Based on the novel “Jimenshitachi” by Ko Shinjo, “Tokyo Swindlers” implements one of the current “TV” favorite tropes, focusing on a group of swindlers, impressing, though, particularly with its outstanding cast.
Click the image below to follow our Tribute to Netflix
In the first of the seven episodes, we are mostly introduced to the group of swindlers the story focuses on. Harrison Yamanaka is the leader of the group, a notorious land swindler, who has some dealings with the authorities in the past, as veteran investigator Tatsu narrates to his junior Kuramochi, but has managed to remain unscathed for the most part. Takumi Tsujimoto is Yamanaka’s prodigy and right hand, a man who was convinced to join him after hitting rock bottom due to the actions of another land swindler in the past. Tsujimoto has his own assistant in hacker Nagai, and seems to be intensely loyal to his benefactor. Takeshita is a man who is in charge of bringing information about the properties the group decides to deal with, and also has a collaborator, a simpleton named Orochi. As we learn later on, though, he also has a drug problem.
Reiko Inaba is in charge of “casting” meaning bringing in and training people who are to impersonate the actual owners, during the examinations done by the realtor companies the group tricks into giving them money for forged contracts. She also works at a hotel as a front. Goto, the last member of the group, is in charge of helping out when the aforementioned discussions go wrong, essentially bullying the realtors in proceeding with the contracts, when things do not go the way the group wants. He and Tsujimoto are essentially the only ones ever to appear in front of others, although always in different appearances.
As the story begins, we watch the group in full bloom, swindling another company through intense preparation and calmness. In the end of the episode, however, Yamanaka starts talking about their next job, which is going to be much larger than the previous ones. The property this time is owned by a nun, Natsumi Kawai, who does not want to sell, and seems to live a life of celibacy and solitude. As male hosts, a huge realtor company and Aoyagi, a man under scrutiny for a past mistake get involved, and an in-company feud comes to the fore, the case becomes much more complicated, while Tatsu and Kuramochi also have their eyes on the group. At the same time, it appears that Yamanaka keeps some secrets from the group.
Check also this interview
Allow me to start with the casting and acting, which is one of the most impressive we have seen in a J-drama. Go Ayano plays Takumi, a man tormented by his past who has turned into a ‘dog’, even if a rather smart one. Etsushi Toyokawa as Harrison plays the ‘noble villain’ before eventually he is revealed as something more sinister. Kazuki Kitamura is a mad dog type as Takeshita, Pierre Taki manages to look both dangerous and likable as Goto while Eiko Koike presents a rather appealing person, who frequently finds herself under a lot of pressure considering her role in the group. The interactions and the dynamics among the group are one of the best aspects of the series, with the twists that come up, the balances that change along with the upper hands, creating rather captivating dynamics, that carry the series from beginning to end.
The chemistry among the actors is impressive, and finds its apogee in the meetings with the realtors, where Taro Suruga, as the one in the first episode, and Koji Yamamoto as Aoyagi, for the rest of series, also shine. The tension, particularly during the final meeting, truly soars, and this can be attributed to both the excellent acting and One’s exceptional handling of these scenes.
There is also Lily Franky as Detective Tatsu, who manages to look both normal and quite intelligent in his ever-cool demeanor, and Elaiza Ikeda as Kuramochi, who plays the young, tough, all-black bike rider with gusto, while looking gorgeous throughout. Lastly, even the secondary parts feature some renowned names, with Shota Sometani playing the hacker, Kaito Yoshimura the host, and Izumi Matsuoka the nun with the dark secret.
All in all, the character analysis in the series, as presented both from their past and their interactions, is excellent, and owes much to the impervious job done in the casting. The same applies to the way the whole concept of swindling unfolds, with One having his story taking place just before the Tokyo Olympics, when land speculation was at its height. It is not only the criminal group that are trying to get their hands on land and deals as fast and cruelly as they can, but also the realtor companies, who occasionally appear equally cutthroat. This approach, which also highlights how competitive and cruel the corporate world is, works great for the narrative, also because it manages to create some empathy for the protagonists at least, as they are dealing with people that are by no means, saints.
At the same time, the erotic aspect of the series, which also delves into how the male host world and prostitution work in Japan, adds another level of entertainment here, while making the context even richer. Granted, there are some aspects that could be perceived as fanservice, but they are also organically implemented to the narrative to a point, progressing the series forward, which tones down the aforementioned ‘issue’. Lastly, some plot holes do exist, as does some excessiveness and cliches in the characters and events (the sniper aspect, the nun, the rider-cop, the driver of high end call girls for example) but these all are just minor faults, which can also be attributed to an effort to entertain, and by no means do they harm the overall great sense the movie leaves in the end.
Expectedly, the cinematography by Shoichi Ato and Shigeki Morishita is quite polished, in neo noir style, with the shadows and the way darkness and low lighting is implemented being quite impressive to watch. Yasuyuki Ohzeki’s editing results in a pace that moves from fast to faster, again suiting the overall aesthetics of the movie to perfection.
“Tokyo Swindlers” is an exceptional series, that boasts a great story with intriguing characters, great casting and acting, a more than competent direction while retaining a rather high level in terms of audiovisuals. All in all, one that should not be missed.
