Invisible

This ten part Japanese series is centred on an unlikely pair. Takafumi Shimura a detective determined to bring the person who killed his junior partner three years previously to justice and Kiriko, a mysterious woman who identifies herself as 'Invisible', a near mythical underworld crime coordinator. Shimura's mission to catch his partner's killer remains an ongoing plot line through the series while individual murder mysteries occupy each episode; each involving a mysterious underworld character such as 'Trainer' and 'Doctor'.

I thought this series was rather fun, even if it wasn't quite as good as other Japanese series I've watched lately. The nature of the criminal network is hardly realistic but that isn't the point of the show; each unlikely criminal is enjoyably varied. There are some interesting twists, especially in the longer running plot lines. Once the villain is exposed this person becomes a delightfully over the top pantomime villain. The cast is solid, especially our two leads. Overall not the best Japanese crime drama I've seen but still rather fun.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

I made it through two episodes before I gave up. The show is basically a string of standalone "monster of the week" episodes tied together with a gossamer thin narrative thread. Some people have compared it with The Blacklist, another show I gave up on mainly due to the fact that I can't stand James Spader.

Perhaps it was a mistake that I had just sat through Heaven and Hell: Soul Exchange, also starring Issey Takahashi, before watching this show. It too was a cop show with quite lackluster narrative and Japanese style overacting. I'm sure that Invisible too will turn into a romantic melodramedy between the two leads. Although I will never know.

Invisible, a series filled with suspense and intensity, has received recognition for its engaging storyline, notable performances, and visually pleasing aesthetics. Issey Takahashi portrays the role of an obsessed detective, while Ko Shibasaki adds a mysterious dimension to her character, both contributing to the narrative's depth.

The series explores crime underworld scenarios, offering a balance of entertainment and suspense that might appeal to crime thriller enthusiasts. The unique premise and noteworthy performances contribute to the overall viewing experience. For those seeking a series that combines elements of suspense, mystery, and skilled acting, Invisible could be a consideration for inclusion in their viewing list.

I like that this series combines both individual stories that are wrapped up in one episode with an overall theme that ties the entire series together.

There is one graphics-obscured throat-cutting scene that is excessively repeated throughout the series. Could have done with a lot less of that (which is why I only give it 7 stars. A director should know when too much is too much).

Other than that, the directing and acting are both good. The ending was a bit pretentious (no spoilers) but that can be forgiven by the excellent character portrayals and the overall story.

Overall, at 10 episodes it was just right and made me wish there were more 10 episode series... as quite often 16 to 36 episodes are just too many for a lot of Asian series. I find many of the stories could easily be told and be better told in 8 to 10 episodes, but stretch it out for too long. This series was just right.

I truly appreciate well written and smart storylines, which are unpredictably and intelligent. This series delivered this. Add a cast of really believable actors with good senses of character development and ensemble interaction, and it becomes even more interesting. Then flavor with Japanese justice and tenacity, and the twists of suspense and mystery; you have a great series worthy of your time! Not wanting to spoil any of it for someone else, I'll just say the focus shift halfway through was a bit surprising; the female protagonist lead the storyline so well. But I still enjoyed it to the end. My only regret is there wasn't more!