Tokyo Vice is not your typical crime thriller. It’s a Max original series that takes you deep into the dark and dangerous world of 90s Tokyo, where a young journalist and a detective risk everything to expose the truth behind the crimes and criminals.
- US streaming service HBO Max has given the green light for a 2nd season of the crime series “Tokyo Vice“.
- Thus, the story continues with Ansel Elgort and Ken Watanabe about Tokyo’s underworld in the late 90s.
- Brand new has now confirmed the participation of “Pachinko” actor Soji Arai in the 2nd season.
The series, which debuted in April 2022 and was quickly renewed for a second season, is based on the memoir of Jake Adelstein, an American reporter who worked as a crime reporter in Tokyo for over a decade.
The series follows his fictional alter ego, played by Ansel Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars), who joins a prestigious newspaper in Tokyo and soon discovers that the city’s underworld is full of secrets, lies and corruption.
He teams up with a veteran detective, Hiroto Katagiri, played by Ken Watanabe (Inception), who guides him through the complex and perilous realm of the yakuza. Tokyo Vice is created by acclaimed playwright J.T. Rogers and offers a unique and authentic perspective on the crime scene in Japan.
Jake is a young journalist who moves to Tokyo to pursue his passion for reporting. But he soon realizes that the city is not as glamorous as it seems. Beneath the bright lights and modern skyscrapers, there is a hidden underworld of crime and corruption, ruled by the yakuza, Japan’s notorious mafia.
The first season of Tokyo Vice follows Jake as he tries to expose the truth about the yakuza, with the help of his mentor and friend, Katagiri, a veteran reporter who knows the ins and outs of the system. The eight episodes of the first season are filled with suspense, drama, and action, as Jake and Katagiri face danger and betrayal at every turn.
The season ends with a shocking twist that leaves their fate hanging in the balance. Tokyo Vice Season 2 is expected to pick up from where the first season left off and continue the thrilling story of Jake and Katagiri’s quest for justice.
Tokyo Vice is more than just a crime thriller. It is also a coming-of-age tale of a young man who finds himself in a foreign culture and decides to make a difference, no matter the cost. The show received positive feedback from fans and critics alike, who praised the cast performance and the gritty narrative.
Here is everything you need to know about Tokyo Vice Season 2, including the plot, cast, characters, and more.
Will there be Tokyo Vice Season 2?
‘Tokyo Vice’ season 1 premiered on April 7, 2022, on HBO Max and wrapped up its run on April 28, 2022. The first season comprises eight episodes with a runtime of 54–63 minutes each.
The second season of Tokyo Vice, the Max Original starring Ansel Elgort and Ken Watanabe, was announced last June, after its successful debut in April. The series is based on a true story of an American journalist, Jake Adelstein (Elgort), who worked as a reporter for a Japanese newspaper and exposed the dark secrets of the Tokyo underworld in the late 1990s. He was mentored by a veteran detective, Hiroto Katagiri (Watanabe), who helped him navigate the dangerous and complex world of the yakuza.
Arai will join the cast as Shingo, a former coworker and lover of Jake’s boss, Emi (Rinko Kikuchi). Shingo is now an editor at a prestigious weekly magazine and a single father of a young son. He is a skilled journalist who shares Emi’s passion for the truth. However, as the season progresses, their professional and personal lives will clash and they will have to make difficult decisions about their priorities and values.
In future seasons, the creator and his team want to expand outward and continue to introduce new characters, with Jake serving the role of the first among equals and the ensemble. There is also scope for a Tokyo Vice Season 2 as far as the plot is concerned. The series begins in 2001 before shifting to 1999 and progressing forward. Furthermore, by the end of season 1, the plot is yet to arrive at that meeting between Jake and the Tozawa underlings shown in the very first sequence of the series.
When is the release of Tokyo Vice Season 2
The release date for Tokyo Vice Season 2 is yet to be announced, but it might take longer than we had expected. According to a sneak peek of Max’s 2023 lineup that came out earlier this year, the show is expected to return sometime in 2023. But with the ongoing strikes by WGA and SAG-AFTRA, the production and release of the new season could face some delays. We’ll keep you posted on the official release date of Tokyo Vice Season 2 as soon as we hear more.
Who will be in Tokyo Vice Season 2?
Currently, we expect all the characters who survived the season one finale to return. These include the following characters and actors:
- Ansel Elgort as Jake Adelstein
- Ken Watanabe as Hiroto Katagiri
- Rachel Keller as Samantha
- Rinko Kikuchi as Emi
- Shun Shugata as Ishida
- Takaki Uda as trendy
- Kosuke Tanaka as Tin Tin
- Nobushige Suematsu as gene
- Ayumi Tanida as Tozawa
- Yuka Itaya as Mrs. Katagiri
- Sarah Sawyer as Jessica Adelstein
- Ayumi Ito as Misaki
Brand new actor Soji Arai has now been confirmed as the newest member of the series cast. Arai will embody Shingo, the lover and former colleague of Emi. Shingo not only has a lot going on as a single father but also works as an editor at the successful Tokyo Weekly newspaper. As an outstanding journalist, he shares with Emi her passion for work. Throughout the season, however, this will put their relationship to the test and eventually, they are both faced with the question of what means the most in life to them.
Arai is best known as Mozasu in the acclaimed Apple TV+ drama series “Pachinko.” This was also extended by a 2nd season. In addition, the actor will soon be seen in the new Amazon Prime Video series “Dead Ringers” alongside Hollywood star Rachel Weisz.
What’s the Story of Tokyo Vice Season 2?
In the season 1 finale, Jake considers returning to the US before getting a videotape that seems to show Polina’s murder. It is heavily implied that Tozawa has Miyamoto killed. He also threatens Katagiri that he will kill his family if the detective doesn’t stop coming after his clan. Sato gets stabbed by one of the fellow Chihari-Kai members. After losing all her money to Akira’s schemes, Samantha reaches out to Ishida for a loan. Tozawa travels to an unknown destination, and Jake and Katagiri finally seem to set their differences aside.
In the prospective season 2, we might learn that Tozawa has gone to the US for a liver transplant. Misaki can reach out to Jake for help, realizing that she can’t wait for Tozawa to die. If Sato survives, he will probably lose more of his humanity as he goes after his attacker. Jake and Katagiri will likely have to find a new approach to investigating Tozawa.
Production of Tokyo Vice Season 2
The first season was produced by Hollywood directors Destin Daniel Cretton and Michael Mann; whether they will return for season 2 is still unclear. J.T. Rogers is sure to return as a screenwriter and showrunner. Shooting has been started.
