After 15 Years, This Underrated Sci-Fi Series Is Still Pulling Its Weight With 11.4M Hours Watched

Shows like The X-Files have become iconic for a reason. The classic duo of paranormal investigators has been replicated many times over in popular series such as Supernatural and Fringe. Fans may think the topic has been exhausted, but one series on Netflix continues to pull impressive numbers. The Japanese television show SPEC ~ birth uses this same setup, pulling in millions of viewing hours on its streaming home.

Originally airing on the Japanese television station TBS, SPEC follows a detective demoted to the Mishou department, the Unidentified Crimes Unit. Essentially The X-Files of Japan, the Mishou department became the home of Takeru Sebumi (Ryo Kase), who was sentenced to work down there after testifying about a raid that appeared to be supernatural. There, he encounters Saya Toma (Erika Toda), an intelligent detective with an IQ of 201. She has worked in the department for a year and is the Mulder (David Duchovny) of the crew. Open-minded to the possibilities of the supernatural, she investigates their cases with vigor, while Takeru Sebumi is the skeptic.

Their professional conflict adds humor to the interesting cases they investigate. The two work under Kotaro Nonomura (Raita Ryu), a veteran detective who serves as their section chief. These investigators form a trio who try to solve the most puzzling cases at the Metropolitan Police Department.

‘SPEC ~ birth’ Fills the Void ‘The X-Files’ Left Behind

SPEC ~ birth goes to show that, regardless of nationality or varying details, some tropes just work. The series is an obvious successor to The X-Files, even leaning further into the campy tone than its predecessor. In addition to the drama of the series’ circumstances, the conflict between the main characters leads to a lot of humor. Takeru Sebumi has no time for tomfoolery, as he originated as a highly skilled career detective. He moves to Mishou because it is expected of him, not because he believes that these cases are genuine.

Takeru Sebumi assumes his role is to weed out the frauds, and doubts any of these cases are on the up and up. This is a stark contrast to Toma, who is open to the possibility of the paranormal. The humor arises from Sebumi’s exasperation with these cases while being forced to investigate. The plot of the first episode is set in motion when a corrupt CEO is convinced he is going to die after getting a reading from a fortune-teller. The trio of the Mishou department gets a reading to ascertain if the fortune-teller is truthful or not.

While Toda insists she get a reading, Sebumi is baffled by the fortune-teller’s ridiculous gimmick of chomping on lemons. He triumphantly arrests the fortune-teller, stomping on a tall pile of dirt, which is part of the psychic’s setup. SPEC ~ birth implements the gratifying opposites attract trope and puts these characters in outrageous situations. While the series may be devoid of aliens, it focuses on supernatural elements, which is a comfort to those who have an appreciation for these types of shows. The proof is in the numbers, as even a decade and a half after its premiere, it continues to impress.