Burn The House Down: A Gripping and Sensational Thriller

Burn The House Down, a captivating and sensational thriller, made its highly-anticipated debut on Netflix in August 2023. Based on the manga series of the same name by Moyashi Fujisawa, this gripping drama stars talented actors Mei Nagano, Asuka Kudo, and Taishi Nakagawa. The story revolves around a young woman seeking revenge on her stepmother, whom she believes is responsible for a tragic fire that occurred 13 years ago. To achieve her goal, she adopts a false identity and works as her stepmother’s housekeeper.

In this article, we will provide you with an extensive overview of Burn The House Down, delving into its intriguing trailer, release date, storyline, cast and crew, fascinating behind-the-scenes anecdotes, reviews, and future prospects. Whether you’re a fan of mystery, suspense, or drama, prepare to be enthralled by the world of Burn The House Down.

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Trailer: A Glimpse into Intrigue

The official trailer for Burn The House Down premiered on July 13, 2023, a month before the show’s release. The trailer offers a glimpse into Anzu’s backstory, showcasing the heartbreaking moment she witnesses her mother being accused of causing the fire that claimed her father and sister’s lives. It also presents Anzu’s cunning plan to infiltrate the Mitarai family as their new housekeeper, using the alias “Rika.” The trailer tantalizes viewers with glimpses of the conflicts, secrets, and revelations Anzu encounters within the household, as well as her complex relationship with Haru, her stepmother’s son. Let’s watch the captivating trailer.

Release Date: Mark Your Calendars

Burn The House Down consists of ten suspense-filled episodes, scheduled to be released on Netflix on August 13, 2023. Each episode boasts an approximate runtime of 50 minutes, ensuring plenty of thrilling moments for viewers to immerse themselves in the story. The show carries a TV-14 rating, intended for mature audiences seeking an enthralling narrative experience.

Storyline: A Tale of Revenge and Intrigue

Burn The House Down draws inspiration from the manga series by Moyashi Fujisawa, which enjoyed a serialized run in Kodansha’s Kiss magazine from March 2017 to April 2021. The show centers around Anzu Mitarai, a determined young woman driven by a thirst for vengeance against her stepmother, Kyoka. Anzu takes on the role of a housekeeper under the guise of “Rika,” intending to expose Kyoka’s secrets, crimes, and ultimately ruin her reputation and marriage.

Anzu’s motivations stem from a tragic incident that unfolded thirteen years ago—a devastating fire that engulfed the Mitarai mansion, claiming the lives of her father and sister. In a cruel twist of fate, her mother, Yoko, was falsely accused of igniting the flames and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. Firmly convinced of Kyoka’s complicity in the fire and the subsequent framing of her mother, Anzu cunningly secures a position within the Mitarai household using a fabricated identity and resume.

However, Anzu’s plan faces numerous complications, further fueling the suspense and drama. These obstacles include her blossoming relationship with Haru Mitarai, Kyoka’s son, who falls in love with Anzu. Additionally, Mitsuhiro Mitarai, Kyoka’s husband, hides his own dark past, while Shaya Mitarai, Kyoka’s daughter, grows suspicious of Anzu’s intentions.

Burn The House Down intricately weaves themes of revenge, family, love, and betrayal into its riveting storyline. As viewers delve deeper into the drama, they will find themselves questioning their own moral compass, pondering the nature of justice and forgiveness.

Cast and Crew: A Talented Ensemble

Burn The House Down boasts a talented ensemble of actors and a dedicated crew who bring the show to life. Here are some of the key individuals involved in its production:

Mei Nagano as Anzu Mitarai/Rika: Mei Nagano, an accomplished actress known for her roles in films such as Half Blue Sky, The Confidence Man JP, and The 8th Night, portrays Anzu Mitarai. Anzu assumes the false identity of Rika while plotting her revenge against Kyoka, her stepmother.
Asuka Kudo as Haru Mitarai: Asuka Kudo, a versatile actor who has appeared in notable works like The Naked Director, Alice in Borderland, and The Promised Neverland, takes on the role of Haru Mitarai. Haru, Kyoka and Mitsuhiro’s son, finds himself falling in love with Anzu, complicating the already tense situation.
Taishi Nakagawa as Shaya Mitarai: Taishi Nakagawa, recognized for his performances in Your Lie in April, ReLIFE, and Kids on the Slope, portrays Shaya Mitarai. Shaya, Kyoka and Mitsuhiro’s daughter, remains suspicious of Anzu throughout the series.
Kyoka Suzuki as Kyoka Mitarai: Kyoka Suzuki, a seasoned actress whose notable works include Blood and Bones, The Queen’s Classroom, and The Naked Director, takes on the role of Kyoka Mitarai. Kyoka is Anzu’s stepmother, accused of starting the fire that claimed Anzu’s father and sister’s lives.
Mitsuhiro Oikawa as Mitsuhiro Mitarai: Mitsuhiro Oikawa, acclaimed for his appearances in Shin Godzilla, Aibou, and The Confidence Man JP, portrays Mitsuhiro Mitarai. Mitsuhiro, Kyoka’s husband, harbors a mysterious past that adds layers of complexity to the narrative.

The show is based on Moyashi Fujisawa’s manga series and is a collaborative production between Netflix and Kodansha. The talented cast and crew bring their creative vision to life under the direction of Taylor Hackford, Joaquim Dos Santos, Lauren Montgomery, and other accomplished directors. The writing team includes Joe Kelly, Man of Action Entertainment, and more.

