New Netflix show Bet has broken into the UK trending chart — despite a mixed reception from critics.
The series, described as "slick" by the streamer, is based on the manga Kakegurui and follows students at the elite St Dominic's private school, where social hierarchy rules supreme by way of underground gambling.
Following its release on Netflix last week, Bet now sits in the 10th spot in Netflix's UK Top 10.
Bet focuses on mysterious teen Yumeko (Miku Martineau), a gambling champion who learnt everything from her mother before being orphaned.
She used her skills at St Dominic's and does "whatever it takes to succeed, both in her high-stakes bets and in climbing the social hierarchy – no matter what the vicious student council at St Dominic’s throws her way," the synopsis reveals.
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"With the help of her new friend Ryan (Ayo Solanke), Yumeko is also on a secret quest for revenge… and the overachiever will do everything in her power to get it," the synopsis adds.
In a review for Variety, critic Aramide Tinubu suggested that "despite its unique setting", Bet is "repetitive and grows increasingly wearisome, offering nothing new to the Kakegurui fandom".
"There’s nothing wrong with being a stylish show, but Bet‘s concentration on style overwhelms any kind of substance, making the show a chore to watch over a 10-episode season," Decider's Joel Keller wrote.
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However, in a more positive review, Ready Steady Cut's Jonathon Wilson wrote: "Plenty about Bet doesn’t work, but it’s so full of big swings and fun ideas that it’s an easy, characterful binge-watch all the same."
The original Kakegurui manga comes from writer Homura Kawamoto and illustrator Tōru Naomura, with the TV adaptation coming from Simon Barry.
Bet is streaming now on Netflix.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
