Miss Sherlock (2018) User Reviews

The lead actress is worth the whole show.

[biegeheart · 8/10 · 23 June 2018]

The writing is good but could be better. I do hope that by season 2(Hopefully!) there's more focus on the story! :)

Miss Sherlock's chemistry with Wato was the best part of the whole season one.

Love letter to the detective and Japan

[chriskeizur · 7/10 · 12 September 2018]

Miss Sherlock is an interesting take on the classic tales we all know. The series moves along at a brisk pace, the mysteries are fun to unravel alongside the lead detective and everything is well-shot.

It may not be a perfect show, but anyone who is a fan of the BBC Sherlock or the novels should be engrossed. And there are some unique camera techniques throughout the episodes that lend a dynamism to the whole proceedings.

Definitely give the series a shot

déjà vu substitute option

[flipiportman · 7/10 · 30 May 2018]

If you've seen the recent Sherlock series' with Dr Strangely B. Cumberbatch this will feel rather familiar.

It's good, not great. The plot complexities you'd expect out of the modern Sherlock is there, but it's more a net than a tapestry unfortunately (and I tend to ignore plot holes lest they spoil my fun).

Since I have no other Sherlock in front of me, this will do, for now.

Big big fan

[randikathaleen · 10/10 · 19 April 2019]

As ever when I sit down to read or watch Sherlock, I am a bit leery.

Miss Sherlock blew me away. This Sherlock reminds me of Ronald Howard's Sherlock. She is obviously strange, intelligent and struggles with social cues.

Wato-son (loved the soft play the writers did with her name) is sweet and naive but a solid match for Sherlock.

Their on screen chemistry is superb.

Aside from that I really enjoyed the story lines, and the way Sherlock focuses on details around the case, rather than on the people. Also, love love love the use of camera angles and coloring.

I am afraid i lost something in the translation, even with the subtitles, it is just a nuanced language. Still.

I cannot wait for a second season.

Meh!

[westsideschl · 6/10 · 17 August 2019]

Positives: Crimes were a little different than what you typically see. Interesting mix of character types. Negatives: The "Sherlock" classical observational sleuthing was not too believable - strained credulity. Acting was a bit excessive, bizarre & stereotyped (i.e. Sherlock's antagonisms w/superiors & others; the medical "doctor" as acquiescent assistant; Sherlock herself). Doesn't appear to be a second season for those who really liked it.

Hoping for S2

[annadhine · 10/10 · 18 October 2018]

I really enjoyed watching Miss Sherlock, it is so engaging.. and I am looking forward for Season 2, i hope there will be season 2.. if not I will be really sad though.. kudos to the Team.

Miss Sherlock offers a genuinely fun, slightly uneasy take on a familiar concept and character dynamic.

[punch87 · 6/10 · 18 December 2019]

Yes, this all sounds very familiar... but this adaptation features some major differences that make it worth a watch for any fan of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock, or international TV.

Good Bold Adaption of Sherlock Holmes

[babthunder007 · 10/10 · 15 June 2018]

Very interesting and creative adaption - Bringing Sherlock Holmes to life if such a personality lived in our times. The cast really have given life to the characters in a unique way and makes you want to re-watch it many times! The friendship and bond between Sherlock and Watson alternatives are very fun to watch, also at times moving for viewers. Only complaint is that it be more better if the seasons had more episodes and took their own pace.

Makes you look forward to next seasons.

Definitely recommended for weekend watching!

A Japanese Mystery

[chiumt · 7/10 · 11 December 2019]

I am a fan of Japanese mysteries. The storylines of some of the episodes are intriguing. The denouement are often unexpected. The characters are unattractive. One is arrogant and obnoxious. The other is stupid and naive. Maybe it's cultural. But you have to put up with the slapstick humour

It's hard to get past the overwrought, soap-operatic presentation and constant overt exposition.

[connorundrumme · 4/10 · 6 September 2018]

The acting in this series is uber-cringe-worthy, even with tertiary characters that don't have lines to speak. (The panicking & screaming reaches Godzilla levels.) The main actors are incredibly exaggerated, but empty, portrayals. And being rude, with strange smiling moments, dashing about & displaying exaggerated movements doesn't totally equate to Sherlock's full complement of original characteristics. Its also frequently peppered with poorly attempted humor/levity, including baby-voiced squealing & giggles, that are neither cute nor appealing, but dumb, and repulsive. Partially, this may be a cultural interpretation, but it really cheapens the brand with it's melodramatic silliness and lack of gravitas. There is also familiar, dramatic Sherlock music playing while nothing in particular is happening. Even the 1984 UK series, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" has done the Conan-Doyle stories and characters far more credit.

Lastly, Sherlock comes to swift initial assertions with almost no information. There is far less logical deduction than unsupported speculation along the way. Less than halfway through both episodes 1 & 2, one can predict the crime's culprits. It's weak. Any online positivity about this series should eventually dry up.

