AnimeSuki Forums

Kanon · 2020-08-21, 06:50

One more month then, I can't wait!

frodonk · 2020-08-30, 22:14

I finally finished this. I saw somebody's write-up about it and all I know was that it was about a bunch of crooks, then I watched the first episode and started binge watching it.

I've watched quite a number of heist series and films, so I was going into this with high expectations on how they are going to handle the believably of the plot. I'd say the series has reasonably met my expectations with a few exceptions.

The first arc is the first and last episode of the UK tv series Hustle combined. You got a rookie conman being scouted by a veteran group then testing him if he's loyal, only that in this series the internal conflict for Edamame was whether to continue in this line of work, while in Hustle the rookie was not confident enough that he could roll with these legendary conmen. The ending was from the very last episode of the TV show, where they killed themselves off while they escape.

I was going to say that the use of a large number of other people, the twist that the police investigating the con were part of the plan and the shooting scene in the end of the first arc were taken from a popular 70s movie called The Sting, so imagine my surprise when the entire second arc was a re-imagining of the very same movie, only with airplanes instead of horses.

The third arc heist plot is too common to tell where exactly it's from, maybe there's a specific movie or show that had the same plot but I haven't seen it, although Cynthia's background as a failed aspiring stage actress is the same with a female character on a US tv series called Leverage which is about a group of conmen trying to help people through alternative ways, sounds familiar?

The third arc was interesting for Cynthia's background anyway, I was trying to fight back the tears on the second half of episode 13 and the whole of episode 14. It's my favorite arc so far.

Overall what makes this stand out was the background story of the characters, the small mementos they had with them and those magical capsule toys that predict the future. The heist plot might have been done before, but those scenes give it that unique anime twist. The music for the third arc was superb, specifically those that play during the Cynthia Thomas scenes.

If I had to point out flaws in this it would be that on the heist plot side, they relied too much on reverse psychology tricks on the second arc, also that part where the older brother was asking Edamame for advice isn't that believable. Emphasis has been placed with this kind of story on making the victim think that he was the one who came up with the plan, since telling the victim what to do could make them reject the suggestion, or become suspicious of the one who came up with the plan. The payoff for all that work for the second and third arcs was too little to compensate or justify the expenditures they had incurred. Building an entire racing team would've been more expensive than 2.5m Singaporean dollars they got from Ibrahim, and while they got the painting back in the third arc it wouldn't have justified the cost of that villa and the rental of all those luxury cars.

While I'm not a fan of any kind of war, I don't think any country dropped a bomb on civilians unannounced during the 2nd Iraq war, and they never used child soldiers (maybe?) since that's more Central Africa's style. Their plan also relied on things that can't be reliably predicted, like how Edamame would've reacted after eating the candy, or Abbie's almost accidents while on the plane. Cynthia going overboard with 100m euros was also ill advised, because it was not part of the plan. Finally, they should not have used their real name to con people, apparently everyone's using their real name when dealing with victims. Even when using an alias, they should've treated their names like toilet paper, use once then discard.

In the end though, I feel that these "flaws" were there not because they were left in, but were deliberately placed there for the audiences' entertainment, part of the anime twist I was referring to earlier.

TL;DR
I really liked it and can't wait for the 4th arc about Thierry.

Guardian Enzo · 2020-08-31, 01:39

You do know there are 9 episodes left, right?

frodonk · 2020-08-31, 01:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

You do know there are 9 episodes left, right?

uhh since the comment above mine says "I can't wait" and the TLDR at the bottom of my post says I'm waiting for the Thierry arc then.. yes?

When I said I finished this I meant I finished all the currently released episodes.

Guardian Enzo · 2020-08-31, 04:28

OK, I missed that part LOL.

Decel · 2020-09-04, 22:32

Great series. Everything is so sharp (animation, graphics, story) I kind of want Netflix to sponsor a lot more shows now.

EroKing · 2020-09-24, 16:03

Episodes 15-23 came out recently and it did not disappoint at all. Dat last con job. Dat last scene after the credits. 10/10!

Kanon · 2020-09-26, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by EroKing

Episodes 15-23 came out recently and it did not disappoint at all. Dat last con job. Dat last scene after the credits. 10/10!

