IQ246: Kareinaru Jikenbo (2016)

I watched this show mostly because the synopsis sounded interesting, and it is a very interesting show, however, it took me a few episodes to get me hooked. But that has nothing to do with the show, it's all my personal taste(s).

The cast was really well picked for this show, especially episode 5 because I'm a fan of Narimiya Hiroki. To be honest, I think they made a lot of things over exaggerated at some points or rushed at other points, and I really don't understand why one person had to be the "stupid commoner" scapegoat for the first few episodes, though I do realize that all of it was what made this show so interesting! Each story had an extremely difficult plot that was full of suspense and was thrilling to watch! Each character's personal story and growth was really amazing to see; it was like they became a different person altogether as the show continued through the episodes.

Though I was confused sometimes, it didn't last long and everything made sense toward the end of each episode and even more so toward the end of the show itself. I have to say this story is very unique to anything I have ever seen before, and as I continued watching I definitely grew more fond of the show as well!

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A uniquely Japanese take on Sherlock!

In spite of the similarities in some situations, this is a different investigative show in its own right. I is neither slow nor fast paced. All characters go through their own development arc, even the antagonist. The bodyguard may seem irritating at first but I liked her antics as well and she was far from just comic relief, as can be seen in the final three episodes. Kense the butler (Dean Fujoka), is extraordinarily good-looking and plays the much needed action role when needed. Oda Yuji's style of Sherlock may seem too over the top but I feel that the eccentricity was on spot and expected for such geniuses and those used to Japanese shows may not even notice it as unusual. I liked the last few episodes the most though each mystery was enjoyable too. I wish that they said more about the Homonji family because that 'obligatory' flashback into past incidents which lets us know the origin story, never happened. The ending was really good and though I would have preferred a few more minutes, it was still very satisfying. However, I feel that the screenplay could have maintained more suspense regarding the murders in the first few episodes, because it made things a bit predictable for me. That, apart from the incomplete backstory is why I deduct 1 point.

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