Heaven and Hell: The Tale Of Two Psychopaths

 Just watched the first episode of the Ayase Haruka/Takahashi Issei crime drama “Tengoku to Jigoku: Psychona Futari “ and so far it has been a HOOT! Haruka plays a detective named Ayako Mochizuki who is on the trail of a serial killer who marks his victims with an ominous marking on the palm of their hands.

She is a dedicated detective who uses her keen sense of smell to locate clues most others would pass up, but due to an error arresting a past suspect, Ayako has been demoted and is shunned by most of the force. The only one she has on her side is her assistant Yamaki (Junpei Mizubata) but even HE has reservations about his superior’s questionable actions….

In particular she clashes with headstrong Mitsuo Kawahara (Kitamura Kazuki), a brash and condescending detective who is always there to belittle Ayako’s efforts and usurp and advancements she discovers in the investigation…

Despite all of this, she manages to find clue no one else has- the use of a distinct solvent used at the murder site. Tracking down the chemical, she finds it is a trial version not used commercially. This brings her to the president of the solvent’s company, Haruto Hidaka (Issei Takahashi). 

At once Ayako’s instincts tell her this man has something wrong about him, and when he inadvertently lets facts about the case slip that only the murderer would know, she begins to investigate him in earnest.

But with protocols being what they are, Ayako is pushed aside in the case and is reduced to investigating on her own, without the department’s permission.

Once she has collected enough evidence to bring the man in, she goes to confront Hidaka. Though at first denying the charges, he becomes belligerent when Mochizuki attempts to handcuff him, struggling against her until they BOTH tumble down a flight of stairs, hitting their heads and losing consciousness…

When she comes to, Mochizuki is shocked to her a strange voice coming out of her throat when she speaks.  Grasping her throat, she feels a distinct Adam’s apple there… fearing the worst, she goes to a mirror…and discovers she has SWITCHED BODIES with Hidaka!!!

Hoe can this be? what will she do? But she had no time to dawdle, because in the very next room, the evil Hidaka has discovered he has jumped into HER body…and intends to use it for his OWN sinister plans!!!

Oh MAN, what a cliffhanger!!! Tengoku to Jigoku: Psychona Futari reminds me a lot of the recent Vince Vaughn/Kathryn Newton movie “Freaky” where a peppy High School girl named Millie switches bodies with a serial killer named the Blissfield Butcher-
Hopefully this drama can deliver the same thrills and chills as the movie, and I’ll be waiting for each episode with bated breath!!