Giri/Haji

Unbelievable! This is a perfect fusion of Asien ( Japanese) and European (British) cinema with an intelligent script, great animation parts, complex character development and outstanding actors! If you want to criticize something, there could be less brutality, but on the other hand it's a crime drama about the Yakuza. So it fits again.

How come this show has a rating below 8 stars and small-minded shows with their predictable, repetetive stories and stereotypical good guy- bad guy characters like Cobra Kay already have 3 seasons and are rated with over 8,5?! I just don't get it.

I rarely feel strong enough about a film or series to write a review, however this show was so perfect I just had to rate it. The acting, the direction, the production, the music, the script, everything was perfect. I was gripped from the beginning and each episode didn't disappoint. There were so many great, subtle touches too and innovative camerawork. Almost impossible to pick out any single actor, they were all excellent but Will Sharpe was incredible. I genuinely can't ever think I'll watch a better show....

Binged watched this week but no spoilers here. This really benefits from having 8 episodes rather than the BBC's usual 6 and allows for greater character development and backstories. There are side plots and stories galore, bloody violence, humour, tears, sadness & retribution but everything comes together with a few twists and turns in a final episode that has one of the most unexpected & touching rooftop moments. The cast are fantastic as is the script and cinematography. Loved it.

Exceptional storytelling and direction in this compelling series which broke the mold and reinvented the genre with its brave and brilliant style, Everything about it was outstanding - directing, writing, casting. It had humor and wit despite the bleak subject matter and it was all done with incredible style. British drama showing the world how its done.

What a breath of fresh air in a world where tv is so uniform and unoriginal that you can predict the next move a mile away.

I'm also grateful that we got to discover a bit of Japan and its culture beyond the usual Hollywood cliches.

Well worth my time and highly recommended.