Unsolved Mysteries (TV Series) Tsunami Spirits (2020) User Reviews

Quite a poor episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 4/10 · 23 October 2020]

Ok, so this one is a going to be divisive.

The first half, harrowing, I vividly remember watching the events of the tsunami happen, devastating to see events unfold, all of those lives lost to nature. I thought the first half was engaging, and a reminder of the tragedy that occured back in 2011.

However, the second half, what on Earth were they thinking, as with the UFO episode from the first series, it's just not for me. I thought it was tasteless, and quite disrespectful.

They took a true story of tragedy, and spun a ghost yarn......

Not good, 4/10.

A bit out of place

[AdamDroge · 6/10 · 21 October 2020]

This episode isn't bad. It's a nice story and as a religious person I can understand and believe the part about the spirits remaining after the tsunami. I don't think anyone is lying. But I have to nitpick here. This show is called "Unsolved Mysteries." What's the mystery here that remains unsolved?

Sad, but just stories

[Calicodreamin · 5/10 · 25 October 2020]

A very sad event, with many casualty's and lives devastated. Though I'm not sure the ghost sorties qualify for an 'unsolved' mystery. Episode was a bit too long, though the interviews were relevant and good use of archival footage.

Almost Made Me Re-Think Watching The Series

[michaellons · 3/10 · 24 October 2020]

As soon as I realized what this episode was actually about, I got a knot in my stomach. Not because I'm afraid of spirits, but because I realized that this show was about to sandwich ghost stories in between episodes about unsolved criminal cases.

I had forgotten about the earlier UFO episode, probably because I had skipped over it without bothering. But having just watched the Jennifer Fairchild and Lester Eubanks cases, the fact that such serious cases were put on the same level as this made me wonder whether this show actually cares about the people it highlights. Are these cases solely being featured based on what the producers think will bring viewers in? There are many more unsolved criminal and missing persons cases which could have benefited from this air time, by the way.

The people featured in this episode should be allowed to tell their stories, but this show is not the proper place and the framing feels exploitative to me. As a standalone documentary about collective trauma and its influence on storytelling and community experiences, I'd be all for it. As part of a show that also features true crime and presents these stories as 'unexplained phenomena'? Sorry, I can't do it.

I realize that the original run of this show featured ghost stories as well, but in 2020 I think we should really be moving on from this sort of thing.

This Just Doesn't Fit

[weesa729 · 1/10 · 20 October 2020]

This might be nice for a special, but it is NOT an unsolved mystery. It is a ghost story. Sorry, this one was a miss for me.

Disprespectful

[ampadbury · 1/10 · 22 October 2020]

Sad that this show would exploit a natural disaster. Goes to show that no matter what, some woman will pretend to talk to ghosts to make anything about themselves, including a Tsunami that killed thousands of people. Producers of Unsolved Mysteries should be ashamed to include this in the series.

Most Reviewers have ZERO understanding of Japanese culture.

[Kit-Angel · 7/10 · 6 April 2022]

I agree this episode is different to others in the series but it's interesting and uplifting if rather sad. Those reviews saying it's exploitation etc have zero understanding of Japanese culture and how they deal with death, funerals spiritualism etc. If they did they would understand more fully. Unnatural death in Japan is feared more so then in many other cultures and the spirits of those who die an unnatural death need to be guided to find peace. Estate agents who rent or sell homes have to by law tell new buyers or tenants that a unnatural death occurred in or near a property such as by suicide , murder, fire , neglect or those who die in events like the tsunami. Jiko bukken is the term used for such a property and such homes sell or rent for massive discounts such is the stigma attached. I felt the priest was a very kind soul and was helping as much as he could in a bad situation. Some aspects of another society and their culture are just difficult for outsiders to understand.

A review from the only person who liked this episode

[lil_moe · 12 November 2021]

I watched almost all the other episodes and I generally liked the show but it really is nothing.to write home about.

However, this episode struck me so deep. Having gone through many reviews I can see that I probably am the only person who felt this way. I paused the episode to search online what the major religion in Japan is and understand more about it (and what they believe).

While I'm certainly monotheistic, I really have no notion what happens after a person dies and whether or not they (or an entity working on their behalf) can reach out to get closure.

Overall, this episode is food for thoughts for any one who is open minded and is willing to think outside of the the traditional religion or anti-religion box.

Loose fit for the series

[JordanSatmary · 3/10 · 24 October 2020]

Give me a break Netflix, this is so cheap. It's not even close to being an unsolved mystery. Did you upload the wrong file to the unsolved mysteries series?

I respect the situation in Japan and perhaps I would have watched this if it was labeled as the proper genre but it just makes me think about how lazy Netflix is.

Heartbreaking and sad

[cruise01 · 7/10 · 9 November 2020]

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Lots of lives were taken from a tsunami. And many people seen strange supernatural occurrences. Heartbreaking and sad. Also kind of creepy that there is many lost souls lurking. I did find the episode a little too long.

Netflix should be ashamed.

[alexander-92179 · 1/10 · 23 October 2020]

Forgetting that this is hardly an unsolved mystery for a moment, I'm disheartened that Netflix would use this horrible human tragedy where over 15,000 lives were lost, and also a couple of women who admittedly have had schizofrenic episodes since childhood, to cash in on gullible peoples fascination with ghost stories. Shame on Netflix!

