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Plot summary

The Mole Song: Final (2021) Plot Summary & Timeline

The Mole Song: Final (2021) movie poster

The Mole Song: Final is a 2021 comedy and action film directed by Takashi Miike, running 2 hours 9 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 305 words (about 1 minute to read) and covers 12 key events in order, 4 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for The Mole Song: Final.

to read the plot summary
1 min
key events in the timeline
12
characters profiled
4
themes explained
3
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The Mole Song: Final (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m
Director
Takashi Miike
Genres
Comedy, Action, Crime
Original language
Japanese
Studio
Toho
No spoilers

What Is The Mole Song: Final About?

The premise of The Mole Song: Final in 268 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a world where the line between lawful duty and street‑wise hustle blurs into a never‑ending game of deception, Reiji Kikukawa—known in the underworld as “The Mole”—has built his reputation on slipping through cracks that most never even notice. With a reputation for daring undercover work, he now faces the most consequential assignment of his career, one that threatens to upend his plans for a quieter life and a looming marriage proposal. The stakes are colossal, demanding that he thwart a massive operation that could shift the balance of power across the criminal landscape.

The mission thrusts him onto a glittering luxury passenger ship, a floating micro‑city of indulgence that floats far above the gritty streets where he feels most at home. Within the ship’s opulent decks and polished corridors, danger disguises itself behind champagne toasts and panoramic views, and a shadowy, formidable adversary looms, promising a clash that will test every trick Reiji has ever mastered. The setting swirls with a kinetic mix of comedy, style, and tension, turning a seemingly carefree cruise into a high‑stakes cat‑and‑mouse dance.

Meanwhile, his personal world collides with his professional one as Junna, his determined girlfriend, pursues her own path aboard the same vessel, seeking a brief escape from the turbulence of their relationship. Their connection adds a layer of emotional urgency, pulling Reiji between the pull of love and the relentless call of duty. The film balances rapid‑fire action with sharp humor, painting a vivid portrait of a man who must navigate a sea of extravagance, rivalry, and personal longing—all while staying true to the Mole’s unorthodox brand of justice.

Full plot

What Happens in The Mole Song: Final?

The complete story of The Mole Song: Final, from the first scene to the last, in 305 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Undercover investigator Reiji Kikukawa, Toma Ikuta, known as The Mole, uncovers a bold plan by Shuho Todoroki Koichi Iwaki, head of the Sukiya-kai, to purchase a shipping container filled with 10 tons of amphetamines camouflaged as pasta, in a deal brokered with the Italian Guillotina Family led by Don Razza. The police assign Reiji the task of intercepting the deal and arresting Shuho at the moment of exchange, a mission designed to derail his return to ordinary life and threaten his long-awaited marriage proposal to his girlfriend Junna Wakaki Riisa Naka.

As the transaction unfolds, Shuho’s son Leo arrives to finalize the arrangement, raising the stakes and forcing Reiji to improvise under pressure. He discovers that Shuho is safely aboard the Costa Firenze, a ship flying an Italian flag that prevents a straightforward search by Japanese authorities. Undeterred, Reiji makes his way aboard, while Junna is nearby on a singles’ cruise, trying to put thoughts of their relationship behind her for a while.

Masaya Hiura, “Crazy Papillon” Shin’ichi Tsutsumi, wages a personal vendetta against the drug-connected yakuza and attempts to shoot Shuho. Yet Reiji intervenes, admitting his long-running role as a mole within their circle to ensure Shuho remains alive long enough for a lawful arrest. The tension between loyalty and duty comes to a head as Shuho is finally restrained, and Masaya’s crusade against the drug trade continues to push forward in the shadows.

Back on dry land, Reiji returns to the police force, while Junna’s career takes a surprising turn, culminating in a promotion that elevates her to a supervisory role in Reiji’s life. The story threads together undercover deception, high-stakes law enforcement, and the shifting dynamics of a couple navigating a dangerous underground world, leaving the door open for new questions about trust, loyalty, and what it truly means to come home.

Timeline

The Mole Song: Final Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

12 key events in the order they happen, from “Undercover assignment activated” to “Aftermath: the network's disruption”. 12 events name a place, across 5 locations.

  1. 1

    Undercover assignment activated

    Reiji Kikukawa, known as The Mole, discovers that Shuho Todoroki plans to buy 10 tons of amphetamines disguised as pasta from the Italian Guillotina Family led by Don Razza. He is ordered by the police to monitor the deal and arrest Shuho at the moment of transfer. This mission will delay Reiji's return to normal life and his marriage proposal to Junna.

