Summary
It has all the elements to be a well-received anime.
This review of the Netflix anime series Trese season 1 does not contain spoilers.
Netflix continues with its momentum to gain market share in the anime world with the Filipino horror/crime black and white comic adaptation of Trese. This is an obvious banker for the streaming service. It has all the elements to be a well-received anime.
The story follows Alexandra Trese, a young detective that deals with supernatural origins in a human world conflicted with the Underworld. It’s dark and gritty by design, consuming the audience with the story, attempting to bring the award-winning comic books to life.
At 6 chapters long, Trese does enough to sell the character; she is presented as cool and balanced, adorning her long coat, and has the ability to conquer anything being thrown at her. The series does well to give the audience small snippets, with each chapter giving a new investigation, eventually leading to a final, challenging event for the lead character.
With consistent animation and a flurry of exposition per chapter, there is no requirement for any viewer to delve into the comic books. The creators have done marvelously well to sell this obtuse world, where humans seem acutely aware of supernatural and paranormal phenomena. Alexandra gives off The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo vibes with her no-bullshit approach, while conquering a past she’s partly unaware of.
Trese does sell an overriding plot point; the series of events hints at an apocalypse, ready to shroud the human world. Alexandra’s challenges grow stronger with each chapter, providing the audience with flashbacks, that hold a torch to the comics, giving those scenes in black and white.
As for longevity, Netflix’s Trese leaves enough to warrant a continuation — the season 1 finale does not feel conclusive enough to end it here; it’s clear that the team behind Trese has plenty more seasons in mind. Let’s hope Netflix agrees.
