Netflix’s ‘Kakegurui’ Adaptation Falls Flat

Impressed by Homura Kawamoto’s beloved manga “Kakegurui” (which interprets to “compulsive gambler”) and tailored for tv by “Warrior Nun” creator Simon Berry, Netflix‘s latest dramedy series, “Bet,” is a tale of chance and retribution. The show follows Yumeko (Miku Martineau), a new transfer student to the exclusive St. Dominic’s Prep, a college attended by the kids of essentially the most ruthless elite the place they obtain a really singular schooling. A standard curriculum is nowhere to be discovered. As an alternative, college students play numerous video games, playing large sums of cash (offered by their dad and mom) to rise in St. Dominic’s social hierarchy and reign over the home pets, college students who’ve fallen into huge debt who’re subjected to servitude. Regardless of its distinctive setting, “Bet” is repetitive and grows more and more wearisome, providing nothing new to the “Kakegurui” fandom. 

“Bet” begins with a whole lot of promise. After getting expelled from a nondescript American highschool, Yumeko eagerly transfers to St. Dominic’s mid-semester. Her presence on the establishment fully rattles the scholar council. Dominated by the vicious Kira (Clara Alexandrova ) and her (largely) nonverbal sister Riri (Anwen O’Driscoll), the council members additionally occur to carry the biggest wins, rating within the high 10 and dominating the downtrodden home pets. 

Whereas the council is used to being feared, Yumeko, who has secret causes for attending the varsity, eagerly steps into their crosshairs, and her presence throws the whole ecosystem of St. Dominic’s off-kilter. Nonetheless, the playing addict finds kinship with Ryan (Ayo Solanke), who’s overwhelmed by his attraction to her, Michael (Hunter Cardinal), who refuses to gamble and finally Mary (Eve Edwards), a former council member turned home pet. Instantly, Yumeko eagerly immerses herself into the various video games and bets at St. Dominic, rising within the ranks and threatening Kira’s maintain over the scholar physique. 
 
Sadly, there are numerous missteps in “Bet.” To begin, this Americanized adaptation feels wholly pointless. The success of “Kakegurui” has already spawned an anime collection, a live-action Japanese TV present (each of which will be seen on Netflix), two live-action movies and several other spinoffs. This 10-episode first season doesn’t add something distinctive or worthwhile to Kawamoto’s manga and as an alternative provides overly exaggerated renditions of the beloved characters that followers will seemingly wrestle to attach with. 

Yumeko is initially an intriguing character. Nevertheless, viewers will shortly lose empathy for her due to her therapy of others. She manipulates Ryan by utilizing his infatuation together with her, and her revenge obsession is so one-sided that she typically acts with out pondering and fails to contemplate how her actions may have an effect on the few individuals at St. Dominic’s who instantly embraced her. Although it’s apparent Yumeko has placed on a masks to guard herself from previous hurts and from being manipulated by Kira and her gang of terror, her fixed shrieking, overly bubbly fake persona and odd costuming selections (together with a ridiculous micro mini-skirt) don’t appear so as to add a lot to the plot. 

One of the vital attention-grabbing features of the collection is the various video games the St. Dominic’s pupils play to get themselves out of debt or preserve their Prime 10 standing. From the Home Wars in Episode 5 to the Home Pet Hunt in Episode 7, it’s fascinating to see how vicious these teenagers are, selecting to kill off their classmates as an alternative of getting to dwell as a home pet. But, as “Bet” continues, all of it feels repetitive. Clues about Yumeko’s true mission are sprinkled throughout the seasons. But, the revelations aren’t as stunning as promised when all is made plain within the closing couple of minutes of the Season 1 finale. 

General, “Bet” has an attention-grabbing premise. Barry provides audiences entry right into a sinister world pushed by greed, energy and the will to subjugate others. On the heart is a younger girl decided to attract blood and search vengeance it doesn’t matter what it may cost a little her.  Nevertheless, because the collection isn’t fairly devoted to the unique manga, and the earlier variations garnered such rave evaluations, “Bet” feels bland as compared and fully pointless.

“Bet” is now streaming on Netflix.