This is based on the autobiographical novel by Jake Adelstein about an American journalist who becomes embroiled in a scandal involving the Japanese crime syndicate, better known as yakuza. Ansel Elgort (and his floppy hair) are cast in the lead and he generates a compelling performance. His Japanese is also impressive (he spent 4 hours a day for a month). Despite the continuous prejudice from many around him, his character manages to befriend a local cop (Ken Watanabe). Together they take on the criminal underworld. Michael Mann directed the first episode to set the style, no doubt, but this is no relation to his TV hit Miami Vice. It does feature Mann’s propensity for dark settings. The script is interesting enough with the cultural aspects deepening the relevance. Overall, it’s a solid police/journalist drama. NOTE: In English with plenty of subtitled Japanese. (Review based on the first 3 of 8 one-hour episodes. Additional shows drop on Thursdays.) 
(3.5 / 5)
