Reviews

"TOKYO VICE" has garnered attention as a drama depicting Tokyo's underworld from an American perspective, but from a Japanese viewpoint, it lacks realism in several areas.

First, regarding the language aspect, the protagonist's Japanese is very limited, consisting of only a few short phrases, and it is far from fluent. To put it in perspective for English speakers, it's akin to someone who can only say simple greetings and basic daily conversation phrases. This significantly detracts from the overall realism of the drama. A foreign journalist working seriously in Japan and investigating the Yakuza would require a much higher level of Japanese proficiency.

Next, the depiction of the underworld and the Yakuza is problematic. In reality, most Yakuza members do not speak English. The Yakuza are involved in illegal activities and are strictly regulated in Japan. As a result, they have lost much of their former power and influence, making it difficult for them to earn money. English-speaking Japanese individuals find value in their language skills alone and are unlikely to risk their lives by entering the high-risk world of the Yakuza. Consequently, the portrayal of English-speaking Yakuza characters lacks authenticity.

In summary, while "TOKYO VICE" can be entertaining, it has several notable shortcomings from a Japanese perspective in terms of realism. Particularly in the depiction of language proficiency and the underworld, it diverges significantly from reality and may give viewers a misleading impression. For those expecting a realistic portrayal of Japan's underworld, this drama does not meet those expectations.

If we consider the truth to be based on the outcome of the trial, the members of this special project team completely distrusted the trial results, still holding onto their own fantasies. They portrayed him as a villain, resembling individuals who refused to acknowledge their own mistakes. On the other hand, as he tries to recover from the harrowing experience, he surprised me by expressing forgiveness towards the person who subjected him to such brutal torture, a belief that contrasts with the victim image I hold. The initial motive behind filming this movie was his desire to invite those who tortured him for tea, but in reality, he expected to host them for tea, anticipating words of apology as souvenirs. However, Mr. X responded with violent outbursts once again.

This is a very "Netflix" show. Netflix simply expects viewers to keep watching this show. I enjoyed this show while occasionally skipping parts, but at the same time, it left me with the impression that Netflix's reality show quality is at this level. Watching a show with unclear rules is exciting but also unsettling, as the sense of "reality" gradually fades in an anything-goes situation. I found myself continuing to watch, feeling somewhat foolish, and it seemed like Netflix was telling me, "It may feel a bit odd, but you kept watching; this is what Netflix is all about." Well, that's fine; it served as a way to pass the time. However, from now on, I perceive Netflix Original shows as mere pastimes, not something to take seriously. Thank you, Netflix.