Giri/Haji

Giri/Haji, a thrilling series on BBC Two, ingeniously interweaves Tokyo's yakuza underworld and London's gritty urban landscape into an exhilarating narrative about a conflict between duty and shame. Produced in 2019, the show, with its unique blend of Western noir and Japanese crime drama, unveils a captivating story that thrives on deceits, retaliations, redemption, organized crime, and strained family ties.

The title "Giri/Haji" translates as "Duty/Shame" in English, a theme that overwhelmingly defines the hearts of the characters and percolates into every pore of the drama. The series primarily revolves around the perspective of two main characters: Kenzo Mori, a Tokyo detective burdened with the responsibility of providing for his family, and Yuto, his younger brother who is caught up in Tokyo's organized crime circuit. The complex dichotomy between duty and shame, tradition and corruption, is palpably felt in the relationship of these two brothers.

Kenzo is a steadfast cop who finds his life upturned as he travels from Tokyo to London on a solo mission. This mission is to track down Yuto, who has been accused of brutally slaying the nephew of a yakuza boss, thus lighting the fuse of a potentially catastrophic gang war that threatens to engulf Tokyo. The plot thickens and intrigue deepens as Kenzo delves deeper into the labyrinthine world of criminality in a foreign city while struggling to protect his family back home.

Adding more layers to the narrative, Giri/Haji introduces other vital characters, including Sarah, a half-Japanese, half-British sex worker; Taki, Kenzo's rebellious teenage daughter; and Rodney, a charismatic yet volatile rent boy. These characters wield their own tales of duty and shame, making every episode an exploration of the human condition colored by choices and consequences.

The power of Giri/Haji does not merely lie in its intricately woven plot, but also in its distinctive visual style. The series boldly experiments with narrative techniques and visuals, offering a compelling fusion of cinematic aesthetics and graphic novel elements. Episodes are interspersed with anime-style sequences that provide glimpses into the characters' backstories, and stunning overhead shots showcasing both Tokyo's neon-lit nightscape and London's concrete jungle. Moreover, the series uses a powerful visual device - the split-screen montage - to contrast the lives and locales of Tokyo and London, reflecting the intertwining fates of characters living miles apart.

One of the defining aspects of Giri/Haji is its ability to seamlessly blend the intense crime drama with moments of surprising levity and even surrealism. At times the narrative teeters on the brink of sheer insanity, only to seamlessly shift gears into heart-wrenching drama or unexpected humor. This ability to maintain balance contributes to the charm the series has, setting it apart from mainstream crime thriller television offerings.

Also identified as a bilingual series, it features dialogue in both English and Japanese, thus adding to its overall authenticity. The cultural exchange and clash of the Eastern and Western worlds play out not just in the storyline and setting, but also in how the narrative is delivered. For those invested in character relationships and the exploration of universal feelings in the guise of a crime drama, Giri/Haji offers a deep, touching portrayal of the bond between siblings, the strength of family ties, and the impact of personal decisions on larger schemes.

Giri/Haji is truly a brilliant blend of cultures, languages, and styles, coming together to create a show that is uniquely exhilarating and profoundly moving. Its largely international cast delivers powerhouse performances, anchoring the sometimes surreal plot with authentic emotion and depth. With its dark, atmospheric narrative, stunning visuals, and nuanced characters, Giri/Haji ventures into territory most TV shows don't dare to explore, capturing the essence of duty and shame that permeate cultures and personal lives. With its unpredictability and compelling mystery, it keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, one episode after the other, as they get drawn into its complex world where personal and professional lines blur. Emotionally gripping, visually striking and narratively daring, Giri/Haji is a remarkable import that stands as a testament to the diversity and boldness of contemporary television.