Jimenshitachi

I made an IMDb account specifically to review this show. I haven't watched such a gripping drama in a long time, and as an English native I honestly wasn't expecting a Japanese thriller no less. The pacing, the exposition, character development, lead actors; all top tier. At times the acting was alittle bit faked and overboard; but those moments are literally only 1min out of 420 min.

I think what works so well is how episode 1 is basically all you need: it summarises the MO of the entire series. The rest of the series then builds on this MO slowly, adding complexities and plot junctures that keep you clicking on the next episode.

Brilliant show.

There's a growing disappointment that Japanese dramas have been declining in quality recently. Japanese TV stations commission dramas from external production companies four times a year, once each quarter. However, due to this long-standing tradition, they're now churning out predictable works that lack originality. The themes, stories, roles, and actors all seem to follow a formulaic pattern, resulting in Japanese TV series that are consumed and discarded without much impact.

In contrast, this Netflix original series is a rare gem with a solid story (based on an already highly acclaimed novel) as its foundation. The performances and unique characteristics of each role are well-portrayed, making it thoroughly engaging. Unlike the typical 10-episode structure of Japanese drama series, this one is compressed into 7 episodes, allowing for a streamlined and fast-paced narrative without unnecessary filler. This is definitely a strong point.

I'd like to praise how well the story, roles, and subject matter come together to create an excellent final product. The portrayal of the aging police detective, just six months away from retirement, is particularly noteworthy. It presents a realistic and convincing image of a seasoned investigator without falling into exaggeration. It's surprising to find charm in a gaunt, tired-looking old man, which makes this performance all the more impressive.

A refreshing and well thought series. The only downside of the series is that it is ONLY 7 episodes. The season 1 finale is a cliffhanger and I'm not sure how they can come up with season 2 if they wish to film more episodes after a successful season 1.

The series portrays the ugly side of how swindlers do things such as lies, betrayals, and murders. A great acting on all actors on how they portray their character all throughout the episodes.

The reason why I said it is refreshing is because in reality some people are really there to trick you. This series will make viewers cautious when buying real estate or land to do their due diligence before coming up with a decision.

This story is based on a real crime happened in 2017 in Tokyo. The criminal group was much bigger than in the TV series, but mostly the stories are real and it's well performed. The guy in charge (Harrison Yamanaka in the TV series) was a legendary land swindler in real story, and he committed so many real estate sales frauds in the past like in the TV series. It is an interesting show to watch.

I was not crazy about some fictional parts because some parts are so unrealistic like hitting by a car suddenly...etc.

But I enjoyed the castings and the series overall.

Btw, those criems are still actively going on in Japan 2024.

Wow. Great show. Solid narrative. Superb pace. Smashing suspense. Really excellently-written with fabulous character-development.

Characters are very interesting and dynmaic and the chemistry works super-well. From incredibly awkward paid people placed in big stake operations to the big evil boss to crazy personalities in Tokyo's underbelly. Top stuff.

I really loved this show. I'm 5/7th of my way through and I watch a lot of Japanese cinema and I'm now curious to see what other shows Hitoshi Ône will make. He has talant. This is definitely what Netflix needs more of.

Original and gripping drama with fabulous characters. Please do more of this Netflix.