Tokyo vice is an impecably intelligent and atmospheric thriller with an Oriental flair

Japanese culture has always fascinated me in more ways than one. I grew up on kaiju films and read several books on the topic (particularly in my tweens and early teens). As I got older I was introduced to the wide variety of Japanese cinema and television (I didn't start getting into anime until I was 14) with things like the filmography of Takashi Miike. However, I've neber seen any representation of Japan in any medium quite like HBO MAX's recent output Tokyo vice.

I don't usually watch shows as the premiere because I have a watchlist I follow quite religously. However, I finally got around watching this one and it's a damn shame I didn't see it sooner. This is certainly one of the best shows to come out of last year and one of the most intelligent and well crafted shows to come out of HBO's always versatile and innovative library of projects.

Why is that? Well let's give it a deeper insight...

The Atmosphere

A key component for any piece of media to work for me is atmosphere and this show nails it. It's achieved through wonderful music composition which combines traditional japanese musical instruments with Japanese serenades and more modern music, particularly the shibuya-kei style prevelent in 90s Japan. This can be especially seen in the show's opening credits montage, which I consider to be one of the best (if not the best) intros I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. Music aside, the intro achieves the mixing of the traditional and modern with not only the music, but the ingenious visuals as well, blending all of the elements of the series into one, and even including some clever foreshadowing.

The show's cinematography perfectly captures Tokyo's urban beauty as well as the darkness hidden underneath it's surface of many lights, creating on of the most eye-catching pieces of TV I've ever seen, I'd reccomend giving it a watch just for the eye candy alone (the story will suck you in from the first episode anyways hahaha).

The Acting

This happens very rarely with me, however, I believe the performances elevate these characters quite a bit. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'd find these perfectly great and well rounded characters in their own right if they were played by other, equally talented actors, however, I don't think I'll be able to separate the names of Jake Adelstein, Samantha Porter, Hiro Katagiri or Hitoshi Ishida from this very cast, even if, sometime in the future, someone else gets to play these roles in a new adaptation.

The acting in the show is very grounded and down to Earth. There's no performances which stand out as being underwelhming or are too over the top. The performers also do a very good job of selling you these characters, geniuenly feeling like they are playing themselves and not just characters on paper. Every role evoked every single emotion out of me, from fear and sadness to delight and respect. Overall this casting was positively on point.

The Story

Apart from the wonderful score and the eye catching cinematography and color scheme this show offers one more thing which is worth watching for.

It has a very enaging plot that will not only leave viewers hooked, wanting to see more after every episode brisk and sudden conclusion, but will make them consistently wonder if they can really trust anyone, and if there is a true antagonist in all of this. Not a lot of shows does this, for the reasons that I don't fully understandIt invites you into a dark and schoking world of the yakuza and the stressful and tense daily lives and routine of Japanese investigative journalists. It's a world I certainly wouldn't wish to be a part off, but I just can't get enough off either.

It's a great combination of many styles of thrillers present in the presented cultures and, as an equal fan of both types, I can say it's executed to damn perfection.

The Writing

As with the acting in this show, the writing is also very believable and grounded. I believe the real Jake Adelstein provided a lot of information on the Japanese reporter and police lingo, as well as yakuza terminology, because it's all portrayed in an accurate manner, albeit a bit stylized for the average, uninitiated viewers.

As with the other afframentioned aspects this show avoids all cliches and stereotypes present in other thrillers and mafia sagas, in favor of a fresh and grounded story, mimicking the style and approach of Japanese films and television series on the topic.

Would I reccomend it?

I have nothing but praises for the show and anyone (especially those with an interest in Japanese culture) should absolutely give it a watch. It's a touching and emotional, yet at the same time impecably gripping and intelligent look into contemporary Japanese society with a storyline which will leave you hooked until the closing minutes of each episode. This is an absolute must.