Netflix's adaptation of the anticipated supernatural horror anime Trese debuted on June 11 and viewers have not been disappointed. Filled with noir-esque cityscapes, bloody crime scenes, and mutated monsters the series undertakes the exhilarating paranormal dystopia of Manila reminiscent of other thriller-based anime shows such as Death Note and Incompetent Villain.
The anime is based on a graphic novel series by award-winning Filipino writers Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. After gaining immense popularity over the past decade, Netflix announced an adaption show in 2018, followed by a trailer released on May 22nd and a subsequent five-minute-long trailer on June 10th teasing fans. The show went live on Netflix Friday.
The anime centers around Alexandra Trese (Shay Mitchell and Liza Soberano), an enigmatic warrior and detective with a unique ancient capability to communicate between the dead and the living. In Trese’s city of Manila, extraordinary and ancient paranormal forces have created a deadly brew with the city’s ominous criminal underground. As massacres and chaos begin to become more frequent within Manila, Trese is determined to find the source of the attacks and end them by any means possible.
The show delivers incredible cinematography and stunning visuals, that allow the story of Trese to seamlessly translate from graphic novel to screen. The adaptation even includes occasional black-and-white scenes; a nod to the black-and-white graphics novel style. The combination of great voice acting and storytelling makes Trese a compelling binge-worthy show that will undoubtedly compete with other horror anime shows. With a blend of action, horror, and dives into other-worldly undergrounds, Trese has something for every fan of Anime.
Notably, Filipino-American, Jay Oliva is the director of the adaptation. Oliva has worked as a director, co-director, and storyboard artist on numerous DC and Marvel films and tv shows with a reputation for Batman films. Undoubtedly, the shadowy and often chiaroscuro scenes from Batman adaptations are apparent throughout almost every scene in the show. Manila acts similarly to Gotham in Trese, with a breeding basement of crime under the city promising constant waves of disruption and chaos.
Trese will leave viewers unable to glance away from the screen as unspeakable acts of violence contrast with the incredible amount of power and hope coming from within Alexandra Trese. The anime is not for those faint of heart or stomach, as gore and depravity are at the center of everything the show represents, but they won't be for long if the young troublesome Trese has anything to say about it.
More: 10 Greatest Horror Anime of All Time
Source: Netflix