Atami no Sousakan
Original Title: 熱海の捜査官
Atami no Sousakan (trnsl: Atami Investigators) is an 8-episode mystery comedy written and directed by film director Satoshi Miki (Turtles Swim Faster than Expected, Instant Swamp), and stars actors Joe Odagiri (Sway) and Chiaki Kuriyama (Battle Royale, Kill Bill) as two special branch detectives arriving to the city of South Atami to solve the mysterious disappearance of a bus with four schoolgirls from a private school.
But there’s more to it. A lot has been drawn in comparison to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks. South Atami seems to be some kind of in-between place between the worlds of the dead and the living. There’s not a sense of time in it, and there are times that the characters completely lose track of it. However, this is also Satoshi Miki’s work and it’s clear with the humor used in the show, brilliantly showcased by Eri Fuse (often working with Miki) ,who could literally steal any scene she’s in.
Performances are also on par with the quality production, from seasoned actors, contemporary actors, and a brand new batch of talents that includes Ayaka Miyoshi* in the role of the enigmatic Shinonome-kun, and Fumi Nikaido, who has an uncanny resemblance to Aoi Miyazaki, playing Shinonome’s classmate Remi.
Rating:
Watch it on ViKi.com – no subtitles yet
* as pointed out in the comments, there was an error between Ema Sakura, who plays Minami Sakayaki, in the show.
I loved this show. I would also recommend it… and please, you can listen to Tokyo Jihen's theme song – it's amazing. 天国へようこそ/Tengoku he Youkoso (Welcome to Paradise)
I want to see this!!!! :)
Ayaka Miyoshi of the idol group Sakura Gakuin plays Mai Shinonome, not Ema Sakura, whoever she is.
@Doki Doki Morning, our mistake. We tried double checking that on AsianMediaWiki and Drama Wiki, and Miyoshi wasn’t credited on DW.