RIP ,Yuko Takeuchi

[strpyw · 10/10 · 8 November 2020]

Watching this show for the first time, after death of lead actress Yuko Takeuchi, is really painful.Her acting was superb.

Maybe its a cultural thing?

[Ceronomus · 3/10 · 28 November 2018]

Just watched "The First Case" as part of our annual Holmes for the Holidays tradition. I had great hopes and high expectations, I was sorely disappointed. While the mystery itself was quite interesting, the portrayal of Sherlock is over the top repugnant. She is often rude, laughs while discussing people being murdered, and flat out threatens Wato-san.

While, in "Sherlock" the series, Holmes refers to himself as a "functioning sociopath" the Sherlock of this program is frighteningly unhinged and seems more likely of committing a murder than of solving one.

The only thing I can think of is that this horrid portrayal is due to cultural differences. The 10-star reviews I'm seeing do not appear to be from native English speakers so maybe there is something on that level that I'm wholly ignorant of. While I freely admit, that may be the case, if you are a Western fan of Holmes, you should probably take a pass on this one.

We're going to give the show another chance but...I no longer have any hopes and my expectations are pretty low.

Watolock

[chunika · 10/10 · 10 June 2018]

Loving Miss Sherlock and of course Watolock. Hoping for a season 2.

Yuko slayed it and the cases were intriguing! Gotta watch

[titaniaerzascarlet-14015 · 10/10 · 10 April 2019]

Please watch this show as its really amazing and totally on par with bbc's Sherlock series for sure. The plot twists are so intriguing that they keep you hooked till the end. You totally will fall for the female Sherlock's eccentricity for sure as its really entertaining to watch too. The side characters are on point to as I enjoy Sherlock and Shibata's bickering way too much. Then our Wato (Watson) is played decently too. The interactions between Sherlock and Wato were the best and the cases will never ever let you down, especially the rrevelation of stella maris and shiba sisters! You have to watch this show for sure!

The Modern Sherlock I've Been Waiting For

[blackielindsay · 9/10 · 2 September 2020]

My roommate and I just discovered this show, and we started watching it immediately. We were hooked from the first episode. Each episode encompasses an interesting mystery, but it always builds enough time to get you invested in the characters and their journey. It's a modern adaptation that stays true to the feeling of the original stories while providing a fresh take on what it would mean to be a consulting detective in the modern day. The only problem is that I'm waiting for a season 2!

Lower Your Expectations- Little Resemblance to Classic Sherlock

[gigchick · 4/10 · 25 September 2018]

It is regrettable that I feel that I have to give Miss Sherlock such a poor review. This program had all the potential of being a smart, sharp retelling of a Sherlock Holmes type of investigator that, in this instance, happens to be a female from Japan. Yuko Takeuchi as Miss Sherlock carries the physical stature and laser like focus on clues admirably well but there ends the similarities with the classic Sherlock Holmes, a tortured soul who struggles to integrate into society. Miss Sherlock turns that inner turmoil into just three gears- inappropriate laughing and giggling, strange, child-like body movements in public and creepy eye contact worthy of a horror film psychopath. All of these actions are no where to be found in the Sherlock Holmes lore. This program has an obviously low budget as seen in the poorly lit scenes along with awkward and quickly shot scenes. The female version of John Watson, portrayed by Shihori Kanjiya as surgeon Wato, has a better grasp of her role but is burdened by poor character writing. Why is Wato so naïve as not to know what a drug 'pusher' does for a living? I would actually continue watching the series just for Kanjiya's grounded acting but alas, my disappointment in the other characters and writing would limit my attention span.

Loving this!

[mikaelalarsson · 10/10 · 19 October 2019]

I loved everything about the first season. How could it be cancelled? This is more traumatizing than Firefly being cancelled.

Another failed adaptation

[kurosil · 3/10 · 3 May 2018]

I'm a fan of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes for the longest time. The only adaptation that I personally approved was the first 3 season of Sherlock (potrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch) and I've seen all 4 seasons. I don't even like the movies. Now that's out of the way, let's get right down to it.

'Miss' Sherlock. It's in the title. Throughout the pilot, I noticed that they tried to copy a lot of things from the aforementioned drama instead from the original source. So, in essence, it's an adaptation of an adaptation. Without giving too much away, you'll find almost all the counterparts are of the same role in this drama (like how Lestrade is what-his-name and such) but you'll find that their characters are glaringly different. Am I the only one that find that Lestrade wannabe laughed too much that it's bordering to being creepy?

The characters don't play the roles all that well. I find it's hard to think the Sherlock in this timeline to be brilliant. Observant, exceedingly off-puttingly weird, maybe, but not brilliant. Because the process of investigation shown in the pilot is CSI-like, not Holmes-like (Holmes nerds like me would know why). A background check and presto, you got the perp? I mean, really?

I get why the pilot did not start of with Holmes and Watson's first case (if they actually do, then it's actually worse than I thought). Unfortunately there's no brilliance in this. Almost all the tricks were circumstantials and some behind the camera explanations.

I like that it's trying to be different (female leads instead of males etc) but if you can't find good actors, directors and scriptwriters, you might as well save yourselves from embarassment and don't bother.

