Guildford, UK – A new bingeable series hit Netflix this year is a captivating 10-episode show called “Bet.”
Based on the manga “Kakegurui” (released on Netflix in 2017) “Bet” follows the same premise – a corrupt private boarding school ruled by gambling – about to be shattered by a teenage Japanese girl seeking revenge.
Listen to the author read this review:
“Bet” has left me completely hooked and craving a second season, and while I have not watched “Kakegurui,” “Bet” appears to be better than its animated predecessor.
With colorful live-action characters, “Bet” draws you in in a way “Kakegurui” was never able to draw me in, by giving the viewer real people to sympathize with. For me, this is crucial as it expands the tension felt for the characters as they constantly gamble away their futures. As they are humans, you innately care more for their lives than you would for animated characters.
The murderous undertone created by the suspicious main character Yumeko (beautifully played by actress Miku Martineau) adds to the tension as you soon realize that Yumeko wants blood, giving an even more sinister look to the show.
The diverse set of personas is one of my favorite things about “Bet” as it marks the show out to be truly modern, and combined with the young age of the characters – who are in their mid to late teens – makes “Bet” a perfect series for Gen Z.
Plus, the shonen anime style of “Kakegurui” is reflected in “Bet” through the red and black color scheme which dominates the characters’ school uniform and both the interior and exterior décor of St. Dominic’s, a prep school.
This style is further incorporated into the characters’ costumes and makeup. The two main characters (Yumeko and Kira) both have black or near-black hair, contrasted heavily with their paper-white skin and vibrant lipstick.
This classic anime-inspired look is great for the escapism aspects of the show as it provides a thrilling anime landscape for the viewers to jump into but doesn’t give off any allusions of horror which the original manga (“Kakegurui”) gave me.
So if you have some time to spare and are looking for a new series to watch, “Bet” is the show for you. I’ll wager you’ll be hooked before you know it.
Manuel Bernardo Tavares Moreira Belo Carmona is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
