As Episode 1 of "Tokyo World" (2022 release; 8 episodes of about an hour each) opens, we are following two reporters, one of which is Jake Adelstein. They arrive at a restaurant, only to find out that their hosts, members of the Yakoza, have moved the meeting to a private room. We then go to "1999, Two Years Earlier", as Adelstein is prepping to take a qualifying exam at a major Japanese newspaper, having moved there from Missouri three years earlier. At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.
Couple of comments: the series is nominally based on the memoir of the real life Jake Adelstein about his years as the only foreign reporter at a major Tokyo-based newspaper. This mini-series immediately appealed to me for several reasons: it provides a "fish out of water" setting (American reporter at Japanese newspaper), along the way offering a glimpse into Japan's (sub)culture and ultra homogeneous society, and brought in a highly stylish setting. It certainly helps that major talent is connected to this series: from executive producer (and director of the opening episode) Michael Mann to Japanese actor (and executive producer) Ken Watanabe to Ansel Elgort ("Baby Driver") in the lead role (Elgort seemingly learned to speak Japanese for this), etc. Last but not least, the story telling is strong, and I am completely invested emotionally into this series.
"Tokyo Vice" premiered on HBO Max a few days ago, and I've seen the initial 3 episodes. New episodes will be released on Thursdays. How this high caliber/high quality mini-series is showing only on HBO Max (meaning not even on HBO) is a mystery to me. If you are in the mood for a dark-ish crime series set in the underworld of Tokyo, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
UPDATE 4/16/22 Now 5 episodes into it. This is just getting better and better. One of the best shows I've been watching.
