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Jin (Koji Yakusho of Shall We Dance?), a straight-laced but unfocused cop, works in the robbery division. A widower for two years, Jin does his best to be there for his young daughter, Misaki (Rio Sugano), while remaining dedicated to his work. One day, Misaki is in the park and a kindly older man (Akira Emoto) fixes her bike. Jin inadvertently stumbles upon a clue in a recent robbery, and makes an arrest. The older man turns out to be the legendary burglar, Nekota. Over several days of questioning, Jin and "Neko" have a few discussions about Jin's personal life and about their respective jobs. Neko eventually confesses, telling Jin, "I'll make your name for you." Jin gets a promotion, although it turns out that Neko is suffering from piles, and apparently confessed to get free medical care. Once cured, Neko is taken on a lengthy investigation of his crimes and grows closer to Jin, teaching him the ways of a skilled burglar. With Neko's mentoring, Jin begins to excel in his work. After Neko goes to prison, Jin develops a romantic relationship with Makiko (Yui Natsukawa), the kind young woman who runs his daughter's daycare center. But when they get too intimate, Misaki reacts badly, refusing to eat for several days. Jin reluctantly breaks off the relationship. Years later, Neko is released from prison and stops by to let Jin know that he is not retiring from his life of crime. Jin soon learns that his old mentor is committing robberies again, and concealing a secret. The Hunter and the Hunted was shown at the 2004 New York Asian American International Film Festival and marks the feature debut of director Izuru Narushima. It was scripted by Yoshiko Kaomatsu and Satoshi Fukushima, based on a story by Satoshi Iizuka.