Red Eyes: Kanshi Sousa-han (2021)

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Red Eyes: Kanshi Sousa-han is a 10-episode police procedural series about a newly-assembled team of dedicated crime fighters utilising means of technology to prevent criminal acts and apprehend the perpetrators (not necessarily in that order). This isn't groundbreaking state-of-the-art technology on show here but one of the many aspects of police procedural systems that perhaps do not often get the in-depth showcase in dramaland.

In addition to western tv shows like Person of Interest and 911, this drama draws many parallels with K-drama, Voice. Red Eye’s Kanagawa Prefectural Police’s Investigation Support Analysis Centre and Voice’s Golden Time Team operate on the same basis of receiving “distress calls” and acting on them by dispatching a unit of field operatives while being ably supported by their teammates back at the control centre. Both teams are led by women and each of the respective field team leaders is a flawed anti-hero shouldering the burden of a tragic past - the loss of a loved one. Each case that is solved eventually connects to an overarching plot and culminates in the big reveal at the end of it all.

The main difference between the two - Voice relies on audio sensory while Red Eyes, as the name suggests, depends solely on visuals. Instead of a call centre that directly interacts with victims of crime, a huge metropolitan network of CCTVs is used to track down those criminal acts. Societal outcasts and ex-criminals (or more appropriately, good people who were somehow mixed up in bad circumstances and, as a result, have fallen from grace) are recruited to join this team. The mysterious (super)villain here is a lot more sinister and calculated with a nefarious scheme for bringing down the team.

This drama is quite engaging, for the most part. I like the concept of copycat criminals being based on infamous US serial killers being the underlying theme. The plot does make sense, albeit incredulously convoluted. The cast did a commendable job, being headlined by Kame who is fantastic in the lead role of the angst-ridden and tormented Kyosuke. Matsushita Nao’s portrayal of the team’s commanding officer Shimabara Yuri is equally convincing. My favourite side character is Minatogawa Yumiko, amazingly portrayed by Shishido Kavka, whom I thought is pretty cool and badass in her quiet and understated way. Each member of the team, including the villain(s) receives adequate screen time for developing their own story arcs.

The action is decent, comprising some slickly-choreographed unarmed combat sequences and pyrotechnics. The pacing is quite even with minimal fillers and sufficient nail-biting thrills in each episode. I appreciate the simple title cards depicting meaningful quotes at the end of each episode. The ending is a little unexpected, and although I have mixed feelings about the final outcome of the story, at least there’s definite closure for all the loose ends.

The main grievance I have is on the average production values, which in fairness isn’t really the fault of the crew. It’s great for a tv show but I can’t help but feel with a slightly higher budget, the production could have been even more impressive, at least from the stylistic and visual aspects. Despite being a 2020 production, the set designs and the lack of colour grading or more dramatic colour palette do make the show appear somewhat dated.

That being said, I’m quite satisfied with how the drama unfolded. Whether you’re a fan of Kame, police dramas or both, Red Eyes: Kanshi Sousa-han is well worth your time to check out.

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You know that moment when you're so stunned by what's happening on the screen that you're holding your breath. Only you don't realize it until you suddenly gasp for air? Yeah, "Red Eyes" has a TON of those moments in store for viewers.

The story is truly for fans of American shows like Person of Interest, 24, Criminal Minds, and even The Mentalist. There's a single enemy to fight who approaches from so many sides and angles to attack KSBC members. Individual episodes focus on attacks to the personal and professional lives of these members and as the audience becomes more attached to the characters, it becomes harder to watch them suffer.

It's also a relational show in that the audience feels the strong connection between Fushimi (Kamenashi), Komaki (Matsumura), Yamazaki (Kimura), and Minatogawa (Shishido). They've partnered together for at least 2 years and there's a strong sense of unity and balance among the characters. There are even potential romantic sparks between KSBC member Nagashino (Shuri) and Komaki (Matsumura).

While Kamenashi is entirely capable of carrying a drama on his own, the supporting cast is superbly skilled, particularly the performances by Shuri and Kavka Shishido. I was first impressed by Shuri when I watched "Love at Least" with Suda Masaki that deals with depression, and I am equally impressed with her here as the supporting role computer genius. Kavka Shishido spends a lot of time partnering with Kamenashi and they pair so well together in fight scenes. This was my first introduction to Hokuto Matsumura from SixTones and he impressed me as Komaki. A geeky, nerdy sort of role that suited him.

Finally, Kazuya Kamenashi. He's the reason I watched "Red Eyes" in the first place. The final episode plays to every single strength that he has (except humor which he doesn't express much at all throughout the series). He always surprises me with his athletic prowess. You'd think by now I'd know what he's capable of accomplishing and doing for the sake of a role. He delighted me and made me cry and is just marvelously brilliant as Kyosuke Fushimi.

The story exhibits a repetitive feel in some unfortunate ways, like Yamazaki always coming up with a famous case that their particular case reminds him of. Sometimes those comparisons feel a little stretched. And I'm still not convinced about the freezer episode. That one felt a bit much. So there are a few weak moments, but not really enough to detract from the overall feel of the series.

I especially love the message being shared, that giving in to evil only results in evil. It's something to be fought against, not indulged. We all have a beast/monster of some sort chewing us up on the inside. It's what we do with that monster that matters. And it's not always about giving way to the emotions we have.

"Red Eyes" is a strong offering to fans of the crime drama, has a terrific OST by KAT-TUN (no surprise there), and showcases a host of excellent talent. Fingers crossed that we might get a sequel. I know we have what looks like a prequel or a special with just Matsumura, Kimura, and Shishido and that's fine, but this has the potential to be several seasons. It would be about time for Kamenashi to have a series that just kept going.

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