PERFECT

[egump-75592 · 10/10 · 5 May 2021]

My family and I got HBO to watch godzilla but we kept it. I was looking through the shows for something to watch to keep me entertained. I saw this show and I fell in love with the first episode. I love how the show always throws plot twists in whose the actual villain. Although the wato character was irritating as she was so naive, miss sherlock was my favorite. She was funny, adorable, and smart. I know she's just a character but this show is lovely. I really hope there's a second season because I cried at the end.

Another Interesting Interpretation of the Sherlock Legend

[jhboswell · 8/10 · 2 September 2021]

This series of eight episodes, produced in Japan in 2018, is an Oriental-flavored take on the brilliant, resourceful crime fighter who was created for Victorian England times. It always seems strange to see him (or in this case, her) re-cast into modern times which actually began with Basil Rathbone in the 1040's; but, the character and his adventures have clearly been proven to work anywhere and in any time. So, after some getting used to, this is a moderately enjoyable series of adventures. The cast is superb: Yûko Takeuchi as Sherlock is brilliant, quirky and fun, and I believe her interpretation will be found extremely valuable in years to come. Shihori Kanjiya as Wato is delightful, and so pretty and charming she often distracts the scene. The supporting actors are also faultless, and show a clear discipline to the long history of Japanese theatre. The stories are somewhat light, and imply some difficulty in interpreting the action-packed stories to the Oriental mind set. The production is very well done.

Writing Review as I Watch Finale

[lance-lee · 8/10 · 1 June 2023]

Although hard for me as I read the translation as I watch, I've just finished Ep7 with the Finale, Ep8, playing as I type. I liked Sherlock's/Takeuchi's quirkiness and body language. I really liked her emotions in Ep7 after killing Wato's boyfriend who was willingly trying to infect Tokyo/the World with a probable deadly virus/pandemic.

It pains me as I researched the leading actress via the internet, I discovered Y. Takeuchi had died ~3 years prior to me watching this (probable suicide). She was beautiful, talented, but somehow torn/unhappy/depressed/troubled beyond my understanding. Please RIP ms. Yuko Takeuchi.:(

Another copy!

[pumpernikielmniam · 3/10 · 19 December 2018]

There were many movies and series about Sherlock, some were good and some - really bad. This series is nothing new. It is like female version of the latest Sherlock portrayed by B. Cumberbatch only... it is worse. Quite boring to see a copy of Sherlock & Watsaon's behaviour from other series. So, no thank you. PS. It is not a cultural thing as I am not native English speaker and I rate it 3 stars.

Sir Arthur is turning in his grave

[ewscky · 1/10 · 31 March 2019]

A cocktail of horrible acting, plots without even a shadow of creativity and highly absurd, badly written lines this show has easily become the worst adaption of the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. My only praise is the camera shots.

A twist to a classic show.

[firefox2k · 5/10 · 6 November 2020]

I am sure this doesn't need too much of an introduction, but it is based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective Sherlock Holmes. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this show really lays it on heavily. If you are a fan of the BBC's Sherlock, then this was made to imitate that , to the best of it's abilities. However , this is not quite as warm and creative as the show it is trying to dedicate itself too. Though show has the same quirky style, music (although in a almost 16 bit score for the music. In the first episode they even play the Sherlock theme.) Enter, Yuko Takeuchi, a female version of Sherlock ( acted with the imitation and form of Benedict Cumberbatch). Also with Shihori Kanjiya as a female version of Watson. These two meet and run around Japan solving mysteries like a great detective should. The writing is a little weak and the stories are very predictable, sometimes they don't leave the revealing twist until the very last scene, which is always horrible in storytelling. You should always leave bread crumbs and have a build up and not be forced to reveal everything at the final end of a great detective story. The editing is bad and the dialog is choppy, and the pace is slower than it should be However, there can be some delight in knowing that this is still active, while the BBC series is still in suspension. ( Benedict Cumberbatch still has the option of doing 1 more season of Sherlock. But considering how horrible the 4th series was, there is no rush for him to return.)

i was over hyped!

[drramimagdi · 4/10 · 30 April 2018]

Ok so this comes from a normal guy who loved the fast pace and the way of filming "mind palace" done by RDJ & Benedict Cumberbatch in their adaptation of the character. Lets get started Miss Sherlock is weird , yes not is she.. likable/ funny (by me as spectator) ? i don't know what future episodes hold! but as far as episode 1 goes NO! Is she portrayed as smart? yes but she made some blatant mistakes i am mad she did that (or let some thing happen) I loved Wato-San though but the way she ends up being roommate with sherlock felt forced you can notice the police investigator laughing without any reason in a scene, i wonder if they forgot to do montage! Also the crying was cringeworthy in a scene that i had to fast forward that scene in the end , i expected better from HBO, I expected better from Japan (There is a famous brilliant japanese anime called Detective Conan that is inspired from the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the author of Sherlock Holmes and it disappoints me to watch this)