Is Tokyo Vice Based on a True Story? Tokyo Vice Plot, Review, Release Date, Where to Watch, and more
Tokyo Vice Series: If you are a fan of crime dramas, you might have heard of Tokyo Vice, the new series from HBO Max that follows the adventures of an American journalist who infiltrates the underworld of Tokyo in the 1990s. The show stars Ansel Elgort as Jake Adelstein, a reporter for the Yomiuri Shinbun, one of Japan’s largest newspapers, who covers the police beat and exposes the secrets of the yakuza, the Japanese mafia. Along the way, he encounters danger, corruption, and romance, as well as a mentor in the form of Ken Watanabe’s Detective Hiroto Katagiri.
But how much of Tokyo Vice is based on a true story? And what are the differences between the show and the reality? In this article, we will explore the origins, plot, review, rating, trailer, release, and where to watch Tokyo Vice and reveal the truth behind the fiction.
Origins
Tokyo Vice is inspired by the memoir of the same name by Jake Adelstein, who was indeed the first American to work as a crime reporter for the Yomiuri Shinbun. Adelstein moved to Japan when he was 19 years old and joined the newspaper in 1993, after passing a rigorous entrance exam. He spent 12 years working for the paper, covering various stories related to the police and the yakuza, such as murders, kidnappings, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and corruption.
One of his most notable scoops was breaking the story of Tadamasa Goto, a notorious yakuza boss who had cut a deal with the FBI to provide information about his gang in exchange for a liver transplant in the United States. This story put Adelstein in the crosshairs of the yakuza, who threatened to kill him and his family.
Adelstein eventually left the newspaper in 2005 and published his memoir in 2009, which became a bestseller and was optioned for a movie adaptation starring Daniel Radcliffe. However, the movie project fell through and was replaced by a TV series for HBO, with J.T. Rogers as the showrunner and Michael Mann as the pilot director.
Plot
Tokyo Vice follows Jake Adelstein as he arrives in Tokyo and joins the Yomiuri Shinbun as a rookie reporter. He is assigned to the police beat, where he learns the ropes from his colleagues and his mentor, Detective Katagiri. He soon discovers that the city is rife with crime and corruption and that the yakuza have a powerful influence on society and politics. He also meets Samantha, an American expat who works as a hostess in a club frequented by the yakuza, and Polina, a Russian woman who is forced into prostitution by the gangsters.
Adelstein becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the yakuza’s activities and risks his life and his integrity to get the scoop. He develops a complex relationship with Jin Miyamoto, a charismatic and ruthless yakuza leader who is willing to talk to him and share some secrets. He also clashes with Sato, a corrupt cop who works for the yakuza and tries to stop him from exposing their crimes. As Adelstein delves deeper into the underworld of Tokyo, he faces moral dilemmas, personal challenges, and deadly consequences.
Cast
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Ansel Elgort | Jake Adelstein | The protagonist and reporter for the Yomiuri Shinbun who covers the police and the yakuza beat. |
| Ken Watanabe | Hiroto Katagiri | A detective in the organized crime division who mentors and protects Jake. |
| Rachel Keller | Samantha | An American expat who works as a hostess in a club frequented by the yakuza and becomes Jake’s love interest. |
| Ella Rumpf | Polina | A Russian woman who is forced into prostitution by the yakuza. |
| Hideaki Itô | Jin Miyamoto | A corrupt cop who works for the yakuza and tries to stop Jake from exposing their crimes. |
| Shô Kasamatsu | Sato | A member of the Chihara-kai yakuza group who has a complex relationship with Jake. |
| Rinko Kikuchi | Eimi | Jake’s senior reporter and supervisor at the Yomiuri Shinbun. |
Review
Tokyo Vice is a gripping and gritty crime drama that offers a fascinating glimpse into the culture and the history of Japan in the 1990s. The show captures the contrast between the modern and the traditional, the glamorous and the seedy, and the lawful and the lawless aspects of the city. The show also explores the themes of journalism, ethics, identity, and loyalty, and how they are tested in the face of danger and temptation.
The show benefits from a stellar cast, led by Ansel Elgort, who delivers a convincing and charismatic performance as Jake Adelstein, the ambitious and fearless reporter who is determined to expose the truth at any cost. Ken Watanabe is also excellent as Detective Katagiri, the wise and honorable cop who guides and protects Adelstein, while also dealing with his demons. The supporting cast, which includes Rachel Keller, Ella Rumpf, Shô Kasamatsu, and Hideaki Itô, also adds depth and diversity to the show, portraying various characters who are involved in the yakuza’s world.
The show also boasts impressive production values, with stunning cinematography, authentic locations, and immersive soundtracks. The show recreates the atmosphere and the aesthetics of 1990s Tokyo, with its neon lights, crowded streets, and vibrant nightlife. The show also features some thrilling action scenes, such as shootouts, car chases, and fistfights, that keep the viewers on the edge of their seats.
Rating
Tokyo Vice has received mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who have praised the show’s acting, writing, directing, and visuals. The show currently holds a rating of 7.6 out of 10 on IMDb, based on over 1,000 user ratings. The show also has a score of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 25 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.5 out of 10. The show has been described as “a stylish and engaging crime drama that offers a fresh perspective on the yakuza genre” by The Hollywood Reporter, and as “a compelling and immersive portrait of a city and a culture that is rarely seen on American television” by The New York Times.
Trailer
If you are interested in watching Tokyo Vice, you can check out the official trailer of the show, which gives you a glimpse of the plot, the characters, and the action of the series. The trailer also showcases the stunning visuals and the music of the show, which set the tone and the mood for the drama. You can watch the trailer here:
The Release and Where to Watch of Tokyo Vice
Tokyo Vice premiered on HBO Max on October 21, 2022, with the first three episodes available to stream. The show consists of 10 episodes, which are released weekly on Thursdays. The show is expected to conclude on December 23, 2022. The show is also available to watch on BBC One in the UK, and on HBO Go in other regions. Tokyo Vice season 2 was released on February 8, 2024.
If you are looking for a captivating and thrilling crime drama that takes you to the dark and dangerous side of Tokyo, Tokyo Vice is the show for you. The show is based on a true story but also adds some fictional elements to create a compelling and entertaining narrative.
The show features a talented cast, a talented crew, and a talented production team, who bring the show to life with their skills and passion. Tokyo Vice is a show that will keep you hooked and intrigued, as you follow the journey of Jake Adelstein, the reporter who dared to challenge the yakuza.
