Tokyo Vice Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Unveiling the Top 10 Surprises

Tokyo Vice season 2, episode 5 "Illness of the Trade" continues from the suspenseful ending of episode 4. The popular HBO series has reached its halfway point, with five more episodes to uncover the fate of Jake and Katagiri. The duo must now confront the dangerous gang leader Tozawa, played by Ayumi Tanida, and seek justice. Throughout the first half of the season, Jake and Katagiri find themselves entangled once again with the Chihara-Kai, a risky move considering the dangers they face.

Jake Tells Eimi About Nakahara’s Death & Tozawa’s Likely Involvement

In the latest episode of Tokyo Vice, Jake opens up to Eimi about the shocking news of Nakahara's death. He also reveals his suspicions about Tozawa's potential involvement in the crime. This revelation adds a new layer of complexity to the storyline, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. As the plot thickens, the chemistry between Jake and Eimi continues to evolve, adding depth to their characters and the overall narrative of the series.

Jake following Tozawa in the previous episode paid off

Jake in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Jake following Tozawa in the previous episode paid off - Jake Tells Eimi About Nakahara’s Death & Tozawa’s Likely Involvement

Samantha Comes Clean To Masa About Why She Tried To Steal His Blueprints

Samantha finally admits to Masa the reason behind her attempt to steal his blueprints. She opens up about her desperate situation and the pressure she was under, leading her to make a wrong decision. Masa listens attentively, understanding the circumstances that drove Samantha to such actions. Through their honest conversation, they are able to clear the air and move forward with a newfound understanding and trust in their relationship.

Samantha tells him that the Chihara-Kai were interested in his Shimbashi project

Masa in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Samantha tells him that the Chihara-Kai were interested in his Shimbashi project - Samantha Comes Clean To Masa About Why She Tried To Steal His Blueprints

Eimi is shocked and defensive when she finds out that Tozawa has been paying Baku and could potentially have destroyed the Yoshino tape.

Shingo tells Eimi that Baku is financially linked to Tozawa

Eimi in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Shingo tells Eimi that Baku is financially linked to Tozawa - Eimi Discovers That Tozawa Pays Baku & Could Have Destroyed The Yoshino Tape

Misaki Is Forced To Become Tozawa’s Mistress Again Despite Feelings For Jake

After the police press conference regarding Nakahar's apparent "suicide", Eimi runs into Shingo, a fellow journalist and also her current love interest. Shingo reveals some very interesting news regarding a connection he found between Baku and Tozawa, revealing that Baku was essentially on Tozawa's payroll due to their similar right-wing politics. This all but confirms that Baku had set the fire at the Meicho office that had destroyed the Yoshino tape that would have implicated Tozawa in the death of Polina.

Jake becomes increasingly motivated to take down Tozawa and save Misaki

Misaki and Tozawa in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Jake becomes increasingly motivated to take down Tozawa and save Misaki - Misaki Is Forced To Become Tozawa’s Mistress Again Despite Feelings For Jake

Masa & Samantha Plot To Have Jake Publish Article About Shimbashi Development

Jake and Misaki's love story takes a sudden pause as Tozawa returns to Tokyo, forcing Misaki to resume her role as his devoted mistress. Despite their luck in keeping Jake's existence a secret from Tozawa so far, the situation could easily change in Tokyo Vice season 2. Misaki had promised Jake that she wouldn't go back to serving Tozawa, but her options seem limited at this point in the season.

Masa tries to get Samantha is off the hook & promises another opportunity

Samantha in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Masa tries to get Samantha is off the hook & promises another opportunity - Masa & Samantha Plot To Have Jake Publish Article About Shimbashi Development

Sato & Hayama Return To Ishido Win Guns That Sato Hid At Club Polina

Sato and Hayama decide to return to Ishido to retrieve the guns that Sato had hidden at Club Polina.

Neither of them mention the truth of what happened or Ota’s death

Sato and Tozawa bowing at Ishida in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Neither of them mention the truth of what happened or Ota’s death - Sato & Hayama Return To Ishido Win Guns That Sato Hid At Club Polina

Ishida Grows Suspicious Of Samantha

Sato and Hayama return from their wild trip to see Ota to buy weapons as per Ishida's instructions. Interestingly, Ishida is unaware of Ota's demise and doesn't question the weapons Sato brought back, which he had been quietly acquiring and storing at Club Polina as a contingency plan. Eventually, towards the end of the episode, Sato confesses to Ishida about stockpiling the guns in secret. Impressed by Sato's intuition, Ishida remarks that Sato will make a great oyabun someday.

Jake handed off the assignment to Tin Tin potentially knowing it would blow up in his face

Baku in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Jake handed off the assignment to Tin Tin potentially knowing it would blow up in his face - Word Of The Shimbashi Project Gets Out & Ishida Grows Suspicious Of Samantha

Sato informs Jake that Tozawa has contracted the "Illness of the Trade" and has a short time left to live.

Tozawa likely got a strange blood tranfucton or liver replacement that will eventually kill him

Sato in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Tozawa likely got a strange blood tranfucton or liver replacement that will eventually kill him - Sato Tells Jake That Tozawa Got The “Illness Of The Trade” & Won’t Live Long

Tozawa Instills Himself As The New President Of The “Reformed” Tozawa Clan

Sato meets up with Jake at the batting cages, during which Jake asks him about the "Illness of the Trade" which refers to the frequency of Yakuza who get liver disease. Sato explains that nobody in Japan would go so far as to donate their liver or any other organ for that matter, but there is supposedly a German doctor in Thailand who could perform a liver transplant. Sato also speaks of the doctor offering blood transfusion from young people but that the procedure would only extend life by half a year. Jake suspects that this is what Tozawa did when he disappeared for months.

Tozawa's vision is to rebrand the clan as a business not a gang

Tozawa in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Tozawa's vision is to rebrand the clan as a business not a gang - Tozawa Instills Himself As The New President Of The “Reformed” Tozawa Clan

Assassins Kill Ishida During His Meeting With Samantha & Masa

Ishida is tragically killed by assassins while in a meeting with Samantha and Masa.

Masa is also shot and killed in the crossfire

Ishida in Tokyo Vice season 2 episode 5 - Masa is also shot and killed in the crossfire - Assassins Kill Ishida During His Meeting With Samantha & Masa

In a surprising turn of events, Ishida is fatally shot by armed assassins during a meeting with Masa and Samantha regarding a new real estate opportunity. It appears that the assassins had specifically targeted Ishida, but it remains unclear by the end of the episode who had sent them and the reason for singling him out. Unfortunately, Masa, who was seated in front of Ishida during the attack, was also killed in the crossfire. Despite Sato's intervention to drive off the assassins, it seems that Ishida's fate has been sealed in Tokyo Vice season 2, episode 5.

Editor's P/S:

This episode of Tokyo Vice was a rollercoaster of emotions, with shocking revelations, unexpected twists, and heartbreaking losses. The chemistry between Jake and Eimi continues to captivate, adding depth and complexity to the storyline. The introduction of Tozawa as a formidable antagonist raises the stakes and sets the stage for an intense confrontation.

The sudden deaths of Ishida and Masa were particularly impactful, leaving viewers stunned and questioning the motives behind their assassinations. The episode left a lingering sense of suspense and anticipation, as we eagerly await the unveiling of Tozawa's true intentions and the fate of the remaining characters. Overall, this episode showcased the gripping storytelling and intricate character development that has made Tokyo Vice such a captivating series.