There was a time when it seemed like only HBO made prestigious series. That time has passed. Today, more or less everyone has quality series, treating television as more than just entertainment. It’s not a rare bird. But that doesn’t mean HBO is no longer the benchmark for many people. And with good reason. For example, the first season of Tokyo Vice.
That’s why the premiere of the trailer for the second season of Tokyo Vice is great news. It makes us eager to continue watching Adelstein’s story unfold as he tries to unravel the relationships of the underworld. Hopefully, without getting killed along the way.
If you haven’t seen Tokyo Vice, don’t worry. It’s a series that has gone under the radar for many people, despite being a true gem. Released in April 2022 on HBO Max, it’s a series that follows a reporter named Jake Adelstein, who works for the Yomiuri Shimbun, one of Japan’s largest newspapers, covering crime cases, especially those related to the yakuza. When his work becomes too intertwined with the activities of Tadamasa Goto, a Yakuza boss, Adelstein will start digging deeper and deeper to try to get out of the hole he’s gotten himself into.
Probably the most interesting thing about the series, in addition to its spectacular cinematography that presents us with a beautiful image of Tokyo, is that all of this is based on real events. Jake Adelstein is a real reporter who wrote a book about his experience as a journalist at the Yomiuri Shimbun covering the yakuza. That book is called Tokyo Vice and this series adapts the book. Something that makes certain moments of the story even more impactful, as it makes us aware that they actually happened.
If you are not familiar with the series and it has caught your attention, you still have time to catch up. The first season consists of 10 episodes, directed by Michael Mann, and the second season will premiere on February 8th. More than enough time to catch up and enjoy this fabulous story of journalism and yakuza worthy of the best HBO.