THE DAYS plot: what the series is about
THE DAYS is a Japanese drama that revisits one of the most frightening chapters in recent history: the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of 2011. Built on real events and drawn from a book, the series places viewers inside the plant and the power company as the disaster begins to unfold.
When the earthquake strikes and the tsunami follows, the people working at the plant suddenly face a crisis no one has ever handled before. The danger is radiation, which they cannot see or touch, and the clock is running. The story follows the workers on site, their superiors and the officials watching from a distance as they try to understand what is happening and how to stop it.
The tagline sums up the central question: “What happened there on that day?” Rather than a sweeping disaster spectacle, the show focuses on the human side of the emergency: the pressure, the hard decisions and the people at the centre of it.
THE DAYS review guide: what makes it notable
- Based on a true story: The series draws on the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and is adapted from a book about the events.
- Veteran cast: Koji Yakusho leads as Masao Yoshida. He is joined by Yutaka Takenouchi (Maekawa), Fumiyo Kohinata (Azuma), Kaoru Kobayashi (Furuya), Takuma Otoo (Kinoshita) and Ken Mitsuishi (Murakami). Kenichi Endo, Yuriko Ishida, Yuki Izumisawa and Tomomi Maruyama also appear.
- Behind the camera: Directed by Hideo Nakata and Masaki Nishiura, with a screenplay by Jun Masumoto.
- A Netflix production: THE DAYS was made for Netflix and premiered on June 1, 2023.
- Compact format: One season of 8 episodes, each running about 66 minutes. The series has ended, so it is a complete story that can be watched from start to finish.
- Genre: A dark drama with crime elements, centred on disaster and its aftermath.
Who will enjoy THE DAYS
- Viewers who are drawn to dramas based on real historical events
- Fans of tense, serious disaster stories that focus on people rather than spectacle
- Anyone interested in Japan and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
- Admirers of Koji Yakusho and other veteran Japanese actors
- Those looking for a short, complete series with no ongoing seasons to wait for
Where to watch THE DAYS in the Philippines
In the Philippines, THE DAYS is listed on Netflix, which is a subscription service. You need an active Netflix plan to stream it. The series premiered on Netflix on June 1, 2023. A separate Philippines-specific release date is not yet listed. Netflix is currently the only official platform listed for the series in the Philippines.
Trailer
Cast
Koji Yakushoas Masao Yoshida8 episodes
Yutaka Takenouchias Maekawa8 episodesSee credits →
Fumiyo Kohinataas Azuma8 episodes
Kaoru Kobayashias Furuya8 episodesSee credits →
Takuma Otooas Kinoshita8 episodesSee credits →
Ken Mitsuishias Murakami8 episodes
Kenichi Endo8 episodes
Yuriko Ishida8 episodesSee credits →
Photo: TMDB
Episode guide
| Season | Episode | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Aired | |
| 1 | 2 | Aired | |
| 1 | 3 | Aired | |
| 1 | 4 | Aired | |
| 1 | 5 | Aired | |
| 1 | 6 | Aired | |
| 1 | 7 | Aired | |
| 1 | 8 | Aired |
Dates are original broadcast dates in the country of origin (Korea/China). Official streaming platforms in your country may add episodes the same day or later.
FAQ
- How many episodes does THE DAYS have?
- THE DAYS has one season with 8 episodes, each running about 66 minutes. The series has ended.
- Where can I watch THE DAYS legally in the Philippines?
- THE DAYS is listed on Netflix in the Philippines, which requires a subscription.
- Who is in the cast of THE DAYS?
- Koji Yakusho stars as Masao Yoshida, alongside Yutaka Takenouchi, Fumiyo Kohinata, Kaoru Kobayashi, Takuma Otoo, Ken Mitsuishi, Kenichi Endo, Yuriko Ishida, Yuki Izumisawa and Tomomi Maruyama.
- When did THE DAYS premiere?
- THE DAYS premiered on Netflix on June 1, 2023. A separate Philippine release date is not yet listed.
- What is THE DAYS about, and is it based on a true story?
- Yes. It is a Japanese drama based on real events and adapted from a book. It follows the people caught up in the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
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