After last week’s aptly named “Endgame” episode, season 2 of “Tokyo Vice” on Max has come and gone, bringing with it plenty of action and more than enough investigative reporting, all set in a neon-drenched Tokyo like backdrop like no other.
News about a possible third season of “Tokyo Vice” has been dubious, with series writer JT Rogers stating in a Hollywood Reporter Interview who has one “ready to go”. The ball now remains in Warner Bros. Discovery’s court, but given its outside acclaim and the incredible vibes presented in a show that few can replicate with its setting, “Tokyo Vice” could use a revamp.
But before we get too excited to see Jake Adelstein and his many friends again, we’ll have to hold our breath ahead of news of his return. From the Japanese period piece “Shogun” to the 2012 political drama “The Newsroom,” these next streaming series should prove to be ample escape in anticipation of a possible third season of “Tokyo Vice.”
‘Giri/Haji’
When the yakuza is involved, that’s never a good sign, but Kenzo Mori, similar to “Tokyo Vice’s” headstrong news reporter Jake Adelstein, pursues that danger with infinite determination in the search for his lost brother in London. As a detective from Japan, he knows the terrifying threats that lie ahead, but if the stories of his brother killing a member of the Yakuza are true, he also knows that he will have to act fast.
“Giri/Haji” is another brilliant combination of neo-noir fiction, one that has its roots from the land of the rising sun to Britain, fusing those worlds in a fascinating way while Kenzo barely irritates a possible gang war. . It has a similar feel to “Tokyo Vice,” with its copious night shots and fast-paced action, and is made up of all but eight of the Netflix episodes.
See in the Netflix
‘Miami Vice’
Michael Mann’s bright, neon-lit police procedural needs no introduction. Debuting in 1984 with the sounds of pop classics underlined by its tropical vibe, “Miami Vice” demonstrates a vibe all its own. The show stars cool, flashy vice detectives Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) and James “Sonny” Crocket (Don Johnson), who sport their own electric-hued fashion and luggage.
Mirroring how its modern counterpart “Tokyo Vice” brings to life a late ’90s Japan, “Miami Vice” similarly takes viewers into the cocaine-fueled world of ’80s Miami. As partners, Tubbs and Crocket join forces. They face a series of menacing enemies, many of whom have become household names today, including Bruce Willis, Liam Neeson, Phill Collins and many more.
Rent/buy in Amazon either Apple
‘The news room’
Departing slightly from the more neo-noir elements of “Tokyo Vice,” HBO’s 2012 political drama “The Newsroom” may still prove a worthy substitute given its rich look at the ever-bustling cable news network. The show was created by the talented mind of Aaron Sorkin, of “West Wing” and “The Social Network” fame.
“The Newsroom” follows Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels), a former prosecutor turned news anchor, who must put together a new team after a rather haughty political panel at Northwestern University, where he described how the United States is no longer the most biggest in the world. world. It’s a fascinating look into the world of reporting and story-finding for those in tune with the Meicho Shimbun stories of “Tokyo Vice.”
See in the max.
‘Shogun’
While not filled with crime reporting or Yakuza-led wrongdoing, “Shogun” still proves to be an expert look at Japanese history and culture on the same level as its Max counterpart. The show stars Hiroyku Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga amid political upheaval around mid-16th century Japan.
“Shogun” takes several liberties in analyzing the story surrounding the rise of the shogun, but still manages to tell an incredibly interesting story full of surprises and action that keeps you glued to the screen. He has already earned several high-level accolades, with a rotten tomatoes score that currently stands at 99%.
See in the Hulu
‘Inform’
As one of the few shows that can capture the same style and narrative presented in “Tokyo Vice,” “Informa” turns out to be a big win and an overlooked Netflix thriller. Released in 2023, this adaptation of the novel follows the duo of a former Yakuza informant and a Japanese tabloid reporter on their quest to uncover the secrets behind a series of murders.
See in the Netflix
‘Too old to die young’
If you thought having the Yakuza on your back was bad, like Jake Adelstein from “Tokyo Vice,” what if cartel soldiers, the Russian mafia and a mysterious band of vigilantes did the same, too? In this show directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, Miles Teller’s Martin Jones must confront his own actions and confront demons of untold violence in an underground world rife with bloodshed.
Based in Los Angeles, “Too Old to Die Young” follows a detective who leads a double life as a hitman and barely hopes to find redemption after the death of his partner. However, things are not so easy, as the underworld is often not very kind to those who hope to escape its clutches.
See in the main video
‘Sugar’
Launched on Apple TV Plus very recently, “Sugar” already scratches that neo-noir itch that many might miss in the absence of “Tokyo Vice.” Not only does the show appropriately begin with the backdrop of a black and white Japan, but it also leads into a narrative that sees Colin Farrell as a smart and agile private detective named John Sugar.
The abrupt disappearance of the granddaughter of a Hollywood mogul brings Sugar into contact with a series of wild characters in the context of a Los Angeles strangled by fame, arrogance and tons of alcohol. Interesting camerawork and brilliant cuts allow “Sugar” to stand out as a promising new entry, best of all the use of classic film shots as gentle touchstones throughout the episodes.
See in the Apple TV Plus
- The successes of ‘Shogun’ and ‘Tokyo Vice’ expose a huge gap in streaming services, and it’s time to fix it
- ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ taught me to respect time and yet I can’t stop watching it
- The Best Anime Shows and Movies on Netflix in February 2024
