A very well-written story combined with an outstanding acting = a drama with never-ending surprises.
If you read the synopsis here or on Netflix and think that “Ah, it’s just another police drama.” And if you haven’t got hooked with the first four episodes because you think that there’s nothing intriguing with the supernatural stuff in the story, my advice to you is PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP YET, PLEASE GIVE IT A TRY TO A COUPLE MORE EPISODES. Because everything just CAME TO LIFE in the latter part of the story. It turns to be a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DRAMA in a very positive way!My experience of watching J-drama is shallow, but I’m sure this is the first time I’ve watched a drama with this kind of storytelling. They promoted it as an ordinary case-solving, police-buddy story before totally turned around the table in the middle of drama. It just got better and better every episode, showed you never-ending surprises, and concluded with AN EPIC FINALE. I totally didn’t expect that this is what “Zenketsu” drama would be about after watching the first episode.
I’ve watched some of the writer’s project before and I think he’s someone who are capable to create a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but unfortunately, I found that some of them had unsatisfactory endings, with missing connections in the mystery or unconvincing motives behind the main case. But I’m confident to say that it’s different with Zenketsu. He really delivered a very convincing script for such an insane story. The writer and research team of this drama really did an excellent job to build the concept and ideas, then connecting the dots to define the characters and drive the story.
Also, I think Zenketsu is a type of story that can easily feel unserious and cheap if the characters and the visuals aren’t well-executed. So above all, thanks to the actors’ incredible performances and the production team, they turned this out-of-this-world story into something truly believable. Fujiwara Tatsuya as the lead; Hirose Alice, Kohinata Fumiyo, Fukumoto Riko, Sakoda Takaya, Yusuke Santamaria, Narumi Riko, Komiya Rio, and Kakizawa Hayato who play the major characters; all the supporting and guest casts, even the extras too: ALL OF THEM ARE AMAZING. The production team also did their job really well considering the tight budget of a TV production.
Overall, what an amazing journey for me watching this drama from the beginning until the end. Zenketsu gave me a full of rollercoaster emotions. I laughed, shed tears, held my breath, bit my nails while watching the story unfold. It has everything from myths & folklores to modern social issues, all packed in a mysterious storyline that is both thrilling and endearing. Great world-building, a truly well-executed story and very well-acted characters. I really hope there’ll be sequels! Go watch this drama guys, it’s on Netflix with multiple subs. This show is too great to be missed out.
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Those Foolish Humans
This was an incredible series. It did a good job grabbing the view’s attention in the beginning, but started off a little rocky. However, this is one series that gets better after each episode. The script is interesting from the start, but it felt like something was missing. This changes by the 5th episode and everything starts to make sense. Some of the characters were unlikable at first, but the script did a great job explaining the reasoning behind their actions. There are also a lot of twists and turns that keep you guessing what is going to happen next. Although there is a slight romance element with some of the characters, it did not overpower the main storyline. The cast was excellent and did a great job with their characters. This also did a great job with the cinematography, special effects, and make-up.Random Note:
There is a possible hint of a second season because the last two scenes can be interpreted as a cliffhanger. If this is the case, I can’t wait to watch it.
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"I wasn't particularly planning on getting along"
AARO aka Zen Ryoiki Ijo Kaiketsu Shitsu was a shadowy organization occasionally used by the government when supernatural events were suspected. Working in tandem with the police department they investigated cases that appeared to go beyond the norm.Amano Koyume is pulled off her position in the PR department of the police department and assigned to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office aka AARO. With no investigation experience or knowledge of the occult she doesn’t appear to be a natural fit. Deputy chief Okitama Miyabi cuts her little slack as he pushes her along in their cases. The old god Hiruko seems to be making his presence known through social media and gruesome deaths gathering fear and members to his New Genesis plan. Okitama and Amano along with AARO colleagues work to track down and stop the source of the strange cases they encounter.
