As a critic invigorated to become a stronger writer, the MAX series Tokyo Vice blew me away. Each episode has a new truth and a new puzzle. Everything in Tokyo Vice comes together. The series is based on the true story of the American Journalist and crime reporter Jake Adelstein. Adelstein spent his life during the 1990s in Japan. Adelstein became the first non-Japanese journalist at the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. Today he writes for The Daily Beast, Vice News, The Japan Times, and other outlets. Adelstein wrote the novel Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the police beat in Japan and just published The Last Yakuza.

Tokyo Vice is Adelstein’s journey as he uncovers the dark underworld of crime bosses in Japan. Ansel Elgort plays Jake Adelstein, Ken Watanabe plays Hiroto Katagiri, Rachel Keller plays Samantha, Rinko Kikuchi plays Eimi, Sho Kasamatsu plays Sato, Shun Shugata plays Ishida, and Ayumi Tanada plays Tozawa. All these characters play a crucial role in portraying the realism in Tokyo Vice. They all carry a piece of the puzzle in the uncharted territory around them. Jake is taking risks to find the hidden truth which is hard to unfold as it lies deep in the infrastructure of Japan’s political scene.

The first episode begins establishing the foundation of what Jake is doing in Japan. He is fluent in Japanese and is questioned since he is an American Journalist. The episode jumps back totwo years earlier when Jake is teaching English to Japanese students and going through the steps to become a journalist. Jake has adapted to the culture of Japan. He does karate and often lacks sleep due to making Japan his playground. Jake says to himself, “Giving up and going home is not an option.” The story of Tokyo Vice is set in motion once Jake becomes a journalist.

The show gets more intriguing as the episodes get deeper. Jake’s boss Eimi feels that he is not doing the stories he is assigned. Jake is determined to do a real story as a journalist in Japan not fake news that is otherwise common. Eimi insists that Jake go by the book and report what is assigned to him. Jake is still determined to follow his own tracks where he meets Sato who isassociated with crime bosses. Jake realizes that Sato is considered a Yakuza which is an organized crime syndicate that is correlated to the mafia. Once Jake puts this piece together, there is a murder with no leads or evidence. The world of corruption in Japan becomes Jake’s guide for reporting on pieces that uncover the reality he discovers.

Jake then meets Samantha who is working in night clubs while also living in Japan. She puts up with shady clients day in and day out. Jake gets to know Samantha as well as her routine.Samantha’s goal is to start her own club but faces some obstacles. Another character is Detective Hiroto Katagiri who is Jake’s guide and connection for his crime reporting. The people Jake meet serve a purpose as leads which help Jake have a stronger voice. In addition, these contacts help find the places and resources to dive deep into the infrastructures behind criminal activity in Japan. The revelations in Tokyo Vice are endless and engrossing because they are both true and thought-provoking.

Tozawa and Ishida are crime bosses who give off protagonist and antagonist vibes. They help Tokyo Vice to connect the dots of hidden business being done so criminals can make money, while also maintaining their risky reputations. They are also connected to the authorities. The story that Jake is tempted to tell is the fact that criminals and authorities are working together. If he tells it, however, his story, his career, and his life will all face consequences.

Is Jake falling into a deadly trap? Is the story worth his life? How deep will his connection be with the bad people he comes across? Tokyo Vice is one of the most spellbinding and triumphant series on MAX. It is a true story where the pieces of the puzzle all matter. There is going to be more for Jake in Tokyo Vice Season 2 coming in February. Don’t miss it!