Both fans and critics enjoyed Tokyo Vice season 1, the crime drama based on the experiences of American journalist Jake Adelstein. So to the delight of just about everybody, Tokyo Vice season 2 is here. And in great news for UK fans, it has at last landed on BBC iPlayer, months after it became available in the US.
Crime story mastermind Michael Mann executive produced Tokyo Vice and directed the pilot episode, though the creator of the series is J.T. Rogers, whose other major TV project was the TV movie Oslo, based on his own play.
Tokyo Vice season 1 debuted in the spring of 2022 in the US on Max (arriving in the UK in the fall) and was then renewed a couple of months later in June.
Here is everything we know about the latest season Tokyo Vice.
How to watch Tokyo Vice season 2
The Tokyo Vice season 2 finale is now available to stream on Max, meaning you can watch the entire season on the streaming service right now. While in the UK the entire season has now landed on BBC iPlayer. The first season is also available to watch on iPlayer.
Tokyo Vice season 2 recaps
Here are the official synopsis to the Tokyo Vice season 2 episodes...
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 1, "Don't Ever F**king Miss"
"As Jake, Katagiri and Samantha pursue the truth about Polina, Sato clings to life — but not all of the Chihara-kai are hoping for his full recovery." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 1 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 2, "Be My Number One"
"As Jake and Katagiri seek new meaning at work, Samantha confronts a thief in her club, and Chihara-kai welcome a returning member." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 2 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 3, "Old Laws, New Twist"
"Katagiri and Ngata ramp up their efforts. Jake gets invited to an exclusive party. Samantha and Sato deal with growing problem at the club." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 3 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 4, "Like a New Man"
"As the new yakuza task force takes off, Ishida calls a summit. While Sato and Hayama join forces, Katagiri and Jake investigate a mysterious return." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 4 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5, "Illness of the Trade"
"After a disastrous setback, Sato and Hayama strategize a way forward. Jake and Katagiri pursue their target, and try not to land in his crosshairs." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 6, "I Choose You"
"Chihara-kai attempt to regroup after a devastating shootout. Jake, Katagiri and Ngata pursue a tip from Samantha." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 6 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 7, "The War at Home"
"A death at Chihara-kai causes upheaval. Jakes makes a long overdue visit home. Katagiri hopes a perp will help break his case wide open." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 7 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 8, "The Noble Path"
"Jake's successful trip to the US propels the group in a new direction, while Katagiri struggles with his case's devastating turn of events." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 8 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 9, "Consequences"
"Sato considers the future of Chihara-kai, while Jake and Katagiri inch closer to exposing the truth about Tozawa." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 9 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 10, "Endgame"
"As Jake and Katagiri close in on a crucial piece of evidence, Sato prepares for the greatest power move of his life, and Samantha arranges an important meeting." Read WTW's Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 10 recap.
Tokyo Vice season 2 cast
The main cast of Tokyo Vice are all back for season 2, led by Ansel Elgort as Jake Adelstein, Ken Watanabe Hiroto Katagiri, Rachel Keller as Samantha, Rinko Kikuchi as Eimi and Shô Kasamatsu as Sato.
There are two new additions to the cast as series regulars, Yosuke Kubozuka and Miki Maya.
Variety, meanwhile, had previously reported that Takayuki Suzuki (Invasion) is joining the show in the role of Masahito Ohno, an architect who is a client at a hostess club that then gets dragged into the underworld that works behind the curtain of the club.
Tokyo Vice season 2 plot
Warning, SPOILERS AHEAD for Tokyo Vice season 1.
Tokyo Vice is based on the memoir from Jake Adelstein about his time covering the police beat and the Yakuza in 1990s Tokyo. There have been some questions about just how much of Adelstein's memoir is what really happened, but we'll leave that for another day.
The first season saw Jake get a job at a well-respected Tokyo newspaper, working on the police beat. After initial struggles, he forms close relationships with a number of people that allow him to dive deep into the Yakuza. This includes his editor Eimi, police detective Katagiri, Yakuza member Sato and an American hostess, Samantha.
As Jake investigates a string of apparent suicides, he discovers surprising connections to the criminal underworld. But the closer he gets the more dangerous things become.
Other than Jake, we see Samantha try and earn money to form her own club, but her own relations with the Yakuza and her past cause complications; she is also concerned for her friend Polina, who goes missing and Jake learns was actually murdered.
Then there is Sato, who is slowly moving up the ranks of the Yakuza, but who seems conflicted by his choice of profession. At the end of season 1, Sato is attacked, stabbed and left for dead, but we don't know if he makes it or not. Was this attack from the rival Yakuza family, or was this an inside job because Sato was starting to question his superiors?
Elsewhere, we never saw it, but it certainly wasn't looking good for the dirty cop Jin Miyamoto, who was taken far away by his former mafia employers after seeming to turn a corner.
With all of the back story, here is the official synopsis for Tokyo Vice season 2:
"Loosely inspired by American journalist Jake Adelstein's first-hand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat, season two of the series, filmed on location in Tokyo, takes us deeper into the city's criminal underworld as Adelstein (Ansel Elgort) comes to realize that his life, and the lives of those close to him, are in terrible danger."
Tokyo Vice season 2 trailer
The thrilling first trailer for Tokyo Vice season 2 is here. Enjoy it directly below:
Read our big takeaways from the Tokyo Vice season 2 trailer here.
