Nothing more fun than discussing your favourite TV shows with your colleagues! As an avid TV show watcher and retired reviewer, I was recommended the Netflix show Japan Sinks by a colleague (shout out to Daniel!).
Japan Sinks is an anime miniseries based on a novel. I know, like you care. However, you should watch the show for these reasons:
Weird combo of animation with heavy story lines
So this show does not boast the prettiest of animations. In fact, I had an immediate flashback to the entry level animations of TV shows in the early 90s. That said, if you stick with it, you'll find that there is a deeper reasoning behind this than just budget cuts. Pivotal moments in the series are suddenly animated much better, such as nature's way of dealing with the disaster at hand and indicates a deeper layer into the story. Where people are animated more rudimentary, when it comes to nature the details are deepened and enriched. As the title suggests, Japan is sliding and sinking into oblivion due to an environmental disaster and the story focuses on the survival of a family. You experience their journey as they find each other after the initial disaster and follow them as they try to cope with their new reality.
Brutal character write offs and high pace
Key difference of Asian TV shows to US TV shows: it dares to take risks. Where US shows often fall into the pitfall of dragging out the success of a show and its main characters, Japan has zero chill when it comes to the cast members. Don't get to connected too much to the characters in this show, because they can - and will - die off seemingly randomly throughout. Coupled by the high pace of the show, you get the sense of urgency and emphasis on the story of the show.
Heavy emotions and deeper layers
And those story lines bring lots of heavy emotions: whether it's the loss of a family member, dealing with the guilt over bad life choices, or even blatant racism, it's all in the show. Japan Sinks treads fearlessly into such heavy topics by willfully avoiding sugar coating the topics and allows the viewer to gauge their own opinion after the event.
Because that is what Japan Sinks does in the end: it makes you think about the core of humanity in face of such an environmental disaster. What really matters in the end, and that even after going through so many different emotions, hope always remains in spite of it all.
So, if you are not offended by crude animations, and are willing to consider the deeper layers tucked away in the episodes, you will find Japan Sinks a rewarding journey.
