Giri/Haji (2019)

The suspense does not last beyond the first episode, as it becomes very conventional after that. The most prominent reason this proves to be only slightly better than a television show is the introduction and interaction of its characters. One person becomes a character simply because he happened to be in the same bar at the same time as the main protagonist, and is overheard by the latter. Often, side characters interact in meaningless ways or in ways where only their personal lives are impacted. Screen time is given to them even when they have no place in the basis of the show as presented in the opening episode.

Giri/Haji is a Japanese/British neo crime thriller. It is stylishly shot and heavily influenced by Quentin Tarantino. The story concerns a fatigued detective Kenzo Mori (Takehiro Hira) who has been sent to London. Ostensibly it is an exchange visit. Kenzo is searching for his younger brother Yuto. Yuto is a gangster in Japan who was thought to have died. Now Yuto is linked to the death of a prominent Yakuza member. Kenzo finds himself navigating the treacherous waters of both the London and Tokyo underworld. He wants to protect Yuto but needs to find him first. Giri/Haji is hip, contemplative, violent and yet surreal. It switches styles, there are anime parts and a lot of the dialogue is in Japanese. For a television series, the visuals are very cinematic. It also tips a nod to Korean crime dramas as well.