Higanbana: Keishicho Sosa Nana ka (2016)

A crime solving show with women at the forefront, yes please.

Disclaimer: I have not watched the prequel to this so this review is purely on the mini series.

When I read the synopsis about a crime solving unit made up entirely of women, for women, I jumped in with high expectations. I'm all there for a supernatural crime show. This gave me some very light Memorist/He is Psychometric vibes, and I wanted a lot from this show. I would have been totally happy watching twenty episodes of this with a fully fleshed out backstory and mystery/romance line. Although I felt it was too short to completely show the storyline the love it deserved, they did put as much content into ten episodes as possible.

The story was definitely there though, and they work hard to give you a gradual reveal. I enjoyed the development throughout the episodes, along with the side crimes that they solved to connect the dots and fill time. The music was fun and catchy, and they used instrumental pieces in scenes to set the tone nicely. There is a tiny amount of cheesiness, but I think that goes along with the territory of most J-dramas. I loved the cast and the diversity of the woman on the unit, and what each brought to the screen. There is sadness, humor, mystery, and some very light romance in this.

A quick TW: There is a full episode devoted to a serial rapist case that has a couple scenes which could be triggering for some. (Some scenes where they pin girls, talk provocatively to them, and wave a knife in their face) The episode was great for addressing the way society views rape, and its affects on the victims, but could be sensitive for some.

All in a good, light commitment, watch, and definitely girl power friendly. I would recommend if you're in between series or looking for short but enjoyable watch.

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Story
The 7th criminal division it’s composed only by womans and dedicated yourselves to solve cases with womans. The division is called Higanbana by the superiors, because it’s a flower with poison in your roots and the superiors describes them with “The perfect place to gather womans”
All of them suffer prejudice because they are woman and all of them were transferred to this division, because they were considered inferior and problematic in your departaments. They are very eccentric and execute their work with a lot of mastery.
Five womans participate in this division, they have fewer people and less equipment than the divisions above, but with Kinomiya Nagisa and your ability to hear the left voices of criminals and victims, they resolve cases before the best police detectives.

Cast
I liked all of the actors, they use their best for the character.
Dan Rei are a brilliant detective and the center of the joke.
Kang Jy are a medical with great ability and knowledge. She has a happy personality, she joke and pull’s the leg of Dan Rei all the time (with great help of Ito and Yanagi)
Horikita Maki with a strong personality, ironic, serious and right into the point. (This is the last drama she’ll do…..)

Music
I really was caught unawares with the opening.

Rewatch value
I really enjoyed this drama, so I will rewatch in the rightfull time. It’s not a big story, each episode are a new case to solve. But I think it’s good to relax after a day.

The best part for me it’s the characters, all the woman are eccentric and you will laugh with the jokes and the mood between them.
After some episodes you’ll see sad stories and the past of some characters so be ready too.

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English is not my first language so feel free to correct me.
I hoped that I conviced you to watch this!

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