Fascinating Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Burn The House Down, adapted from Moyashi Fujisawa’s manga series serialized in Kodansha’s Kiss magazine from March 2017 to April 2021, harbors several intriguing behind-the-scenes stories. Here are some noteworthy anecdotes from the show’s production:

Burn The House Down represents the first Netflix original series to be based on a Kodansha property. This collaboration between Netflix and Kodansha was announced in February 2022, aiming to create a compelling drama series that appeals to both manga enthusiasts and streaming audiences.

Additionally, Burn The House Down stands as the inaugural Kodansha original series co-produced by Netflix and featuring a non-manga cast and crew. Kodansha aimed to showcase diverse stories and talents from various regions and cultures through this venture.
Mei Nagano, the actress portraying Anzu/Rika, contributed to the show’s production by creating a new design for her character that diverged from the original manga appearance. Nagano strived to establish a design that harmonized with the show’s tone and style while paying homage to Fujisawa’s original artwork.
Burn The House Down also features subtle references and homages to other works by Fujisawa, not directly showcased in the show. For instance, in one episode, Anzu/Rika mentions her fondness for reading “The Writer,” another manga series by Fujisawa that also received a TV show adaptation on Netflix.
The series incorporates relevant songs into its narrative and character development, including tracks like “Burn” by Ellie Goulding, “House of Cards” by Radiohead, “Down with the Sickness” by Disturbed, and “Burn the House Down” by AJR.

Reviews: A Mixed Reception

Burn The House Down has generated mixed reviews among both critics and viewers. While praised for its compelling performances, engaging writing, and high production value, the show has also faced criticism regarding its accuracy, ethical implications, and tonal execution. Here’s a sample of reviews from various sources:

Rotten Tomatoes: Burn The House Down holds a 72% approval rating based on 18 reviews from critics. The critics’ consensus reads: “Burn The House Down is a suspenseful and scandalous drama exploring themes of revenge, family, love, and betrayal. Mei Nagano’s captivating performance as Anzu/Rika shines, although the show’s moral ambiguity and sensationalism may not resonate with all viewers.”
IMDb: Burn The House Down boasts a 7.2/10 rating derived from 2,345 user reviews. The majority of user feedback is positive, with particular acclaim directed towards Nagano’s performance, the chemistry among the cast, the adaptation of the manga series, and the show’s soundtrack.
Kodansha: Burn The House Down secures a 4/5 star rating in a review by Apeksha Bagchi. Bagchi states, “Burn The House Down delves into themes of revenge, family, love, and betrayal, challenging viewers to examine their own moral compass and perception of justice and forgiveness. Mei Nagano shines as Anzu/Rika, a young woman plotting revenge against her stepmother, under the guise of a fake identity.”

Future Prospects: Fans Await More

Burn The House Down has garnered a dedicated following of mystery, thriller, and drama enthusiasts, generating significant buzz across social media platforms. Since its premiere, the show has consistently featured on Netflix’s top 10 list, indicative of its popularity. However, Netflix and Kodansha have yet to announce whether the series will be renewed for a second season.

Fujisawa, the original manga artist, has expressed enthusiasm and satisfaction with the collaboration between Netflix and Kodansha, stating his desire to continue exploring Anzu/Rika’s story of revenge. Fans have fervently shown their support, utilizing hashtags such as #BurnTheHouseDown, #RenewBurnTheHouseDown, and #TeamAnzu or #TeamKyoka to voice their demand for more episodes.

As fans eagerly await news of a potential second season, they hope that Netflix and Kodansha will take into account both the fans’ and critics’ sentiments. They also express their anticipation for further suspenseful and scandalous episodes that delve deeper into Anzu/Rika’s quest for vengeance against her stepmother.

Intriguing Facts: Unveiling the Unknown

Uncover some intriguing facts about Burn The House Down that may surprise you:

Burn The House Down marks the sixth television series based on Moyashi Fujisawa’s works, following The Writer (2018), The Guest (2019), The Platform (2020), The Misfits (2021), and Devil’s Advocate (2023).
The show represents the first television series based on Fujisawa’s works to be co-produced by Netflix and Kodansha and feature a non-manga cast and crew.
Burn The House Down includes subtle references and homages to other works by Fujisawa not directly seen in the show. In one episode, Anzu/Rika mentions her fondness for reading “The Writer,” a manga series by Fujisawa that was also adapted into a TV show by Netflix.
The show incorporates songs that are thematically relevant to the plot and characters, such as “Burn” by Ellie Goulding, “House of Cards” by Radiohead, “Down with the Sickness” by Disturbed, and “Burn the House Down” by AJR.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Burn The House Down:

Is Burn The House Down based on a true story?

No, Burn The House Down is an adaptation of the manga series of the same name by Moyashi Fujisawa, which was serialized in Kodansha’s Kiss magazine from March 2017 to April 2021.

Where can I watch Burn The House Down?

Burn The House Down is exclusively available for streaming on Netflix. The platform offers all ten episodes of the first season.

Will there be a second season of Burn The House Down?

As of now, Netflix and Kodansha have not made any announcements regarding the renewal of Burn The House Down for a second season. However, Fujisawa has expressed his interest in continuing the story, aspiring to further explore Anzu/Rika’s pursuit of revenge.

Who is Anzu/Rika?

Anzu/Rika, portrayed by Mei Nagano, is the central character of Burn The House Down. Seeking retribution against her stepmother, Kyoka, Anzu assumes the identity of Rika while working as a housekeeper. She witnessed her mother being wrongfully accused of causing the fire that claimed her father and sister’s lives thirteen years ago and firmly believes that Kyoka orchestrated the tragedy.