Drama Digest
“Tokyo Vice” is a co-production between the U.S.A and Japan. This is a true story based on Jake Adelstein, a Western crime reporter who makes his way in Japan as a journalist by making connections within the city and taking on the city’s powerful Yakuza. Jake becomes the first American crime reporter for Japan’s reputable newspaper, Meicho Shimbun. He is entrusted with the task of covering the case of a stab victim along with the local detectives. Unveiling one crime he finds himself with another horrific crime scene.
The Feel-Good Part
This show is realistic and there are no fictional elements added to it for entertainment which makes it interesting and closer to reality. We imagine Yakuza as inhumane but the reality is that they also went through failures in life and they are like any other human with emotions this message is well portrayed in this show through characters like Sato.
The Disappointing Factor
The first three episodes are dragged and one will feel bored as there is no plot development. This show is about Jake but everyone around him has more screen time than him and there isn’t much of his involvement.
In-Depth Analysis
Jake Adelstein is a Western crime reporter who makes his way in Japan as a journalist by making connections within the city and taking on the city’s powerful Yakuza. Jake becomes the first American crime reporter for Japan’s reputable newspaper, Meicho Shimbun by working very hard. He is entrusted with the task of covering the case of a stab victim along with the local detectives. The show starts as two men walk in slow motion one of them is an older Japanese man, Katagiri Hiroto, and a foreign reporter Jake Adelstein. They are on their way to meet the 2nd most powerful Yakuza. As it is a matter of life and death, they wear bulletproof vests to stay safe. They go into a private lounge and meet the Yakuza. He blackmails them to stop their investigation if not they will lose their life. From here the timeline skips to the past when Jake joins the Meicho Shimbun and is entrusted to investigate a stabbing case.
Star Power
Ansel Elgort’s Japanese is good and the acting is also excellent. Watanabe Ken and all the other supporting actors did an excellent job.
Overall Opinion
Overall, this series is very good and realistic. It shows the reality of Yakuza as it is a true story. If you are a fan of crime thrillers this is just the right drama for you.
