Series synopsis
Punch-Drunk Woman, also known as パンチドランク・ウーマン −脱獄まであと××日− is a Japanese crime television series that premiered on Nippon TV on January 11, 2026. It ended on April 26, 2026. It stars Ryoko Shinohara, Naohito Fujiki, Kang Ji-young and Tsutomu Takahashi.
A strict female correctional officer’s disciplined life unravels when she encounters an inmate who is connected to her deepest secret.
Premise
A strict female correctional officer’s disciplined life unravels when she encounters an inmate who is connected to her deepest secret.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Ryoko Shinohara as Kozue Fuyuki
- Naohito Fujiki as Yusuke Saeki
- Kang Ji-young as Park Ha-yoon
- Tsutomu Takahashi as Kenji Tokai
- Ichika Osaki as Minami Haneda
- Haru Kashiwagi as Tomoaki Chinen
- Sawamura Rei as Yu Uchimura
- Shinya Niiro as Shinya Sekikawa
Supporting cast
- Hiroko Nakajima as Kayoko Nakama
- Jesse as Reiji Kusaka / Haruomi Kusaka (University Student)
- Yuki Kubota as Takashi Numata
- Dancho Yasuda as Tsutomu Azuki
- Reiya Masaki as Kosaku Sorimachi
- Karuma as Ryoma Kawakita
- Hiroyuki Takagishi as Ichitaro Kumazawa
- Yuna Hoshino as Satsuki Takada
- Takashi Ukaji as Taisuke Koyanagi
- Renn Kiriyama as Kyohei Gondo
- Tomohiro Ichikawa as Hisanari Kimura
- Takato Okura as Shirato Ren
Guest cast
- Yuta Koseki as Hidehiko Ebihara
- Yamato Kochi as Hiroyasu Yoroizuka
- Toshiya Tohyama as Munemasa Shirai
- Toshihito Kokubo as Naoya Saijo
- Tomokazu Koshimura as Atsushi Nakama
- Azusa Ohara as Kozue Fuyuki (University Student)
- Kanna Kajiwara as Suzu Kusaka
- Kenya Osumi as Akihiko Kusaka
- Terunosuke Takezai as Haruomi Kusaka
- Yorie Yamashita as Seiko Fuyuki
- Meikyo Yamada as Arikata Kusaka
- Bengal as Ryuji Osada
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 15 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 10 | January 11, 2026 | March 29, 2026 |
| Season 2 | 5 | March 29, 2026 | April 26, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 The man a strict female prison guard fell in love with was a murderer behind bars. Kozue Fuyuki (Ryoko Shinohara), a prison guard at Hikawa Detention Center, is disciplined, calm, and collected. She has always been strict with herself and others, but her encounter with murderer Reiji Kusaka (Jesse) changes the fate of both Kozue and Yusuke Saeki (Naohito Fujiki), the detective investigating the case... How will Kozue transform into a "villain"?! Inspired by a true story from overseas, an unpredictable "prison break suspense" and "forbidden love" story unfolds! |
January 11, 2026 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Kozue Fuyuki (Ryoko Shinohara), a prison guard at Hikawa Detention Center, has always been strict with herself and others, but she begins to feel unsettled by the words of Reiji Kusaka (Jesse), who has been transferred to the prison on suspicion of murdering his father... Meanwhile, an important tablet containing the data of inmates is stolen by someone, putting Kozue, the head of the detention center, at risk of disciplinary action. Meanwhile, Reiji, who is plotting an escape, is also after the tablet... Who stole it? The theft marks the beginning of the countdown to the prison break! |
January 18, 2026 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 "I didn't kill my father." To Kozue Fuyuki (Ryoko Shinohara), a prison guard at Hikawa Detention Center, Kusaka Reiji (Jesse), who is suspected of murdering his father, claims his innocence. Detective Saeki Yusuke (Naohito Fujiki) says that the circumstantial evidence makes the possibility of his innocence extremely low, but... Meanwhile, Reiji approaches a cult that is plotting a prison break, asking them to join him... Soon after, a hostage situation breaks out inside the detention center! What is the motive behind the man (Ken Horiuchi) who demands a retrial in exchange for Kozue's life...? |
January 25, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 One year after the failed prison break, Kozue Fuyuki transfers to the high-tech “Smart Prison” as its first female district head, determined to rescue Reiji Kusaka—the man who sacrificed himself for her. Though they are reunited, Reiji rejects her, forcing Kozue to secretly plot his escape with help from a former detainee. Meanwhile, Detective Yusuke Saeki reappears with unclear motives, and a mysterious woman claiming to support Reiji reveals a deeper, unexpected connection to him. |
March 29, 2026 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Saeki corners Kozue with incriminating evidence linking her to Numata's murder, offering to destroy it if she agrees to leave everything behind and marry him. Refusing to back down, Kozue quietly moves forward with her daring plan to help Reiji escape from prison, enlisting an unlikely ally from inside the prison. But as Saeki tightens his surveillance and Aoshima begins to suspect the escape plot, the race toward freedom becomes more dangerous than ever. |
April 5, 2026 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 After Aoshima's suicide brings the prison escape to a disastrous end, Reiji and Kozue are separated as he is transferred to a medical facility. Refusing to abandon her mission, Kozue devises a new escape plan with the help of Shirato, despite growing opposition from her allies. Meanwhile, Detective Saeki's relentless investigation begins to draw criticism from within the police, and Kozue seeks the assistance of a dangerous new inmate whose terrifying true nature may prove to be the greatest threat of all. |
April 12, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Nippon TV |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 11, 2026 |
| Last aired | April 26, 2026 |
| Status | ended |