Sins of Kujo Review: An Impactful Drama That Packs Interesting Punches

Sins of Kujo Review: No-nonsense lawyer Kujo separates morality from his job and focuses on defending the dark underbelly of society, from petty criminals to the yakuza. Joined by lawyer Karasuma, the two wield the law’s powers in their favour.

The series has 10 episodes, each with a runtime of around 45 minutes, and is adapted from the manga series Kujo no Taizai (九条の大罪) by Manabe Shohei (真鍋昌平).

Sins of Kujo Review

Sins of Kujo is an interesting watch. Following an unconventional lawyer who seemingly only helps the worst of society, the series shows him using unconventional and morally ambiguous methods to help those in need. Although it might seem like he’s a terrible person from the outside, the reality of the situation is quite different, and he mostly leaves viewers and his idealistic colleague, Shinji Karasuma, pleasantly surprised when all is said and done.

First and foremost, this might be the first time I am seeing Japan so grim and oddly hopeless. The series doesn’t waste time showing us much glitz and glamour, and, rather, focuses on the reality of life for the common people who sometimes lose hope in an unforgiving world. It’s a strange watch that does a great job of creating this very morose reality as you watch people getting bullied or not getting justice.

In that regard, Kujo and Karasuma do a fantastic job of creating a somewhat safe space. Where Kujo fights a bit more ambiguously, Karasuma is all of us wanting to get down on the battlefield and bring all the criminals to justice. Reality, however, is hardly ever as simple and thus, it’s their camaraderie that ultimately brings a satisfying conclusion.

The series follows a mix of procedural case-of-the-week storytelling with an overarching conflict with the yakuza. We see the series showcasing these various situations and pushing the yakuza arc forward for 10 episodes, which, for me, was far too long to be considered interesting at the end of it. As a result of it, the pacing suffers, and it often fails to remain cohesive and provide tense storytelling. After the first (several) few, you want to get to the point. However, the point remains quite far away.

We see the series expanding through Karasuma’s point of view, as he is both fascinated and sceptical of Kujo’s methods. Kujo isn’t stuck with only doing the right thing. That and his connection to Karasuma are what drive the series forward, exploring society’s follies and the law’s drawbacks with ease. Some overstay their welcome, while others feel completely unnecessary, but ultimately, the series does a job of exploring the law vs justice theme. Nothing in this world is black and white, and Karasuma (and the audience) sees that every step of the way.

As Kujo uses the law as a tool and not as a moral compass, we understand how the law in Japan works, along with our protagonist’s mind. Good lawyers are often those who can navigate the law to get their clients out instead of those who see moral justice, and the series makes this abundantly clear throughout. Kujo’s personal life, which is also in shambles considering he lives inside a rooftop tent, is another point of interest that takes time to open up to us.

Yagira Yuya is a delightful Kujo, and his steely portrayal of the no-nonsense attorney makes for a very charming watch. It’s hard to understand what he’s thinking or what his next move is, which makes him perfect for the role. Meanwhile, Matsumura Hokuto, as Karasuma, is also fantastic as he’s more emotionally driven and always looking forward to doing what’s right. The two make for a great team

Final Thoughts

Sins of Kujo is enjoyable, but it’s too long to hold on to the excitement and tension that it tries to bring forth. While the worldbuilding and performances are great, it takes too long to get to the point. Viewers might find themselves losing interest halfway through the runtime, which is truly a shame.

What are your thoughts on Sins of Kujo? Let us know in the comments below!

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