Giri/Haji (2019)
A Tokyo detective crosses continents to find his fugitive brother before a yakuza war consumes everything he loves.
Giri/Haji - Series Information
- Original Title: Giri/Haji
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Created by: Joe Barton
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 8
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Japanese
- First Air Date: October 17, 2019 (United States - TV-MA), October 17, 2019 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: BBC Two
- Alternative Titles: Giri Haji (UK), Giri / Haji (US), Pflicht & Schande (DE), 义理.耻 (CN)
- Production Companies: SISTER, BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Giri/Haji - Plot
Family duty sends a lawman to London to look for his mob-assassin brother as a yakuza war threatens to engulf Tokyo. Trust is even tougher to find.
Giri/Haji - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the two worlds of Giri/Haji collide:
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Giri/Haji - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Joe Barton
Main Cast
- Takehiro Hira
- Kelly Macdonald
- Yosuke Kubozuka
- Will Sharpe
- Aoi Okuyama
- Yuko Nakamura
- Katsuya
- Tony Pitts
- Yoshiki Minato
- Masahiro Motoki
Writers
- Joe Barton
Executive Producers
- Julian Farino
- Ben Irving
- Joe Barton
- Jane Featherstone
- Chris Fry
Giri/Haji - FAQs
What does the title Giri/Haji actually mean?
The title translates from Japanese as 'Duty/Shame' — two concepts that sit at the moral heart of the series. Detective Kenzo Mori is torn between his obligation to family and the disgrace his brother's criminal life has brought upon them, making these opposing forces the engine of every major decision in the story.
Is Giri/Haji worth watching?
Absolutely. Giri/Haji earned widespread critical acclaim for its bold genre-blending, stunning visuals, and emotionally layered performances. It holds a rare 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised for seamlessly weaving Japanese and British storytelling traditions into something genuinely original. A must-watch for fans of intelligent crime drama.
Where can you stream Giri/Haji?
Giri/Haji is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. Both options give you access to all eight episodes of the single season, making it an easy weekend binge for anyone drawn to its Tokyo-to-London crime thriller premise.
Who plays the lead detective in Giri/Haji?
Takehiro Hira plays Kenzo Mori, the Tokyo detective at the centre of the story. His restrained, deeply felt performance anchors the entire series. Kelly Macdonald co-stars as Sarah, a London police officer who becomes entangled in Kenzo's search, and the chemistry between the two is one of the show's quiet highlights.
Did Giri/Haji win any major awards?
Giri/Haji received strong awards recognition, earning BAFTA nominations including Best Drama Series. Will Sharpe's performance as Rodney was particularly celebrated, and the show's distinctive visual style and writing were widely cited by critics' associations. It stands as one of the most decorated British crime dramas of its year.
Where was Giri/Haji filmed?
The series was filmed across two countries to reflect its dual-city narrative. London locations capture the gritty, rain-soaked atmosphere of the British capital, while sequences set in Tokyo were shot on location in Japan. The contrast between the two cities is visually striking and central to the show's identity.
Why is Giri/Haji rated TV-MA?
Giri/Haji carries a TV-MA rating for its unflinching depictions of organised crime violence, strong language, and mature thematic content including family trauma, addiction, and moral corruption. The show handles these elements with purpose rather than gratuitousness, but viewers should expect a series that doesn't shy away from darkness.
What shows are similar to Giri/Haji?
If Giri/Haji hooked you, Tokyo Vice offers a similar East-meets-West crime world with stylish direction. McMafia and Gangs of London deliver comparable organised crime intensity with a British edge. For something tonally closer — deadpan wit wrapped around genuine menace — Giri/Haji remains in a class of its own.
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