Ouroboros

Ouroboros: Kono ai koso seigi (Ouroboros: this love is justice) tells the tale of two brothers as they "descend towards hell," unstoppably moving up the ranks in the government and the Yakuza for an ultimate and bitter goal: knowledge of who killed their beloved mother and why, and subsequent revenge. As they probe into dark secrets of the past, the decisions they must make grow harder and with an ever-heavier price tag. How far will they go for justice? Who is behind the mysterious deaths? What dark secrets await them in unravelling the shadows of an intentionally burried, traumatic and haunting past?

*Pros* The show does an excellent job with character development as you feel attached to the pain and conflict of the characters, making their every choice and decision that much heavier. The premise of the show really stands out, and the acting is a perfect fit for the series. This is by far one of, if not, my favourite drama within the Japanese industry. The music and cinematography also capture every moment in a meaningful way. The soundtrack is haunting/brilliant and carries the weight of the show in every note. The acting hits home, if you weren't a previous fan of the cast - you will be after this. *Cons* Admittedly, there are a few points where it could be claimed the shark was jumped. Given the Japanese drama market, this isn't unexpected, and in my opinion this isn't a major detraction, just something to accept for what it is, albeit this comes down to a matter of opinion. It would have been fascinating to see a lead up to the events of the series as a normal detective-yakuza series. There is an interesting opportunity for a prologue series here showing each character's rise and interactions leading up to episode one.