‘Tokyo Vice’ is a crime drama series set in the Japanese capital around the turn of the century. It is based on journalist Jake Adelstein’s 2009 biography Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan. Well, the story follows Adelstein (Ansel Elgort), an American expatriate. He works as a beat reporter for the Japanese-language daily Meicho Shimbun and garners the interest of both the yakuza and the police. If you like ‘Tokyo Vice,’ here are some choices that may suit your tastes. On Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime, you can watch most of these shows like ‘Tokyo Vice.’
5+ Must-Watch Shows Like Tokyo Vice
Following is a list of Must-Watch Shows Like Tokyo Vice.
1. Giri/Haji
As with ‘Tokyo Vice,’ ‘Giri/Haji’ depicts the complicated relationship between Japan’s police and the yakuza. On the other hand, the latter’s narrative is far more intimate since it depicts the macrocosmic fight between law and crime via the dichotomy between two brothers. Kenzo Mori, a Tokyo investigator, travels to London in search of his missing brother Yuto (Yōsuke Kubozuka). In Japan, the yakuza and police think Yuto murdered the son of a yakuza boss, precipitating a conflict between the gangs. ‘Giri/Haji’ is a reversal of ‘Tokyo Vice,’ as it takes a Japanese person as he is dropped in an unfamiliar place in the West. Additionally, the yakuza plays a big role in the British series.
2. The Journalist
If ‘Tokyo Vice’ takes a western viewpoint on Japan, ‘The Journalist’ takes a Japanese one. The Journalist’s narrative follows the eponymous character, Anna Matsuda, a brave reporter who takes on the strong and corrupt in Japan’s political realm. The series is based on Isoko Mochizuki’s 2017 book of the same name. As with ‘Tokyo Vice,’ ‘The Journalist’ delves deeply into Japan’s journalism industry, elucidating its difficulties, work culture, and relationship with the rest of the world.
3. Pachinko
The story of ‘Pachinko’ is told through the eyes of numerous generations of a Korean-Japanese family. It spans the early years of Japan’s colonization of Korea and concludes in the late 1980s. As with Tokyo Vice, ‘Pachinko’ delves into the Japanese immigrant experience, prejudice, discrimination, and the yakuza. The narrative in ‘Pachinko’ is anchored by a character named Sunja (played by Yu-na Jeon as a child, Minha Kim as a teen, and Youn Yuh-Jung as an adult), who travels with her husband from her small island village in Busan to Osaka and discovers the courage within herself to persevere and thrive despite numerous obstacles.
4. Miami Vice
Apart from the name similarities, ‘Tokyo Vice’ and the 1980s American series ‘Miami Vice’ have a spiritual connection. Michael Mann (‘Heat’), who served as an executive producer and directed the pilot episode of the newer series, wrote and executive produced ‘Miami Vice’ and directed its 2006 cinematic adaptation. Both shows have a similar subject and execution. They portray the typical life in their various cities, with a particular emphasis on criminal aspects.
5. The Sopranos
‘The Sopranos’ is one of television’s best crime dramas. It follows the growth of the eponymous Italian-American mafia family from New Jersey, emphasizing Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). Well, there have been many TV shows and feature films on the mafia. What distinguishes ‘The Sopranos’ is its ability to mix the picture of these mobsters’ ordinary lives with violence, cruelty, and backstabbing. In ‘Tokyo Vice,’ Jake infiltrates Tokyo’s criminal underbelly and observes the ordinary lives of the majority of yakuza members.
6. Deadline
‘Deadline’ is a criminally underestimated short-lived drama series created by Dick Wolf. It follows Wallace Benton, a prominent writer for the fictitious tabloid New York Ledger, and provides an in-depth analysis of New York’s journalism industry. According to reports, the show’s fictitious newspaper was modeled after the real-life New York Post. And Benton was inspired by journalists such as Jimmy Breslin and Mike McAlary. If you’re a fan of ‘Tokyo Vice’s reporting and news industry-related elements, ‘Deadline’ is undoubtedly the next greatest show to watch.
7. Gokushufudo
The ‘Gokushufudo,’ or ‘The Way of the Househusband,’ is a Japanese live-action comedy series based on the same-titled manga series. It centers on Tatsu, a former high-ranking yakuza member who has abandoned the world of crime to become a housewife. The once-feared mobster seamlessly integrates into the peaceful life, applying the abilities he acquired as a yakuza member in daily activities. Tatsu is joined by an equally enthralling supporting cast, including his career-driven wife Miku and erstwhile underling Masa. As with ‘Tokyo Vice,’ Gokushufudo delves inside Japan’s criminal underbelly, demonstrating how many former yakuza associates have a life outside of crime. Also, Take A Look At: Shows Like Halo.
Final Thoughts On Shows Like Tokyo Vice
Shows Like Tokyo Vice have been described in detail. Which one do you prefer? If you have any additional fantastic Shows Like Tokyo Vice to recommend, please inform us or share them in the comments area below.
