As the weekend draws nearer, some of us might be thinking of what other important activities — whether it is work-related or school-related — can we get done during our free time.
But while others plan to spend their weekend that way, pretty sure that many of us are wondering what cool and fun things we can do. Undoubtedly, turning ourselves to a major couch potato and looking for something to binge-watch on Netflix will not be out from our list.
“What to stream next?” is probably the biggest question to have in mind right now.
Well, if you are searching for a show that will make you bite your nails in suspense and keep you on the edge of your seat, leaving you wanting to find out more about it, then the upcoming anime, Trese is the show you definitely must not miss. Here are 13 reasons why you should join the hype train:
- Made in the Philippines
Viewers, brace yourselves as more “Proud to be Pinoy” comments are coming! When Netflix announced at their “See What’s Next Asia” event held in Singapore new anime titles that will be rolling out soon, Filipino fans cannot get hold of themselves, shaking the internet with their excitement, as it was revealed an adaptation of Filipino supernatural crime comic book series, Trese, is included in the lineup. Behind the hit comics is writer Budgette Tan and artist Kajo Baldisimo.
- Two-time Best Graphic Literature
A Pinoy-made comic series to be shown in an international streaming giant is not the only thing Filipinos should be proud of. Adding to the list of what they should rejoice about Trese is that it has bagged awards in the past years. Back in 2010, the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle recognized Trese Book 3: Mass Murders as the winner of the 29th National Book Award for Best Graphic Literature. Budgette and Kajo continued to hold the title as their Trese Book 4: Last Seen After Midnight won the same award the following year.
- One of the few
Filipinos produce numerous movies that made noise outside the country, earning praises from other people. While it receives much recognition, Pinoy animated projects, on the other hand, experience otherwise. That is why when it was announced that the Philippines is going to have its own anime series, Barangay 143, many of us, especially fans of Japanese anime and manga, went gaga. This time, Trese is taking the local animation to the next level, bringing honor to the other Filipino animated works like Urduja, Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia, and Saving Sally to name a few.
- First Filipino anime in Netflix
Trese is indeed stepping up the game in our country’s animation universe as it will be the first Filipino anime series in the global streaming service. If you cannot wait to watch other new anime in Netflix, what more anticipation can you feel once you see the work of your kababayan on the list?
- You can’t see them, but you can feel them
Remember the supernatural stories that our parents used to scare us so we won’t go outside at night and go to bed early? About aswang, nuno, kapre and many more that even though we do not see them, once our parents talk about these mythical creatures, we feel like they are just there, hiding behind us or under our beds? Well, expect that this comic book series will be both bringing out the little child in us who easily get scared from those myths and our mature self enjoying how such tales are written and told brilliantly.
- Horror? Crime? Or both?
Do you prefer films that will make you curl up in fetal position and scream out of fear? Or do you like crime stories that will make you try to solve some mysteries? It does not really matter though because Trese offers both.
- Hear Trese
As it was revealed that Trese will be seen as an anime series on Netflix, Filipinos are also excited on who could be the celebrities that will give life to the characters with their voices. There were no details about it yet, but some netizens are already floating names of stars, like actress Glaiza de Castro, that will nail the role of Alexandra Trese, the main protagonist in the story.
- Badass female lead
It is true that it is not easy to find a badass female protagonist in Filipino-animated projects because most of them were led by a male character like those in Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementia, RPG Metanoia, and Barangay 143. But Trese has joined Urduja in breaking the usual set up, when it showcased a strong independent female lead in the story, who rather than give up or rely on a man, choose to bring out her inner strength and do things her own way. Guess we need more Alexandra Trese in our local animation projects.
- Filipino Executive Producer
Since Trese is a comic series based on Philippine folklore written and illustrated by two Filipinos, of course, the executive producer (EP) tapped for its adaptation also has Filipino blood in his veins. Introducing Jay Oliva, a Filipino-American storyboard artist who worked on various blockbusters like Wonder Woman, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and The Legend of Korra, among others.
- The Original Soundtrack
An anime package will not be complete without a signature opening and ending credits. Aside from being excited about who is going to dub for the characters, most of us also might be wondering: What songs will they use for the opening and ending? Who will be the singer? Will it be a band? A solo singer? While these questions remain unanswered, one thing is for sure, we cannot wait for the original soundtrack (OST) that will set the mood for Trese’s anime series.
- See it in motion
From only seeing the characters as illustrated on pages and imagining every action’s pace in our minds, we can now finally see Alexandra, the Kambal (Twins), Captain Guerrero, Hank Sparow, Anton Trese, Puti, and the others more real than reel (Although they are definitely unreal).
- Hits home
Filipino viewers, of course, are the ones who can certainly relate to this story because it involves concepts and words or names that are very much familiar to us. For example, the names of Alexandra’s bodyguards, the Kambal also known as Crispin and Basilio, surely rings a bell from our high school books. Often hearing it in weather reports, we are also undeniably familiar with the names of the tribes in the story — Amihan and Habagat. Lastly, Filipino horror will not be complete without the creepy stories in the Balete Drive.
- The real mystery
Many of us are eager to see how Alexandra solves the mysteries in the story. However, the real mystery is not in the story, but on the details of the show like when will the animated series hit the screens, how long will it be aired, how many episodes and seasons will it have, and above all, how Shanty Harmayn and Tanya Yuson of BASE Entertainment will produce Trese for our eyes?
With all that has been said, aren’t these 13 reasons enough for you to hype for Trese?