I thought you were talking about the raw, I didn't think the English subs would be out so soon! Netflix JP uploaded them quickly this time.

Decel · 2020-09-26, 21:00

Can't wait to see them on Netflix! I think there's a 2 month gap between region releases?

Kanon · 2020-09-29, 15:22

Finished it. Third best anime I've watched this year.

That said, I did have some issues with the final case:

Spoiler for Case 4 major spoilers:

I really loved the beginning which was pretty damn heavy and the flashback, but I think the case kind of fell apart in the last third. A shame. The show was almost perfect.

In any case, this is definitely the best anime original series Netflix has produced. Some might even say the only good one...

Wandering Soul · 2020-09-29, 18:14

Overall I liked the series and it was fun ride, though I have some issues with the 4th case that Kanon pretty much sums up above. The show didnot quite stick the landing, but it didnot ruin what came before and was still one of the better anime I watched this year.

Irenesharda · 2020-09-30, 22:03

I totally didn't realize this series was back!

I want to savor this though, so I'm just going to look at one episode at a time.

Ep 15:

Why the heck won't this boy learn? Has he never watched the godfather? Doesn't he know he can never escape?

Spoiler for plot:

Despite the 5 min retread of the past 3 arcs, this was a good return to the series. I wish it wasn't so broken up and more people would talk about and react to this show, but I'm just so happy to see it back.

Kanon · 2020-10-01, 06:34

That's why I hate Netflix's batch release policy. It kills all discussion. Nevermind the fact they don't even release the show worldwide until months later. I think the only time they released an anime weekly and worldwide was Violet Evergarden. I guess it must not have worked out too well.

Irenesharda · 2020-10-01, 16:44

Episode 16-17

Honestly, this feels more like Edamame's arc than it does Laurent's.

Spoiler for plot:

Also, an interesting juxtaposition with Edamame beginning to grow more and more accustomed to his new life, and him taking up smoking and Abby growing more and more distant from him.

Irenesharda · 2020-10-01, 18:22

Ep 18-19

They've done this to you before Edamame, honestly, you should get used to it. But also...
It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all....

Spoiler for plot:

I also wonder how Makoto will take all of this?

Irenesharda · 2020-10-01, 21:53

Ep 20 - 23

This was such a rollercoaster but I can't say I was bored for a minute! I love this series!

It would have been perfect except for one thing I didn't care for. But other than that I loved it. Especially that ending!

Spoiler for plot:

Loved this series and I really hope we get a second season to see the gang go on even more adventures. There was definitely set up for more. Also, I MUST have that soundtrack! One of the best parts of the whole series.

I'd give this a 9/10.

Blaat · 2020-10-02, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irenesharda

Spoiler for plot:

Spoiler:

Kanon · 2020-10-02, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blaat

Spoiler:

I was wondering who that was too. He's based on Steven Seagal IIRC.

Irenesharda · 2020-10-03, 23:25

Just got a chance to watch the dub, and I have to say it really works for this series. But then again, I've found that works most times the series takes place overseas or in a more western setting.

Like how you can really hear the different accents here and there, plus of course the other languages used.

Marcus H. · 2020-10-04, 03:48

Finally finished the last arc and there's a LOT of things to ponder. Of course, among them is the "long con" Laurent prepared for Makoto. Among the things the Confidence Men are known for are plans that are so over-the-top that even the other Confidence Men are anxious about the smallest mistake. After all "one mistake and you go down". Laurent's scouting of him and the gradual grooming of his "successor" (in terms of being exposed to all kinds of shit) really went to the next level by making Makoto live through seeing Abby and Cynthia die and having him stuck as one of the most trusted members of the Suzaku Group with survivor's guilt setting in. I know how much of this has been experienced by Laurent himself, but why put a guy through all that?

That aside, the show was a nice ride all throughout. The strong Western movie references and international settings were a refreshing experience, although I think I'm fine without a sequel to this, assuming that this show is an adaptation.

ENTRY #379 GET.

