SummaryTokyo Detective Kenzo Mori (Takehiro Hira) goes to London to search for his younger brother who may be linked to the death of a Yakuza boss in this BBC/Netflix co-production.
SummaryTokyo Detective Kenzo Mori (Takehiro Hira) goes to London to search for his younger brother who may be linked to the death of a Yakuza boss in this BBC/Netflix co-production.
Giri / Haji is a smart series that rewards your attention (and a bit of a slow start as it builds) as a deeply satisfying story. Its ambiguous ending also somehow feels complete, because the shame part of the narrative has been addressed for everyone. Though it would be wonderful to spend more time in this world with a second season, there is a palpable and beautiful sense of healing that has ended this one.
There is an artfulness to this drama -- the split screen, the surprise shift to cartoon animation -- that promises it won't be just another international crime tale. For its sake I hope Sharpe will be centre-stage.
Easily one of the best (if not the best) series of 2020.
Besides the great storytelling, Giri/Haji is worth watching even just for the cinematography, the way they change between aspect-ratios, colors, and scenes results in a very addictive tv show, the only thing bad about it is that it was canceled.
The one show on Netflix that was too short. From the beginning it snowballs to the climax getting better and better as it increases in suspense. Love the mix of the London underground with the Yakuza storylines. Shout out to Kelly Macdonald she shined.
A professionally mounted and consistently engaging regurgitation of stock crime-fiction archetypes and entanglements, it’s a bilingual work (available now) less interested in reinvention than in solid, straightforward dramatic thrills. On that count, the series achieves its modest goals—and, thanks to a few unexpected flourishes, occasionally exceeds them.
Apart from the novelty of seeing Japan’s capital unfetishised – this is a Tokyo where people live, work and manage the daily grind, not a neon-soaked fun palace or futuristic hellscape – and the odd animated interlude (created by the company behind Hey Duggee, fact fans), nothing here feels new or revelatory.
Giri/Haji transforms the classic crime drama into a heartfelt, sharply funny, clash of cultures that will have you fall in love with its characters. With many stand out moments that will have you rewinding to laugh or cry with them again. Once you see past the surface of some of its common elements, it's packed with an artistic view of personalities, relationships, and struggles many will find relatable.
Giri/Haju starts off as an above average crime drama, and just keeps getting better and deeper. With each episode my desire to see what happened next grew. The cast, the cinematography, the dual locations, the risks, and the wit make for a superior series that is not to be missed. There is no formulae, and the refreshingly bold moves make for surprises and payoffs. Highly recommended.
HUGELY OVERRATED! While the main, twisty plot is interesting, the dour, morose tone, unlikeable characters, and woke window dressing ruin this melodrama. It's less a gangster epic and more a soap opera promoting female and **** empowerment. I came to see a fun, John Woo style ass kicking story of hostile brothers, but found myself, at the climax of the show, watching a moody dance routine centered around a suicidal lesbian. Literally. I'm not joking. Humor has no part in this dull, depressing, occasionally nauseating show. Neither does fun nor anything which feels good. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about what it's like to be **** in London, this is the show for you.