Drama Digest
Heaven and Hell: Soul Exchange (English title) is a Japanese drama well-written by Yoshiko Morishita and directed by Yuichiro Hirakawa, Takahiro Aoyama, and Aya Matsuki. The drama is based on solving a murder mystery. The female protagonist Ayako Mochizuki played by Haruka Ayase is a 35-year-old detective who investigates a murder case involving the male protagonist Haruto Hikada played by Issey Takahashi, who is the prime suspect. Owing to the evidence she collected, she goes to arrest Haruto but just before that, their bodies get swapped.
The Feel-Good Part
With the plot twists keeping the viewers on the edge of their seats, this Japanese drama showcases the finest acting skills owing to the body-switching element in the story. The character who never fails to astonish the users was Kazuki Kitamura; a brazen-faced, arrogant yet person with high intellect, and Mitsuo Kawahara, a highly motivated detective. Both of them are hard on the heels of the protagonists as they attempt to squabble themselves out of the quandary.
The journey towards a satisfying wrap-up for the drama was marked by a memorable scene portrayed by Mochizuki and Hikada in the interrogation room which left the audience devastated and with pangs of heartbreak for the much-loved character; Hikada.
The Disappointing Factor
Even though the drama earned high ratings and let its viewers learn a lot about the terms related to police, it suspends reality. The body-swapping twist is just for the name of fun and comedy to balance the dark psychotic murder mystery. The highlight of the drama wasn’t the gratifying ending but the clues that were given to the viewers to guess what could happen next during the 6 to 8 episodes. But later, the plot became quite predictable. Also, the legend regarding the stone, moon/sun, and the dream look like a scattered jigsaw puzzle and this needs to be put together in an orderly manner.
In-Depth Analysis
The story revolves around a young detective belonging to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s unit of violent crime who is looking for opportunities to make herself known with much dignity and respect. One day she is given that big chance she was looking for, which required her to arrest a murder suspect all by herself.
But before, she could close the cuffs, her body gets switched with that of a highly intellectual entrepreneur who owns a successful start-up but is secretly a psychopathic murderer. Thus, the story marks the beginning of unending thrills. This story attempts to challenge one’s beliefs in good and evil and what was known about men and women. As the body-swapped duo are drawn closer to each other, an unexpected truth dawns upon the two enemies.
Star Power
The drama indeed captivates a large number of viewers because of its exceptional cast. From main leads to supporting leads, the acting skills didn’t fail to stun everyone and thus the actors received much love and recognition.
Overall Opinion
The drama power-packed with mystery and suspense will keep you hooked onto your seats and will take you on a ride of increased heart pace. If you are looking for a drama with a dark, grim aura yet a satisfying ending, this shall be your top pick.
