The top 10 list on Netflix includes a new revenge thriller – ‘Bet’. It is Netflix’s newest series, which had lots of potential but hasn’t quite received the reaction the streaming service was looking for. According to fan reception, this live-action adaptation of the popular manga “Kakegurui” may have missed its mark.
In this article, we look at whether Netflix’s new gambling show ‘Bet’ is worth betting on. Should you watch the show or skip it entirely? Read on to discover what this TV show is all about and why some fans might be a bit disappointed.
What is ‘Bet’ About?
The series revolves around Yumeko, a mysterious transfer student with an unbeatable poker face. She is joining an elite school – St. Dominic’s School – where gambling is not just permitted but also institutionalised. It borrows a page right from the Japanese manga and takes us to a world where a student’s performance in high-risk games of chance dictates their social status and survival.
The narrative follows a central theme of manipulation and social control. Students gamble on various games to rise in the social hierarchy. The successful few then rule over the house pets – those students with massive debt. These elite few make the rules of the games played and let others gamble the stipends their parents give them.
Think of it as real-life betting on sportsbooks such as Betway. You get to play a variety of games, such as slots, blackjack, table games, and more. However, in “Bet’s” instance, you are part of the game, and your entire life comes down to how well you can spread your risk.
What Fans Are Saying About Bet
Most fans have mixed feelings about adapting an inherently Japanese story into a Western framework. The original Kakegurui is hugely centred around Japanese cultural commentary, particularly around societal pressure and risk. With the new American adaptation, the show fails to portray these aspects of life as the students are in a Western private school, and the cast is largely non-Asian.
Netflix didn’t expect this move to spark such a huge backlash among some fans and cultural critics. According to them, the show lacks the Japanese cultural context that would have taken it to the next level. It is not so much about the casting but about losing what makes it feel more authentic to the source material.
Gambling in the original material was more than just a plot device. The objective was to showcase the broader issues within rigid societal hierarchies, which feel a little bit diluted in an American setting. Therefore, some fans argue that the show comes off as more of a drama without a solid foundation.
Character Development
‘Kakegurui’ is popular because it tells a story through the eyes of the characters. We become emotionally invested in Yumeko Jabami and her journey driven by an obsessive love of risk. We meet several characters who represent different philosophical stances on addiction, control, and social performance.
Netflix’s adaptation ‘Bet’, however, comes out a little bit shallow and emotionally unconvincing. For starters, the main character’s story feels underdeveloped, and the supporting cast fails to get us more invested in the show. These characters attempt to portray the flamboyant personalities in Kakegurui but don’t quite get there. At the end of the day, the show feels generic and comes across as a gambling soap opera rather than a mind-bending psychological chess match.
Is ’Bet’ a Total Flop?
The answer to whether ‘Bet’ is a total flop or not comes down to personal preference. While the series fails to meet the Japanese Manga narrative and visual style of shows such as One Piece, it does honour the thematic depth of its source material. You get to explore various games that the pupils play to maintain their status. These teens are quite vicious and would prefer killing off classmates instead of having them as house pets.
What is particularly interesting about the show is how it keeps you guessing. We get to slowly piece together the reasons behind Yumeko’s motivation. She is an interesting character focused on revenge without considering how her actions might affect the people around her.
Overall, ‘Bet’ is an interesting show you must check out. You get to experience a sinister world driven by greed, power, and the desire for control over others. By the end of the 10-episode first season, you should have a better understanding of the lengths Yumeko is willing to go to get her revenge.