‘Prison Princesses’ Netflix Series Review - A Good Portrayal of Prison Lives

This offbeat Japanese drama blends prison life, social justice, as well as female friendships into a good narrative. The series showcases the lives of five women who are bound together because of the harsh realities of incarceration that steadily weaves tales of friendship and revenge.

We see Kayo Baba, a middle-aged woman who is put behind bars for attempted murder after stabbing her unfaithful husband. Kayo is a kind woman who finds the prison life to be very harsh and isolating in the beginning. However, as time passes, she forms a bond with four other women living in the same prison.  These women are- Akemi Adachi, who is jailed for drug possession, Chinatsu Katsuda, who is a tax evader, Yoko Daimon, a fraudster, and lastly, Shinobu Edogawa is also in for murder.

All these women have very different lives and backgrounds from each other. But one thing common in them is the struggles they have had in life. The prison scenes, though displaying reality, are filled with loads of humor and warmth. What’s best about this show is that the chemistry shared by the leads seems to be very genuine and not at all forced.

We also see Futaba Wakai, who is a stern but soft-hearted, compassionate prison officer who is a firm believer in rehabilitation through education. Though in the beginning he is very detached, it is slowly and steadily that we see he is getting to know them. With the passage of time, he eventually softens towards them, especially Shinobu. We see the epitome of their camaraderie when it is revealed that Shinobu is a victim and not a perpetrator. The atmosphere within the group grows increasingly somber as the weight of their shared sorrow settles over them. What began as a simple tale of friendship transforms into a powerful narrative driven by their determination to seek justice for their beloved Shinobu. Each member feels a profound sense of purpose, fueled by the memories they cherish and the injustice they can no longer ignore.

The show leaps six. Here’s what the lives of the characters are now: Kayo starts working at a hair salon and is reunited with Akemi, Chinatsu, and Yoko when she is released from prison. With so much that has changed, one thing that did not change between them was their friendship and bond. Now, even stronger, they are determined to serve justice to Shinobu. What is surprising is that even Futaba Wakai agrees to help them out, defying her professional expectations and duties.

What sets this show apart is its portrayal of prison and a strong plot line. We get to see the struggles of these women, their background, and how miscarriage of justice can have a negative impact on the lives of people and their families. The show, through its light banter but a heavy story, manages to leave a mark on your mind even after the credits start rolling.

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times