Film & Television Adaptations
Keigo Higashino's works have been adapted into dozens of films, television series, and specials across Japan, China, and Korea. The most famous is the Galileo TV series starring Masaharu Fukuyama, which became a cultural phenomenon in Japan and spawned multiple feature films.
Japanese Adaptations
The Devotion of Suspect X
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Kō Shibasaki, Shinichi Tsutsumi
The definitive adaptation. Starred Masaharu Fukuyama as Detective Galileo, launching a major film and TV franchise.
Salvation of a Saint
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Yoshino Kimura, Hiroyuki Hirayama
The second Galileo film, adapting the second novel.
Journey Under the Midnight Sun
Cast: Tomoya Nagase, Yuriko Yoshitaka
25-episode TV series adaptation of the epic novel.
Journey Under the Midnight Sun
Cast: Takaya Kamikawa, Sawamura Ikki
Earlier TV special adaptation.
The Secret
Cast: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Gō Katō, Yuriko Hoshi
The first film adaptation of a Higashino novel.
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store
Cast: Toshiyuki Nishida, Ryosuke Yamada
Film adaptation of the beloved heartwarming novel.
Malice
Cast: Toshiyuki Nishida
TV drama special adapting the first Kaga novel.
Newcomer
Cast: Hiroyuki Hirayama
TV series adaptation of Kaga's Nihonbashi investigations.
Silent Parade
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Kō Shibasaki
The third Galileo film, adapting the fourth novel.
Invisible Helix
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama
TV special adapting the fifth Galileo novel.
Shinzanmono (The Newcomer)
Cast: Hiroshi Abe
Full TV series based on Kaga's cases in Nihonbashi.
A Midsummer's Equation
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama
TV special adaptation of the third Galileo novel.
Naoko
Cast: Nanako Matsushima
TV adaptation of the psychological thriller Naoko.
Galileo (TV Series)
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Kō Shibasaki
The iconic TV series that made Detective Galileo a household name in Japan. 10 episodes + specials.
Galileo Season 2
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Yuriko Yoshitaka
Second season of the hit detective drama.
After School
Cast: Various
Adaptation of Higashino's debut novel.
Chinese Adaptations
The Devotion of Suspect X
Cast: Wang Kai, Zhang Luyi, Ruby Lin
Chinese adaptation set in mainland China. Critically acclaimed, won multiple awards.
Journey Under the Midnight Sun
Cast: Du Chun, Pan Yueming
Chinese TV adaptation, praised for its faithfulness to the novel.
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store
Cast: Wang Qianyuan, Lin Bohong
Chinese adaptation released in the same year as the Japanese version.
Korean Adaptations
The Secret
Cast: Kim Hyun-ju, Lee Hyun-woo
Korean remake of The Secret.
Notable Adaptation Facts
- The Galileo TV series (2007) was one of Japan's highest-rated dramas of the decade, averaging over 20% viewership.
- Masaharu Fukuyama played Detective Galileo in all TV and film adaptations, making him synonymous with the character across Asia.
- The Chinese adaptation of The Devotion of Suspect X (2017) won Best Picture at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
- Journey Under the Midnight Sun has been adapted six separate times across three countries — the most adapted Higashino work.