I've watch both the first season and second..

It is so mediocre. Sometimes the acting is really bad.

I just don't understand why they don't speak Japanese all the time when Jake talks to anyone Japanese. It is not necessary for colleagues, bosses, and the cop to speak English to Jake when he's fluent in Japanese. They should be speaking Japanese.

The writing and acting can be cringe to bad. A lot of unnecessary sex/bedroom scenes that eat up lots of time because they're filler..


Man, Ken Watanabe got really old. He looks so skinny now.

Anyone still watching this show? Season 2 just came out with two new episodes. I had it on my watchlist for a long time and finally watched this month. The show is fine, nothing spectacular but am enjoying Ken Watanabe as the veteran cop and Rinko Kikuchi (had to look her up) as the newspaper editor.

He's from my hometown!

I lived in Japan in the 90s and this is really taking me back:

His apartment is the same as mine was (dumpy) down to the tatami floor mats.

It’s ludicrous that he could speak and write Japanese fluently after just studying Japanese literature through University of Missouri.

For someone as skilled as he is with the language, he’s an idiot about Japanese culture and “just wants to fit in!” Honey, you’re never gonna fit in.

I would kill for a Japanese convenience store or the restaurants and bars he has access to.

I am watching it.

- Well done, but often very slow....., and very different focus between the episodes. Too much directorial control?

- Excellent cast except for main character, Hayden Christiansen .

- Some characters make inexplicably stupid choices but that is common in TV (are you listening, Ozark?)

- Enjoying a show with a different cultural background than the usual. This is the best thing about the show I think.

- Not really acceptable IMHO to resolve NOTHING before a 10 month hiatus (I am guessing there). Possibly a dealbreaker. Time is valuable and I feel a bit cheated.

Just my opinions! YMMV.

Anonymous wrote:The drop-off from the Mann directed pilot to every subsequent episode is staggering. From Heat to “TNT Knows Drama.”

Ha! Yes, noticed this as well...but I was already hooked by then.

The drop-off from the Mann directed pilot to every subsequent episode is staggering. From Heat to “TNT Knows Drama.”

I lived in Japan for a while teaching English, I bet I’ll like this

Loving it

It's good.

DH is watching, but his review has been more along the lines of “it’s decent.” He also lived in Japan for a while (he’s Asian-American but not Japanese) and agrees that they seem to do a good job of reflecting Japanese culture.

This is the best show out there at the moment. Obviously I am biased having lived the expat in Asia experience myself...but still a very good show!

Highly recommend this one. It's on HBO.