Netflix series ‘Downtime’ hits number one in Japan

The Netflix original series ‘Downtime’, a human suspense drama centered on the cosmetic surgery industry, has achieved significant viewership success. Since its release on September 17, the series reached number one in Japan’s weekly Netflix rankings and ranked fifth in the global non-English series category. The show also entered the top ten in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan.

Starring Mayu Matsuoka as a genius plastic surgeon and Risa Nakao as a charismatic rival, the eight-episode series explores the desires and conflicts of those seeking beauty. Production details revealed that highly realistic surgical scenes were achieved using practical effects, such as using mango pudding and raspberry sauce to simulate fat suction and blood.

The production features a diverse cast of cameos and supporting actors from various fields, including athletes, comedians, and influencers. Special makeup effects by Amazing JIRO were utilized to depict dramatic ‘before and after’ transformations for several characters, including actress Hana Amano, who underwent extensive prosthetic work for her role.