Zen Ryoiki Ijo Kaiketsu Shitsu (2024)

A very well-written story combined with an outstanding acting = a drama with never-ending surprises.

If you read the synopsis here or on Netflix and think that “Ah, it’s just another police drama.” And if you haven’t got hooked with the first four episodes because you think that there’s nothing intriguing with the supernatural stuff in the story, my advice to you is PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP YET, PLEASE GIVE IT A TRY TO A COUPLE MORE EPISODES. Because everything just CAME TO LIFE in the latter part of the story. It turns to be a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DRAMA in a very positive way!

My experience of watching J-drama is shallow, but I’m sure this is the first time I’ve watched a drama with this kind of storytelling. They promoted it as an ordinary case-solving, police-buddy story before totally turned around the table in the middle of drama. It just got better and better every episode, showed you never-ending surprises, and concluded with AN EPIC FINALE. I totally didn’t expect that this is what “Zenketsu” drama would be about after watching the first episode.

I’ve watched some of the writer’s project before and I think he’s someone who are capable to create a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but unfortunately, I found that some of them had unsatisfactory endings, with missing connections in the mystery or unconvincing motives behind the main case. But I’m confident to say that it’s different with Zenketsu. He really delivered a very convincing script for such an insane story. The writer and research team of this drama really did an excellent job to build the concept and ideas, then connecting the dots to define the characters and drive the story.

Also, I think Zenketsu is a type of story that can easily feel unserious and cheap if the characters and the visuals aren’t well-executed. So above all, thanks to the actors’ incredible performances and the production team, they turned this out-of-this-world story into something truly believable. Fujiwara Tatsuya as the lead; Hirose Alice, Kohinata Fumiyo, Fukumoto Riko, Sakoda Takaya, Yusuke Santamaria, Narumi Riko, Komiya Rio, and Kakizawa Hayato who play the major characters; all the supporting and guest casts, even the extras too: ALL OF THEM ARE AMAZING. The production team also did their job really well considering the tight budget of a TV production.

Overall, what an amazing journey for me watching this drama from the beginning until the end. Zenketsu gave me a full of rollercoaster emotions. I laughed, shed tears, held my breath, bit my nails while watching the story unfold. It has everything from myths & folklores to modern social issues, all packed in a mysterious storyline that is both thrilling and endearing. Great world-building, a truly well-executed story and very well-acted characters. I really hope there’ll be sequels! Go watch this drama guys, it’s on Netflix with multiple subs. This show is too great to be missed out.

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