21
35
7
WandereR
Borneo
You’re being watched
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.
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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