisuke Ito)
Erika Karata as Saki Iwai
Masato Ibu as Shuko Ito
Terunosuke Takezai as Sosuke Ito

Katsumi Takahashi, who portrays the protagonist Kentaro Iwai.

Koji Seto, who plays the YouTuber Taiga.

Production

The series was directed by Toki Kajiwara and Shinichiro Hashizume, with a screenplay written by Taeko Asano. It aired in the NHK Saturday 21:00 time slot, succeeding An Artist of the Floating World and preceding Swindle Detective, which began its run on August 31, 2019.