Yamikin Ushijima-kun

Despite Japan’s global reputation for technological innovation and high living standards, a significant portion of its population faces severe financial hardship. Many individuals struggle to cover basic daily expenses while simultaneously battling costly addictions to gambling and alcohol. When desperation meets unchecked desire, these vulnerable people often turn to yamikin—predatory loan sharks operating in the shadows of Japan’s financial system. These lenders specialize in exploiting the financially desperate, trapping them in cycles of debt and misery that can have devastating consequences. The series has been adapted into both film and television drama formats. It received the 56th Shogakukan Manga Award for General Manga in 2011 and was honored with the Social Impact Award at the 23rd Japan Media Arts Festival in 2020.