Detecting a winning formula

Japanese actor Tsumabuki Satoshi plays a local detective in the movie. Older audience members, such as those born after 1970, can also discern an air of nostalgia from seeing some iconic Japanese stars in the latest Chinese detective movie, including Tomokazu Miura and Honami Suzuki, known to Chinese fans for their roles in the runaway hit Akai Giwaku, and the 1991 TV series Tokyo Love Story, respectively. "These icons of yesteryear help to recall the beautiful memories of many middle-aged audience members," says Wu, adding that the movie's producers have a clear understanding of the demands of moviegoers. As more characters and clues emerge in Detective Chinatown 3, two opposing camps, the good and the evil, have been gradually forming to shape a "cinematic detective universe" in a Chinese style. "China's film industry is also exploring the creation of its own film IP as it matures, and the Detective Chinatown franchise is an important step in that exploration," he says, adding that the popularity of the franchise has also been enhanced by a 12-episode online series of the same title, which has gained 7.5 points out of 10 on the review site Douban, considered a barometer of domestic popularity.