Notable features
Music
One of the features of this series is its opening and ending themes composed by Hiroshi Tachi, insert songs performed by Kyōhei Shibata, and original tracks written specifically for the show by various Japanese artists. From the planning stage, the production aimed for a Western-style musical aesthetic inspired by Miami Vice; by featuring exclusively English lyrics for the opening and original songs, the series pursued a stylish aesthetic that was rare for Japanese police dramas of that era. Tachi and Shibata have continued to provide songs for subsequent installment as well.
Three insert songs performed by Shibata were used in the first TV series: "Running Shot" (Episodes 10 and 12–24), "WAR" (Episodes 25–40), and "FUGITIVE" (Episodes 41–51). Each was featured during scenes highlighting the Ōshita. Among them, "Running Shot" has continued to be used in subsequent installment—excluding the Matamata and Motto.
Since Returns, the series has shifted towards emphasizing original music unique to each installment (especially instrumental tracks), and English songs are rarely used anymore. On the other hand, In Forever TV Special '98, Final 5 Days and Home Coming, remixes of original tracks from their early installment (up to Motto) are used as an homage.
Guns
One of the features of this series was its relatively detailed depiction of firearms. This was unusual for Japanese television dramas in 1986. Hundled by "BIGSHOT"—a company specializing in firearm special effects established just before the first TV series—realistic prop guns based on modelguns were created.
Attention was paid to the detailing of Takayama's handguns; a 4-inch Smith & Wesson Model 586 and an Model 49 Bodyguard, reflecting the Hiroshi Tachi's preferences, the guns was fitted with rubber grips to improve handling. From Returns onwards, the Model 586 was replaced by a custom-made Colt M1911. Takayama also frequently uses a long gun, and from Matamata onwards, scenes of him firing a Remington Model 31 while riding a motorcycle became a staple of the series.
For Ōshita, the 2-inch Colt Lawman—the same model used by the other detectives—was adopted. Unlike Takayama's, Ōshita's gun frequently changes, a 2.5-inch Colt Python (in Motto and Mottomo), a 2.5-inch Colt King Cobra (in Returns and Forever), a 3-inch S&W Model 586 in (in Madamada), and a 2-inch S&W Model 10 (in Final 5 Days and Home Coming).
The S&W Model 36 was chosen as Kaoru's handgun. Machida, a young detective who prefers a flashy style, initially used a 2-inch Colt Lawman, but switched to a 4-inch revolver with wooden grips midway through the first TV series. Subsequently, he used an S&W Model 29 (up through Mottomo), the S&W Model 586 (in Returns and Forever), and a Colt Python (in Madamada).
The handguns used by the other detectives are standardized as either the 2-inch Colt Lawman or the S&W Model 36, while uniformed officers carried the S&W M1917 or custom Model 36 (prop guns modeled after the New Nambu M60). These often appeared in Japanese police dramas before the 1990s, a time when mass-produced replicas of the M60 did not yet exist.
Since the 2005 Madamada, the handguns of the younger detectives have been largely standardized to the Glock 17 or 26.
Vehicles
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Much like Starsky & Hutch and Miami Vice, a key feature of this series is the significant attention garnered by the vehicles driven by the Takayama and Ōshita. In particular, the vehicles supplied by Nissan—used from the first TV series through the 1989 Mottomo have garnered a massive fan following, and replicas of these cars have been created.
While the detectives drove only the F31 Leopard and the Y30 Cedric/Gloria during the first TV series, the lineup expanded to include the latest models of the time in subsequent installments—such as the post-facelift R31 Skyline in the 1987 movie, the Y31 Gloria in Matamata, and the post-facelift F31 Leopard and A31 Cefiro in Motto, drawing even greater attention. Aside from the Leopard, the lineup consisted of car models that were actually widely used by the Japanese police as marked and unmarked police cars, which added to the realism. These unmarked Nissan police cars were later released as scale models by Aoshima Bunka Kyozai and TOMYTEC.
The cars primarily driven by Ōshita include the Nissan Leopard (F31), Alfa Romeo 164 Super 24V, Maserati Ghibli (AM336), Maserati Quattroporte (M139), Nissan Skyline Sedan (R34), Nissan GT-R (R35), and BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46). From Returns onwards, the cars primarily driven by Ōshita was switched to a foreign model; these were provided by importers or companies specializing in vehicles for film and television productions.
Meanwhile, Takayama—whose depicted as unable to drive a car—he would frequently commandeer motorcycles from civilians or the street to pursue suspects; in the TV series, these were exclusively Suzuki sports bikes—a brand Hiroshi Tachi promoted in commercials. From the Matamata onwards, he switched to using a Harley-Davidson chopper.
Regarding the vehicle suppliers after Mottomo, Mitsubishi Motors provided the cars for Returns and Forever The Movie, Mazda for Forever TV Special '98, and Nissan once again for the 2016 Final 5 Days.