2020-08-21, 06:50	Link #61
Kanon Kana Hanazawa ♥ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: France Age: 37	One more month then, I can't wait! __________________

2020-08-30, 22:14	Link #62
frodonk Master of Killing Time Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Makinohara Service Area	I finally finished this. I saw somebody's write-up about it and all I know was that it was about a bunch of crooks, then I watched the first episode and started binge watching it. I've watched quite a number of heist series and films, so I was going into this with high expectations on how they are going to handle the believably of the plot. I'd say the series has reasonably met my expectations with a few exceptions. The first arc is the first and last episode of the UK tv series Hustle combined. You got a rookie conman being scouted by a veteran group then testing him if he's loyal, only that in this series the internal conflict for Edamame was whether to continue in this line of work, while in Hustle the rookie was not confident enough that he could roll with these legendary conmen. The ending was from the very last episode of the TV show, where they killed themselves off while they escape. I was going to say that the use of a large number of other people, the twist that the police investigating the con were part of the plan and the shooting scene in the end of the first arc were taken from a popular 70s movie called The Sting, so imagine my surprise when the entire second arc was a re-imagining of the very same movie, only with airplanes instead of horses. The third arc heist plot is too common to tell where exactly it's from, maybe there's a specific movie or show that had the same plot but I haven't seen it, although Cynthia's background as a failed aspiring stage actress is the same with a female character on a US tv series called Leverage which is about a group of conmen trying to help people through alternative ways, sounds familiar? The third arc was interesting for Cynthia's background anyway, I was trying to fight back the tears on the second half of episode 13 and the whole of episode 14. It's my favorite arc so far. Overall what makes this stand out was the background story of the characters, the small mementos they had with them and those magical capsule toys that predict the future. The heist plot might have been done before, but those scenes give it that unique anime twist. The music for the third arc was superb, specifically those that play during the Cynthia Thomas scenes. If I had to point out flaws in this it would be that on the heist plot side, they relied too much on reverse psychology tricks on the second arc, also that part where the older brother was asking Edamame for advice isn't that believable. Emphasis has been placed with this kind of story on making the victim think that he was the one who came up with the plan, since telling the victim what to do could make them reject the suggestion, or become suspicious of the one who came up with the plan. The payoff for all that work for the second and third arcs was too little to compensate or justify the expenditures they had incurred. Building an entire racing team would've been more expensive than 2.5m Singaporean dollars they got from Ibrahim, and while they got the painting back in the third arc it wouldn't have justified the cost of that villa and the rental of all those luxury cars. While I'm not a fan of any kind of war, I don't think any country dropped a bomb on civilians unannounced during the 2nd Iraq war, and they never used child soldiers (maybe?) since that's more Central Africa's style. Their plan also relied on things that can't be reliably predicted, like how Edamame would've reacted after eating the candy, or Abbie's almost accidents while on the plane. Cynthia going overboard with 100m euros was also ill advised, because it was not part of the plan. Finally, they should not have used their real name to con people, apparently everyone's using their real name when dealing with victims. Even when using an alias, they should've treated their names like toilet paper, use once then discard. In the end though, I feel that these "flaws" were there not because they were left in, but were deliberately placed there for the audiences' entertainment, part of the anime twist I was referring to earlier. TL;DR I really liked it and can't wait for the 4th arc about Thierry. __________________ Just my MAL profile, I'm putting this here for no particular reason.

2020-09-04, 22:32	Link #66
Decel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Canada	Great series. Everything is so sharp (animation, graphics, story) I kind of want Netflix to sponsor a lot more shows now. __________________ 2006- The year of the invasion of the Suzumiya Haruhi avatars and signature logos

2020-09-24, 16:03	Link #67
EroKing Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Age: 38	Episodes 15-23 came out recently and it did not disappoint at all. Dat last con job. Dat last scene after the credits. 10/10! __________________

2020-09-26, 21:00	Link #69
Decel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Canada	Can't wait to see them on Netflix! I think there's a 2 month gap between region releases? __________________ 2006- The year of the invasion of the Suzumiya Haruhi avatars and signature logos

