Higuruma was defined by rigid morality paired with emotional exhaustion.
He started his career with a strong belief in justice — not just law, but fairness. He genuinely wanted to protect people who were cornered by society: the falsely accused, the poor, and the socially invisible. This made him meticulous and stubborn in court. He prepared obsessively, reviewed transcripts repeatedly, and refused shortcuts even when they benefited him.
Over time, however, his worldview fractured.
He became dis