Bayside Shakedown N.E.W.

Veteran police detective, Shunsaku Aoshima, has received a mission: he is to run around Shinjuku following the instructions of a criminal who has kidnapped a small boy. Aoshima risks his life as he progresses on foot, by subway and on an electric scooter – all while the operation is followed live by an audience, commenting and filming everything. The events meet a surprising end when the large audience gets a reason to criticise the police. The entire operation has been downloaded using the police’s new CROW EYE AI program, with the purpose of anticipating the criminal’s next steps.

Then there’s more: fishy hotel murders and young women connected to them. AI is incapable of connecting the killings which don’t seem to have a motive. What is needed is old-school, on the ground police work, brains and a good team. Once again, this can only mean Aoshima.

Bayside Shakedown began from Fuji TV’s popular police show, and went on to become a 1998 box office hit in Japan with its later film version. This film was granted multiple sequels. Aoshima and his team aren’t the most polished nor the brightest, but against the expectations of their superiors, the team of underdogs always solves their cases. Even now with Aoshima being on the older side.

Eija Niskanen (translated by Tara Tuchyner)