2020-09-29, 15:22	Link #70
Kanon Kana Hanazawa ♥ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: France Age: 37	Finished it. Third best anime I've watched this year. That said, I did have some issues with the final case: Spoiler for Case 4 major spoilers: Laurent and Oz did Makoto really dirty here. Tricking him into joining Suzaku was one thing (how did Makoto not realize it was the company involved in human trafficking his father was allegedly a part of by the way? It's the same name), but having him believe that Cynthia and Abbie got killed and just leaving him to rot at Suzaku, hoping he'll become a human trafficker and gain Akemi's trust was going way too far. They had him do that for two freaking months without telling him anything. That leads me to my second issue. Makoto was rightfully pissed off and wanted to pull one over Laurent, but having the previous "victims" of the scams come back, making off with a lot of money (they obviously didn't do it for free), and apparently becoming buds with the crew felt incredibly wrong. These people are supposed to be scum, it's the entire reason they went after them! They should have pulled another twist and have them scammed again. And finally, the after credits scene. Completely unnecessary and pretty damn dumb. I really loved the beginning which was pretty damn heavy and the flashback, but I think the case kind of fell apart in the last third. A shame. The show was almost perfect. In any case, this is definitely the best anime original series Netflix has produced. Some might even say the only good one... __________________

2020-09-29, 18:14	Link #71
Wandering Soul Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: America	Overall I liked the series and it was fun ride, though I have some issues with the 4th case that Kanon pretty much sums up above. The show didnot quite stick the landing, but it didnot ruin what came before and was still one of the better anime I watched this year. __________________

2020-09-30, 22:03	Link #72
Irenesharda Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago	I totally didn't realize this series was back! I want to savor this though, so I'm just going to look at one episode at a time. Ep 15: Why the heck won't this boy learn? Has he never watched the godfather? Doesn't he know he can never escape? Spoiler for plot: Edamame tries to leave for the 3rd time and it goes just as well as the other two. Laurent and his infinite amount of contacts, leave just enough clues and pointers to draw him to a company where he thinks he can get a legitimate job, only to find out it's only a front for the Yakuza and he's started doing what he hated his father for, which was working with the world of human trafficking. It's a pretty dark picture and you as well as Edamame are out of their depths here. And that goodness it was all part of Laurent's plan because it would have been scary for Edamame to try to figure out all this by himself. It's time to take down some human traffickers! Despite the 5 min retread of the past 3 arcs, this was a good return to the series. I wish it wasn't so broken up and more people would talk about and react to this show, but I'm just so happy to see it back. __________________ "Someone who cannot forgive lies or secrets, will never trust another." - Major Kyosuke Hyobu

2020-10-01, 06:34	Link #73
Kanon Kana Hanazawa ♥ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: France Age: 37	That's why I hate Netflix's batch release policy. It kills all discussion. Nevermind the fact they don't even release the show worldwide until months later. I think the only time they released an anime weekly and worldwide was Violet Evergarden. I guess it must not have worked out too well. __________________

2020-10-01, 16:44	Link #74
Irenesharda Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago	Episode 16-17 Honestly, this feels more like Edamame's arc than it does Laurent's. Spoiler for plot: Having to deal with the same situation as his father did, and even meeting his father, Laurent must be darn near-omniscient to set all this up. But its a way more complicated venture than Edamame thinks. You can't simply just have the kids escape. They have nowhere to go, and if you and your dad took them out of the country, you'd have your enemies on your tall, probably would never be able to go back to Japan, and you would have to find out what to do with all those kids! You don't seem to do well with long term complicated plans kid. Perhaps its a good thing your dad betrayed you. But I think there might be more to it than that. Also, an interesting juxtaposition with Edamame beginning to grow more and more accustomed to his new life, and him taking up smoking and Abby growing more and more distant from him. __________________ "Someone who cannot forgive lies or secrets, will never trust another." - Major Kyosuke Hyobu

2020-10-01, 18:22	Link #75
Irenesharda Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago	Ep 18-19 They've done this to you before Edamame, honestly, you should get used to it. But also... It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all.... Spoiler for plot: I knew the minute they told Makoto to shoot them, that the dad was in on the whole thing. And when he shot Abbie and Cynthia, that sealed it. Now I'm just wondering if Makoto was in on it as well? I'm thinking with how long he's been in the business and how he's adjusted to the life, he is? I think? But when his dad comes back and tells him Laurent's backstory. And honestly, its ridiculous how small this world is! Laurent losing his mom to stress caused by a corrupt con man. Him being tricked and meeting up with Dorothy who was basically the original Laurent. Him basically being the Edamame of the group, learning the ropes before falling in love and marrying Dorothy. And Makoto's dad being in on it the whole time! Who knew the Wizard in the title was about him the whole time?! And now that wizard doll to Makoto's mom makes sense. I wonder if she knew about his double life? It obvious that this will sadly end tragically and this last job of Dorothy's will fall through, leaving Dorothy probably dead, Makoto's dad in jail, and Laurent a broken man for at least a time. It'll be interesting to see them finally succeed in that last job that they failed at before. I also wonder how Makoto will take all of this? __________________ "Someone who cannot forgive lies or secrets, will never trust another." - Major Kyosuke Hyobu

