MIU404

This Japanese series is centred on members of Tokyo's Mobile Investigative Unit; most notably members Kazumi Shima and Ai Ibuki. The unit's job is to deal with the first twenty four hours of an investigation; if it isn't solved by then the case is passed on. Our protagonists seem an unlikely pair; Shima is an experienced detective while the best anybody can say about new member Ibuki is that he can run fast! It soon becomes clear that the series will have a comic tone when, after writing off a car, the duo must drive around in an old melon bread van. The unit's cases typically are solved within the episode but some story lines last through the series before becoming the main focus in the concluding episodes.

I thought this was a really enjoyably series. For the most part the tone is light which only amplifies the occasional poignant or tragic events. The characters are a lot of fun; not just the two leads but also the other team members. The cases are interesting and varied, occasionally shining a light of social issues such as the treatment of migrant workers. There are plenty of laughs to be had throughout the series. The cast does a fine job bringing the characters to life. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of police dramas who don't demand 'grittiness'.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.