International- "Followers" is a Japanese drama now showing on
Netflix . The full series has nine episodes currently available to watch on the streaming service. - The show charts the parallel stories of a famous photographer and the aspiring actress she makes Instagram-famous. Both women navigate life and love in
Tokyo as they seek to define success on their own terms. - "Followers" tracks its characters' lives on and offline, exploring how social media amplifies their achievements and deepens their moments of self-doubt.
- The series is a visual wonderland. It's perfect for foodies and fashion fans, depicting daily life in Tokyo filtered through a vibrant Instagrammable aesthetic.
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Set amongst the glittering parties and neon-lit bars frequented by Tokyo's fashion set, "Followers" charts the parallel stories of legendary but lonely photographer Limi Nara (Miki Nakatani), and the struggling actress she turns into a star.
The night Limi is celebrated at an awards ceremony, actress Natsume Hyakuta (Elaiza Ikeda) is serving her canapés. But the pair cross paths again, when Limi spots Natsume in furious tears after being humiliated at a photo shoot. She catches the moment on camera, and posts it on
Why you should care: The story is bold, the characters are brilliant and every scene is beautiful.
"Followers" boldly presents a successful, strong-minded woman who has the financial security to raise a child without a husband, and a solid circle of friends who support her journey to find a willing sperm donor. Limi's desire to be a mother is heartfelt, but "Followers" never paints her as selfish for valuing her professional freedom.
Meanwhile, Natsume has fallen into a career rut solely portraying deceased characters and moonlighting as an Uber Eats driver. She grabs onto her newfound social influence as a lifeline, but soon finds herself spiralling as she counts her likes and agonises over callous comments.
"Followers" explores the illusory power of social media to create an alternative reality. Online, Natsume is suddenly the trending young actress everyone wants to befriend. In reality, she's still struggling to win better roles, and when online haters threaten to destroy her fledgeling career, she makes a stand to forge her own path.
What's hot: The cinematography. Come for the eclectic fashion, gorgeous cityscape and lingering shots of sashimi and sake.
"Followers" is photographer-turned-director Mika Ninagawa's first TV series. The filmmaker has previously helmed darker showbiz drama "Helter Skelter" and disturbing fantasy flick "Diner." Here, she brings her eye for lush cinematography to every shot.
Each scene is vivid with colour and feeling: Natsume and her friends lunch in pastel pink cafes where influencers side-eye each other and gossip over decadent pastries that look too good to eat, while Limi's pop star friend smashes her glittering trophies to pieces in a crimson apartment, the room's red hues reflecting her rage.
From Limi exploring the enchanting light displays at the Borderless digital art exhibition in Odaiba to Natsume watching the fragile falling petals of a cherry blossom tree, Ninagawa imbues "Followers" with the electric energy and acute loneliness of life in Tokyo.
The characters traverse tourist hotspots, staging photoshoots at Shibuya Crossing and going on dates to the Kawaii Monster Café in Harajuku. Meanwhile, Ninagawa's real-life celebrity friends pop up to make cool cameos. Limi's dizzying world is populated by stars such as model Yu Yamada, actor Nao Omori, and singer Miyavi.
"Followers" uses cinematography to echo the double lives its stars lead on and offline. Phone screens overlay reality as Natsume soaks up the likes pouring in from fans following her attendance at a make-up launch, while other scenes are shot with a wavering focus akin to vlogging — the intimate close-ups echoing the characters' feelings of exhaustion and alienation in a fleeting, fast-paced world.
What's not: 'Followers' prioritises the journey over the destination. Despite the strong visuals, the story itself might not sustain everyone's attention.
This focus on aesthetics means that "Followers" often meanders through its plot. The narrative divide between Limi and Natsume is further splintered by scenes that follow the lives of their friends. While this can be confusing, the eclectic cast of characters enriches the story.
The show also portrays a diverse range of relationships. While Natsume falls for actor and YouTube star Hiraku (Shuhei Uesugi), her artist friend Sunny (Misaki Koshi) plays the field, dating several different women throughout the series. Limi's easy-going manager Yuruco (Nobuaki Kaneko) is happily in love with his Italian boyfriend Michael (Christopher McCombs), while their mutual friend, high-powered businesswoman Eriko (Mari Natsuki), has a much younger boyfriend who adores her.
Each love story is rendered tenderly and every character is given their moment to shine.
The bottom line: 'Followers' is a love letter to Tokyo that captures the hypnotic allure of social media
"Followers" uses the ephemeral glamour of an Instagram feed to hone in on the stark reality of chasing happiness in the big city. The show is a vivid portrait of two women, their identities fractured into pixels for public consumption, now reclaiming their lives.
Grade: B
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