Forget 'Tokyo Vice', This 100% Fresh Crime Series Is the Yakuza Story You Can't Miss

Giri/Haji is a British crime drama that was a genuine breakthrough, yet it went largely unnoticed outside the UK – though it deserves far more attention.

Two-thirds of the dialogue is in Japanese, and the plot transports viewers from bustling London to equally dangerous Tokyo, where family ties intertwine with criminal turf wars.

What Is 'Giri/Haji' About?

Kenzo, a Tokyo detective, has a less-than-ideal life: he struggles to connect with his teenage daughter, is facing a crisis in his marriage, and is preparing for the imminent death of his ailing father.

However, his personal troubles take a backseat when a new war between Yakuza clans threatens to erupt in the city. Kenzo's younger brother, Yuto, is blamed for the looming bloodshed. Yuto faked his own death and vanished with a ceremonial blade belonging to one of the bosses.

In an attempt to preserve a fragile truce, the police send Kenzo on a crucial mission to London: find Yuto and bring him back to Tokyo to face trial.

'Giri/Haji' Is a Bold Experiment at the Intersection of Genres

From the very beginning, Giri/Haji looks like a typical police drama: a murder in London, a shootout in Tokyo, gruff cops, and abrasive witnesses.

Just as the viewer begins to feel bored, the creators introduce the first surprise: a black-and-white flashback with a narrow aspect ratio, followed by a watercolor animation depicting a bloody massacre in a London pub.

These stylistic choices don't clarify the plot, but they make one thing clear: this is not an ordinary police drama, but rather a bold project with a few aces up its sleeve. Over the course of eight episodes, the creators blend detective, a crime thriller, a coming-of-age drama, a dark comedy, a road movie, and a melodrama.

The classic story of a daughter harboring resentment toward her father alternates with one of the most unexpected TV deaths in recent years. Meanwhile, instead of standard catharsis, we're treated to stunning, intricately choreographed slow-motion sequences in which characters express their feelings through dance.

It may sound paradoxical, even silly, but the result is emotional, unconventional, and highly inventive – Giri/Haji is a true treasure trove of creative writing and directorial ingenuity.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Giri/Haji'?

• Giri/Haji has 100% from critics and 88% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.8/10.

Where to Watch 'Giri/Haji'?

Giri/Haji is available to stream on Netflix.