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I had already set a reminder to watch this series as soon as it came out, but when it finally premiered, I still hadn’t finished the series I was currently watching. So, of course, I had to marathon that one just so I could start this one sooner 😂 Thankfully, it was worth the effort. The first few episodes took their time building the mystery, but the strange idea of a man who can transform into gas and commit murders on live television immediately caught my attention. It felt dark, unsettling, and different from the usual crime thrillers I have watched.

What impressed me the most was how the series slowly turned its villain into such a tragic and emotionally complicated character. It never tried to justify his actions, but it made me understand how pain, exploitation, and a corrupt system shaped him into the person he became. Uta Uchida was especially impressive as the Human Vapor. I honestly could not believe this was his acting debut because his screen presence was so strong, even when he barely spoke. Shun Oguri and Yu Aoi were also amazing, and the emotional connection between the characters gave the story much more depth than I expected. The visual effects were surprisingly realistic, and the background music made every tense or emotional scene hit even harder. Also, Ellie, My Love is definitely going into my playlist now.

The pacing did feel a little slow in the middle, and I think the story could have been told more tightly in fewer episodes. Some parts also left me wanting clearer explanations, especially about the secret organization and what they were actually trying to accomplish. Still, once the tension picked up, I became completely invested in the mystery and the characters. Overall, this was a pleasant surprise. Dark, emotional, visually impressive, and much more heartbreaking than I expected.