2020-10-01, 21:53	Link #76
Irenesharda Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago	Ep 20 - 23 This was such a rollercoaster but I can't say I was bored for a minute! I love this series! It would have been perfect except for one thing I didn't care for. But other than that I loved it. Especially that ending! Spoiler for plot: The con to take out both the Suzaku group and the Shanghai group was great and they really had even the audience in their thrall the entire time. I wasn't sure what Makoto was going to do, and I don't know if I approve. I think I would rather have had the enemies that they've scammed along the way never show up again. I think having them back again and for them to be totally fine and even helping the gang out, kind of cheapens the heists and what they accomplished. That was my only problem in the entire thing. Everything else was great. Loved Makoto's acting and what the gang went through to pull this one last job for Dorothy. Finding out at the end that Makoto's mom knew that her husband was a con the entire time was cute. i kind of guessed that when she liked the wizard so badly. I have a feeling that it was the shock of his arrest itself that caused her to collapse. But he still visited her every day. I'm not sure what the end with the president was up with? Were we supposed to know who that was? Also, we have to probably help the other guy with his daughter as well. I hope we get another season. Especially after we find out in the end credits that Dorothy of all people is ALIVE and has amnesia! Her poor husband will be beside himself when he finds out! And by some kind of divine providence, she got the ring back?! It was definitely meant to be. Loved this series and I really hope we get a second season to see the gang go on even more adventures. There was definitely set up for more. Also, I MUST have that soundtrack! One of the best parts of the whole series. I'd give this a 9/10. __________________ "Someone who cannot forgive lies or secrets, will never trust another." - Major Kyosuke Hyobu

2020-10-03, 23:25	Link #79
Irenesharda Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago	Just got a chance to watch the dub, and I have to say it really works for this series. But then again, I've found that works most times the series takes place overseas or in a more western setting. Like how you can really hear the different accents here and there, plus of course the other languages used. __________________ "Someone who cannot forgive lies or secrets, will never trust another." - Major Kyosuke Hyobu

2020-10-04, 03:48	Link #80
Marcus H. Princess or Plunderer? Join Date: May 2009 Location: the Philippines	Finally finished the last arc and there's a LOT of things to ponder. Of course, among them is the "long con" Laurent prepared for Makoto. Among the things the Confidence Men are known for are plans that are so over-the-top that even the other Confidence Men are anxious about the smallest mistake. After all "one mistake and you go down". Laurent's scouting of him and the gradual grooming of his "successor" (in terms of being exposed to all kinds of shit) really went to the next level by making Makoto live through seeing Abby and Cynthia die and having him stuck as one of the most trusted members of the Suzaku Group with survivor's guilt setting in. I know how much of this has been experienced by Laurent himself, but why put a guy through all that? That aside, the show was a nice ride all throughout. The strong Western movie references and international settings were a refreshing experience, although I think I'm fine without a sequel to this, assuming that this show is an adaptation. ENTRY #379 GET. __________________ Continuing: White Sand Aquatope (6/24) and Vanitas S2 (0/12), The Vampire Dies in No Time S2 and Bofuri S2 (3/12). 2021: Restaurant to Another World S2 (3/12), takt Op. Destiny (1/12) and Taisho Maiden Fairy Tale (1/12). 2022: Yuusha Yamemasu (1/12), Kaguya-sama S3, Mob Psycho 100 III (Oct06), Bleach: 1000 Year Blood War (2/13) and Chainsaw Man (6/12). Spring 2023: Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Punch! (4/12), Skip to Loafer, Tonikaku Kawaii S2 (1/12), Otonari ni Ginga (5/12) and Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia (3/13). Contact me on Wikia and MyAnimeList. Anime List Status ~ Watching: 33. Completed: 468. Plan to watch: 39.