HBO Max 'Tokyo Vice': 5 things to know about crime drama starring Ansel Elgort
Content on organized crime never gets boring as long as the execution is fresh. It only gets even more exciting when it's about the Yakuza. The Japanese organized crime syndicate seemingly traces its roots to the early 1600s and is considered to be one of the most sophisticated and wealthiest criminal organizations in the world. 'Tokyo Vice,' HBO Max's upcoming crime drama starring Ansel Elgort, follows a reporter who embeds himself within the vice squad of Japan to explore and report about the Yakuza.
Based on the memoirs of Jake Adelstein, the first non-Japanese staff writer at Yomiuri Shimbun, the series, in all probability, will encapsulate his time there, featuring the most engaging cases he covered. Adelstein spent over 12 years at Shimbun and his memoirs, apart from giving a closer look at the Yakuza, gives the reader an insight into the way the Japanese police operated. You could also take a look at 'The Thaw,' 'Gomorrah,' and 'Landscapers' if you're interested in other HBO Max crime dramas.
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When and where can you watch 'Tokyo Vice'?
The first 3 episodes of 'Tokyo Vice' are slated to release on HBO Max on April 7, 2022. The remaining episodes will drop on the Thursdays following the premiere. HBO Max is currently available in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and in select countries in Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Subscriptions start at $9.99/month.
What is 'Tokyo Vice' all about?
The show's official synopsis, according to HBO Max, reads: "Based on Jake Adelstein's non-fiction first-hand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat, the drama series captures Adelstein's (played by Ansel Elgort) daily descent into the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo, where nothing and no one is truly what or who they seem."
Who stars in 'Tokyo Vice'?
Ansel Elgort will be seen as Jake Adelstein in 'Tokyo Vice.' He's an actor, singer, and DJ. Elgort has been a part of the industry since 2013, debuting as Tommy Ross in Kimberly Peirce's 'Carrie' starring alongside Chloe Grace Moretz. He would go on to star in the 'Divergent' series, 'The Fault in Our Stars,' 'Baby Driver' and 'West Side Story.' 'Tokyo Vice' is Elgort's TV debut. He also serves as an executive producer on the series.
Other actors who are a part of 'Tokyo Vice' are Ken Watanabe, Rachel Keller, Ella Rumpf, Rinko Kikuchi, Hideaki Ito, Show Kasamatsu, and Tomohisa Yamashita.
Who are the showrunners?
'Tokyo Vice' is executive produced by Jake Adelstein, Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, Destin Daniel Cretton, Brad Caleb Kane, John Lesher, Michael Mann, Alan Poul, J.T. Rogers, Emily Gerson Saines, and Kayo Washio. It was created by Rogers, and the pilot episode was directed by Mann. Cretton was at the helm for the remaining nine episodes. The show was produced by Endeavor Content.
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