Ushijima the Loan Shark
Japanese manga series
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Ushijima the Loan Shark (Japanese: 闇金ウシジマくん, Hepburn: Yamikin Ushijima-kun) is a Japanese manga series by Shohei Manabe. The series was serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine from May 2004 to May 2019. It was adapted into a live action television drama series in 2010 and into a live action film in 2012. A second live action film, Ushijima the Loan Shark 2, was released on May 16, 2014.[1][2] Two other live action films, Ushijima the Loan Shark 3, and Ushijima the Loan Shark The Final have also been released.
| Ushijima the Loan Shark | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First tankōbon volume cover | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 闇金ウシジマくん (Yamikin Ushijima-kun) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Manga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Written by | Shohei Manabe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by | Shogakukan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Magazine | Weekly Big Comic Spirits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Original run | May 10, 2004 – March 4, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volumes | 46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In 2011, the series won the 56th Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga.
Plot
Cow Cow Finance is an unlicensed moneylending operation that offers loans at exorbitant interest rates of 50% over ten days. The company recruits Takada, a former host, as a new employee. Under the cold and ruthless leadership of its president, Kaoru Ushijima, Takada initially struggles with fear and unease. However, he gradually adapts to the harsh environment, working alongside senior employees to issue loans and collect debts.
Every day, desperate individuals—people with no means to secure their next meal—flood the office, seeking financial relief. The story follows the relentless and often brutal world of underground finance, where both lenders and borrowers are trapped in a cycle of exploitation and survival.
Characters
- Takayuki Yamada (TV drama and film) as Kaoru Ushijima
- Nana Katase (TV drama and film) as Chiaki Okubo
- Kyosuke Yabe (TV drama and film) as Ezaki
- Hiromi Sakimoto (TV drama and film) as Takada
- Jessica Kizaki (TV drama and film) as Moko
Media
Manga
Written and illustrated by Shohei Manabe, Ushijima the Loan Shark was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Weekly Big Comic Spirits from May 10, 2004,[3] to March 4, 2019.[4] Shogakukan collected its chapters in forty-six tankōbon volumes, released from July 30, 2004,[5] to May 30, 2019.[6]
A spin-off manga by Yū Hayato, titled Nikumamushi Densetsu, began serialization on Shogakukan's Yawaraka Spirits manga service in February 2017.[7]
A spin-off manga by Ōdō Yamazaki, titled Gaiden: Ramen Namerikawa-san, was serialized on the Yawaraka Spirits manga service between December 2017 and May 2019.[8][9]
Another spin-off manga by Ōdō Yamazaki, titled Shōnen-in Ushijima-kun, began serialization on Shogakukan's MangaONE app on January 30, 2023.[10]
A spin-off manga by Satoshi Sasasani, titled Naniwa Time Slip Aizawa-kun, began serialization in Shogakukan's Monthly Big Comic Spirits on April 26, 2024. The spin-off centers around Aizawa time traveling to the 90s.[11]
A spin-off manga by Youichi, titled Namerikawa-Gumi Yakuza Meshi, began serialization on Yawaraka Spirits on March 24, 2025.[12]
Drama
In 2010, the manga series was adapted into a TV drama.[13]
Film
In 2012, the manga was adapted into a live-action film, with the cast and staff from the TV drama reprising their roles.[14]
Reception
In 2011, the series won the 56th Shogakukan Manga Award in the general category.[15][16]
By March 2022, the manga had over 21 million copies in circulation.[17]