    When:Before the deal Where:Police HQ, Tokyo

  2. 2

    The mission tightens Reiji's personal timeline

    The police assign Reiji to intercept the handoff, forcing him to sacrifice his personal timeline for the operation. The assignment promises a high-stakes capture that could define his career. He accepts, knowing his future with Junna hinges on the outcome.

    When:Pre-deal Where:Police HQ, Tokyo

  3. 3

    Leo arrives to close the deal on the ship

    During the handoff, Shuho's son Leo arrives to perform the deal in place of his father. The target remains a container of 10 tons of amphetamines disguised as pasta, ready to move across the sea on the Costa Firenze.

    When:During the deal Where:Costa Firenze

  4. 4

    Shuho is aboard Costa Firenze

    Reiji realizes Shuho is aboard the Costa Firenze, a vessel sailing under an Italian flag that cannot be searched by Japanese police. This complicates the operation, forcing a plan to board and arrest him at sea.

    When:During the deal Where:Costa Firenze

  5. 5

    Reiji boards the ship; Junna on a parallel cruise

    Reiji makes his way onto the Costa Firenze to close the net, while Junna is on a separate singles' cruise to forget about him. The parallel journeys heighten the tension as the pursuit moves from dock to deck.

    When:During the deal Where:Costa Firenze

  6. 6

    Masaya's assassination attempt on Shuho

    Masaya Hiura, also known as Crazy Papillon, attempts to shoot Shuho Todoroki to wipe out rivals in the drug trade. Reiji's priority is to keep Shuho alive so he can be arrested, leading him to intervene when Masaya draws his weapon.

    When:During the deal Where:Costa Firenze

  7. 7

    The mole's confession halts the attacker

    To stop Masaya, Reiji reveals that he has been Shuho's mole and ally for their entire friendship. The revelation destabilizes Masaya and buys time for the arrest operation. The mood shifts from pursuit to a tense confession on the ship.

    When:During the confrontation Where:Costa Firenze

  8. 8

    Shuho Todoroki is arrested

    Shuho Todoroki is arrested alive as law enforcement closes in aboard the Costa Firenze. The planned shipment is thwarted as officers secure the suspect and seize evidence.

    When:End of the deal Where:Costa Firenze

  9. 9

    Masaya continues his anti-drug crusade

    Masaya continues his crusade against drug-dealing yakuza members, pursuing the war on the drug trade even after Shuho's arrest. His vigilantism clashes with formal law enforcement and hints at ongoing conflicts within the underworld.

    When:Post-arrest Where:Urban Japan

  10. 10

    Reiji returns to the police force

    Reiji returns to the police force, resuming his official duties after the high-stakes operation. The mission ends with him back in the system, though the experience lingers as a personal turning point.

    When:Post-arrest Where:Police HQ

  11. 11

    Junna's promotion reshapes their dynamic

    Junna is promoted and becomes Reiji's superior, reshaping their professional dynamic. They navigate the new power structure while continuing to coordinate their roles within the police.

    When:Post-promotion Where:Police HQ

  12. 12

    Aftermath: the network's disruption

    The 10-ton amphetamine shipment is halted at sea, and Shuho's network is disrupted by the arrest. While Masaya's crusade persists, the immediate drug pipeline is broken and Reiji's identity as a mole is revealed to alter their future work.

    When:Aftermath Where:Sea / Offshore

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in The Mole Song: Final?

4 characters, among them Reiji Kikukawa (Toma Ikuta), Shuho Todoroki (Koichi Iwaki) and Junna Wakaki (Riisa Naka): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • RK

    Reiji Kikukawa (Toma Ikuta)

    Played by Toma Ikuta

    Undercover investigator known as 'The Mole', Reiji balances a dangerous double life as he infiltrates the yakuza network. He is tasked with catching Shuho Todoroki while risking exposure of his true allegiance. His actions propel the mission and complicate his personal life, including a postponed marriage proposal to Junna.

    • 🕵️ Undercover
    • 🧭 Dual life
    • ❤️ Loyalty
  • ST

    Shuho Todoroki (Koichi Iwaki)

    Played by Koichi Iwaki

    Head of the Sukiya-kai, Shuho is the calculating mastermind behind the illicit drug deal. He represents organized crime’s international reach, planning operations that cross borders and threaten lives. His arrest comes as police close in during the Costa Firenze deal.