The episode is well made and there are some bright rays of humanity and compassion through out. But still, the whole thing is just too distasteful for me.

Not an unsolved mystery

[brianbailey-lewis · 8/10 · 20 October 2020]

I bloody loved this episode. Not what it says on the tin, but for what it was I greatly enjoyed this one

Not so much about unsolved mysteries

[darkdementress · 7/10 · 5 November 2020]

Hard to watch,yet interesting and real look at the horrible tsunami in Japan. But definitely not about unsolved mysteries. It wasn't until halfway in or so that they got talking about ghosts and people who never were found. And the woman who was "possessed" by ghosts... She asked the Reverend if she was mentally ill and clearly was. She should have been getting psychiatric help not talking to a monk.. But i guess things are different in Japan then in the West.

No thrills here

[NataliaFonten · 1/10 · 19 October 2020]

This was not remotely mysterious, scary, or chilling. It was just a bunch of people discussing the possibility of "spirits" existing or talking about lost relatives. Terrible episode.

Exploitive and tasteless.

[angelospadowski · 1/10 · 24 October 2020]

"I see dead people. Walking around like regular people."

This episode is a travesty and a desecration of the thousands of lives that were snuffed out in an instant on March 3rd, 2011.

I am not Japanese, but I've lived here for over a decade. I was near Tokyo when that earthquake hit, and even as far away as that, I can assure you, you have no idea what it felt like having the very ground beneath you rising up and throwing you around like a doll. I didn't even want to imagine what it was like in the epicenter.

I've avoided seeing the actual footage of the tsunami as much as possible. It's too horrific. It's like watching people jump out of the World Trade Center, but by the thousands.

The first fifteen minutes of this episode had my vision so blurred with tears I could barely see the screen.

And then it suddenly switches to nonsense about ghosts and specters and mysterious ladies who switch faces on camera?

And the mentally ill woman that pretends she sees ghosts like the kid in Sixth Sense? Or the even more mentally ill woman that pretends she's POSSESSED by ghosts?

Disgraceful. This is nothing but exploitation.

Where's the mystery???

[bobwgolden · 2/10 · 27 October 2020]

No mystery to be found. This belongs on some ghosthunter or disaster show. Whoever chose this for an episode should be beaten and fired for wasting our viewing time.

Interesting but doesn't fit.

[laurhartwick · 5/10 · 5 November 2020]

We watched two in one night so had just watched the missing fugitive one and it really showed how different this one is than the rest. Although I'd say it's a stretch to call this an "unsolved mystery" it was still an interesting perspective and very educational about the tsunami.

Doesn't fit the great unsolved mysteries narrative

[edrizio_delacruz · 3/10 · 24 November 2020]

By far the worst episode I've seen in the first two seasons. It stars off well, but it tapers off and hits tangent that has nothing to do with the traditional insightful unsolved mysteries

Sad yet beautiful

[graciegirl-07781 · 5/10 · 13 November 2020]

This episode is so so beautiful. But it's not an unsolved mystery..

This had me in tears

[pcristianjohnson · 9/10 · 23 February 2023]

I know this episode does not fall into the category of "Unsolved Mysteries" but truth be told this has to do with one of the greatest mysteries to mankind. Is everyone's story credible? Probably not. But yet they conducted an actual physical study by talking to people and were able to gather data based on cab drivers, who basically ended up paying the fairs for these lost spirits. Even if one is a non believer of the paranormal, the stories told are very compelling and sad and should be an eye opener of the things we take for granted. Here is a group of people still trying to come to terms with the loss of what has happened to thousands. And these are their stories told. And I think is a great addition to the series.

Tsunami Spirits

[bombersflyup · 1/10 · 27 November 2020]

Unsolved mystery? Sleep inducing drivel. People see what they wanna see and need to justify what they already believe. The taxi fares, didn't you say they were lost, did they tell you where there destination was? A very vague account indeed.

I was generous with my one star!

[matthieujgagne · 1/10 · 3 November 2020]

The first 20 mins is like crazy good, needs to be watched, trust me.

Unsolved Supernatural Mysteries

[JabezGill · 5/10 · 2 November 2020]

So, just like the original show (and the UFO episode in the first 6 episodes of this reboot) I never really have liked the supernatural unsolved mysteries they explore. However, everyone saying this doesn't fit the show - these things are technically mysteries that have been answered or solved ... so they absolutely fit.

It isn't just "unsolved true crime mysteries."

However, these episodes to me aren't very compelling or interesting and in the case of the Tsunami Ghosts - it's seems a tad exploitative of people that are grieving and looking for answers and comfort.

I think that UM should stick with True Crime (so should Buzzfeed Unsolved #Shaniac)

The ghost/monsters/aliens should be saved for specials or separate seasons/series.

A weak episode for the series

[CharbelRahme · 3/10 · 8 May 2021]

This episode does mot match the identity of the show.

4

[Edvis-1997 · 4/10 · 2 March 2021]

It's okay, I guess. Who am I to judge but this episode sounds like story for kids to tell. Nothing interesting, just informational about tsunami that happened in Japan. Didn't find this episode as unsolved mystery. Can't even understand why it was included here.