Supernatural investigators and creatures are nothing unique and AARO didn’t exactly break new ground. Despite strange goings on, there was a repetition of vengeful and jealous women throughout the drama. I kept waiting for Hiruko to be exposed as a female god who had been scorned and was taking it out on humanity instead of the people are horrible especially now that they have social media and must be reordered theme. Nearly every episode at least one person was kidnapped. The producers must have gotten a big box of zip ties on sale and decided they all needed to be used. Waste not want not.
The writing could be terribly uneven. Relationships were hinted at but never explored. Deaths of characters unknown to the viewers were mourned, while horrific mass deaths were scarcely mentioned. The acting was even more uneven, perhaps due to the writing. The last few episodes with the exception of the cliffhanger ending were more compelling and might have been even stronger if everyone hadn’t already been kidnapped or had their life threatened a half dozen times. I kept being reminded of Megamind regarding the frequent kidnapping card. “You of all people should know we discontinued that promotion.” While I’m on a rant, they overused the loud echoing footsteps. It was especially humorous when one character who weighed maybe 90 pounds/40kg was wearing rubber soled boots. One time is effective, four times not so much. I also haven’t seen fight choreography this bad in years.
Even taking my rants into consideration, AARO was an easy watch with entertaining moments. The sad thing is with better continuity and writing it could have been so much more. And 50% less kidnappings.
19 June 2025
Trigger warning: For people who are squeamish there were body parts shown and copious amounts of blood.
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This review may contain spoilers
good drama, give it a try!
Wow, the last episode gave me chills, and I almost cried. This drama was full of unexpected moments, and I really enjoyed it—great story and acting! Oh, and I heard there’s going to be a second season? Amazing!I give this a 8,5/10. I was skeptical at first—I mean, watching it week after week, the plot felt a bit all over the place lol. But once they introduced the gods and the whole mystery around Hiruko, it just kept getting more and more fascinating each week. Loved it!
I’d highly recommend this drama to anyone who loves being kept on the edge of their seat. It’s perfect for those who enjoy unexpected twists, surprising revelations, and a storyline that keeps you guessing until the very end. Bonus point for the touching moments(ep10…)
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This review may contain spoilers
I absolutely love everything (except the names of the gods which are too long to remember lol) about this drama and it still lowkey pisses me off to this day that people don't talk about this drama enough. I just rewatched it 3 days ago since they announced the movie sequence (still hoping for the 2nd season tho 1 movie is not enough!!!) and had a refreshing experience since I already knew the twist and all that, so it gimme chills rewatching it. Tatsuya and Alice's actings are so good I got goosebumps when they revealed the twist and basically everything that happened at the second half of the drama. I cant wait to see the movie to know more about the cliffhanger at the end of the last ep and also the relationship between Koyume Amano and Miayabi Okitama. I'm so invested in their feelings for each other and how they kept the promise to protect and sacrifice for their important person. This is the first paranormal jdrama i've seen that implied about the love between the leads and it's surprisingly pleasing to watch and I'm rooting to see it flourish. Was this review helpful to you?
Clumsy at Best
I pushed through two episodes of this one, so it's possible there might be, however unlikely, something redeeming showing up later. The awkward directing, acting, script, and ersatz music at times don't bode well and can't be fixed by some later plot twist because they are the problem.The marketing spin and basic elements promise something interesting, but the execution is amateurish and clumsy.
When the lead character was introduced with three different angled shots I got a really bad feeling that the director is to put it politely, full of himself, and most all that followed confirmed that.
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While I thought this is an ordinary buddy drama...
"Zenketsu" isn't flawless, with some plot points and scenes deserving better execution. However, its captivating narrative shines when the characters' true selves are revealed. Initially typical, this buddy detective drama escalates into an intense, unique thrill ride, making it irresistibly binge-worthy.Well-crafted characters complement the engaging storyline. Impressive technical aspects, including soothing color grading and dynamic camera movements, elevate the viewing experience.
The cliffhanger ending teases potential for Season 2, which I eagerly anticipated!
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