Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle? an enjoyable Japanese series

 

"Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle?" is a well constructed mystery series.  Like the best it is layered with interesting complications.

We first meet a daughter, Kamugi and her father,  Haruo having a traditional Japanese meal at a favored vendor.  Before too long there is a house fire and the father, a former police officer dies.  It takes awhile before we learn that the fire might have been deliberately set.  This is our first acquaintance with an annoying journalist Kamii.

Before too long we learn that Kamugi is not the natural daughter of Haruo.  Haruo's former police partner Akazawa is involved and decides an investigation is  not needed, but again more characters get involved.  We learn the Akazawa and his wife, Kyoko were the ones who delivered the infant Komugi to Haruo and his wife.  Kamugi is directed to a lawyer, Matsukaze who is mystified as to why he was selected.   There is lots more going back to a grisly mass murder several years before with false accusations and we learn there are others with vested interests.  Endless surprises.

It takes a lot of talented people to put together such an enjoyable series.  Here are a few.

Takahiro Aoyama was the director.  He has 13 directing credits including "Light of My Lion" (2024).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/light-of-my-lion.html

Rito Asami wrote the original maga  (a sort of Japanese comic strip) and has done two others.

Tomako Kanazawa was one of the script writers.  He has 13 writing credits.

Alisa Okahazama composed the music.  She has 18 music credits.

Junichi Nakaura was a cinematographer.  He has 7 cinematography credits and 3 for the camera and electrical department including "First Love" (2022).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/12/first-love.html

Seiji Harimoto was an editor.  He has 12 editor credits including "Light of My Lion" (2024). 

Suzu Hirose played Komugi.  She started out as a model and has been a popular commercial actress.  She has 47 acting credits and 3 for soundtrack including "Our Little Sister" (2015) and "The Third Murder" (2017).  

Ken'ichi Matsuyama plays Matsukaze, the helpful lawyer.  He has  95 acting credits including "Norwegian Wood" (2010) and "Japan Sinks:  People of Hope" (2021).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/12/japan-sinks-people-of-hope-emigration.html 

 Lily Frank played Haruo who we see in several flashbacks.  He has 108 acting credits and 2 for directing including "Like Father, Like Son" (2011), "Our Little Sister" (2014), "Shoplifters" (2018), "Cottontail" (2021),  "Call Me Chihiro" (2024) and "The Parades" (2024).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/03/the-parades-japanese-fantasy-film-on.html

Takahiro Fujimoto played Akazawa, the former police partner.  He was a medley swimmer who competed in two Olympics.  He has 31 acting credits including "Jin" (2009).

Naomi Nishida played Kyoko, the wife of Akazawa.  She is a likeable quiet individual, but is hiding more than the others.  Was a fashion model. She has 177 acting credits.

Hayuto Isomura played Kamii the annoying and clever journalist.  Just started Japanese dubbing for foreign films.  He has 61 acting credits and 2 for directing.  

You can enjoy this series subtitled on Netflix.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time and if you follow the links you should be able to determine if any film is worth following up.