Gannibal (2022)

DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS JAPANESE CRIME MYSTERY HORROR DRAMA

jdramas have been hit or miss for me in terms of production value, story, and acting, but gannibals (2022) is a sleeper hit. with only 2 reviews at the time i am writing this (2/3/23), i am praying it gets renewed for a second season following the ending because I NEED ANSWERS!!!

story:
police officer agawa daigo and his family relocate to an isolated countryside town to fill a recent vacancy in the police force following a sudden resignation. they are greeted warmly by the town's people but coldly from the members of the strange and secretive goto family. after digging into the mysterious cirumstamces of the previous cop's disappearance, daigo discovers that he was last seen on the goto's family premises accusing them of cannibalism. while the agawa's hoped to start over in this small town and heal their non-speaking daughter's trauma, daigo is not someone to let go of things easily, so they are quickly swept into this small town mystery that is way bigger than them.

production/acting/everything else:
as mentioned previously, jdrama's that i have seen have been lacking in the production department. this is not an issue here. the cast and crew is impressive. the screenwriter is oe takamasa who was nominated for an oscar in 2021 for the best adapted screenplay for drive my car. yagira yuyu as agawa daigo gives a great performance, best known for his other role in nobody knows (2004) where he was the youngest winner of the best actor award at cannes.

i cannot recommend this drama enough. the pacing was great as the story slowly unveils itself. i was hooked from beginning to end. i also have never seen an jdrama that utilized a festival / folklore setting.

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Dark Elegance: Gannibal

Gannibal has a riveting story that takes us on an unexpected journey into the dark corners of human nature.. From start to finish, this series is a masterclass in storytelling, story development.. The plot of Gannibal is hauntingly intriguing with a gripping narrative.. The cinematography has a sinister edge with muted tones that perfectly complements the drama’s dark undertones.. Creating a striking contrast between the serene beauty of the village and the unsettling darkness hiding behind it... Yagira Yuya was hauntingly brilliant.. I absolutely loved his performance here..

Gannibal is a drama that doesnt rely on cheap thrills.. Its less about jump scares and more about an atmosphere of dread, misdirection and the slow unraveling of truth.. The horror of what's happening creeps up on you, something that leaves a psychological mark..

The only disappointing fact is that the second season hasn't been released yet.. The delay is something unacceptable considering how they ended the first season..

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