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SakuraPrincess

Dramaland

SakuraPrincess

Dramaland
Red Eyes: Kanshi Sousa-han japanese drama review
Completed
Red Eyes: Kanshi Sousa-han
4 people found this review helpful
by SakuraPrincess
Mar 30, 2021
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
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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