    • 💼 Power
    • 🗺️ International reach
    • 🧾 Crime boss
  • JW

    Junna Wakaki (Riisa Naka)

    Played by Riisa Naka

    Reiji’s girlfriend who tries to move on from the relationship, even joining a singles cruise to forget him. Her arc intersects with his, culminating in a promotion that places her in a position of authority over Reiji. She embodies ambition and resilience in a restricted sphere.

    • ❤️ Love
    • 👩‍💼 Career woman
  • MH

    Masaya Hiura (Shin'ichi Tsutsumi)

    Played by Shin'ichi Tsutsumi

    Known as 'Crazy Papillon', Masaya leads a crusade against drug-dealing yakuza. He aims to eliminate key players but must contend with Reiji’s undercover strategy, which stalls his own plans. His actions escalate tension and underscore a vigilant pursuit of justice.

    • 🔥 Vendetta
    • 🪤 Recklessness
    • 🦅 Crusade
Setting

Where and When Is The Mole Song: Final Set?

The Mole Song: Final is set in Costa Firenze and Japan. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

Costa Firenze, Japan

The action unfolds aboard the Costa Firenze, an Italian-flag cruise ship acting as the stage for a drug deal disguised as pasta. The voyage places the operation in international waters, complicating jurisdiction and search efforts. A parallel scene unfolds on a singles cruise where Junna tries to forget him, highlighting the ship as a floating setting of crime, loyalty, and law enforcement.

  • ⚓️ Ship setting
  • 🌊 International waters
  • 🇮🇹 Italian-flag cruise
Themes

What Are the Themes of The Mole Song: Final?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Deception, Duty & Loyalty and Power & Crime.

  1. 01

    Deception

    Reiji operates as a mole, living a double life as he navigates police duties and a dangerous yakuza world. He is tasked with catching Shuho Todoroki while risking exposure of his true allegiance. His actions propel the mission and complicate his personal life, including a postponed marriage proposal to Junna.

  2. 02

    Duty & Loyalty

    The characters balance personal desire with professional obligation, particularly Reiji’s struggle between his relationship with Junna and his undercover work. Junna’s role evolves from lover to superior, illustrating how duty reshapes intimate bonds. The story emphasizes the costs and necessity of loyalty in pursuing justice.

  3. 03

    Power & Crime

    The Sukiya-kai’s drug network demonstrates how organized crime wields influence across borders, from shipboard deals to international fronts. Reiji’s mission highlights the precarious line between criminal power and law enforcement. The pursuit culminates in the arrest that returns balance to the protagonists and the system.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is The Mole Song: Final?

Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Light
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Happy

An over-the-top, absurdist action-comedy that follows a flamboyant undercover cop on a chaotic mission aboard a cruise ship, blending high-energy set pieces with quirky humor and a lighthearted romantic thread.

  • humorous
  • action-packed
  • quirky
  • lighthearted
  • energetic
  • absurd
  • undercover cop
  • yakuza
  • drug smuggling
  • transnational crime

Content notes: crime violence, drug trade.

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5 films close to The Mole Song: Final in story and themes that have a full plot summary here: Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Final Episode (1974) and Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo (1978) lead. 1 of them comes with the ending explained.

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FAQ

The Mole Song: Final Plot Questions

5 quick answers about The Mole Song: Final, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is The Mole Song: Final about?

In a world where the line between lawful duty and street‑wise hustle blurs into a never‑ending game of deception, Reiji Kikukawa—known in the underworld as “The Mole”—has built his reputation on slipping through cracks that most never even notice.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does The Mole Song: Final take place?

The Mole Song: Final is set in Costa Firenze and Japan. The action unfolds aboard the Costa Firenze, an Italian-flag cruise ship acting as the stage for a drug deal disguised as pasta.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in The Mole Song: Final?

The story follows Reiji Kikukawa (Toma Ikuta) (played by Toma Ikuta), Shuho Todoroki (Koichi Iwaki) (played by Koichi Iwaki), Junna Wakaki (Riisa Naka) (played by Riisa Naka) and Masaya Hiura (Shin'ichi Tsutsumi) (played by Shin'ichi Tsutsumi).

All the characters

What are the main themes of The Mole Song: Final?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Deception, Duty & Loyalty and Power & Crime.

The themes explained

Who directed The Mole Song: Final?

The Mole Song: Final (2021) was directed by Takashi Miike and runs 2 hours 9 minutes.

Takashi Miike’s films

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