In a surprising turn of events, Max has announced the cancellation of Tokyo Vice after two successful seasons. The crime drama, based on journalist Jake Adelstein's memoir, had been supported by Max since its inception and was initially planned for a two-season arc. However, the creators expressed their desire to continue telling more of the story.
Max has been a steadfast supporter of Tokyo Vice since its inception five years ago. The network gave the green light to produce two seasons, with an option for a fifth season based on Adelstein's second book, The Last Yakuza. Despite this, Max and its creators have mutually agreed to end the series after season two.
The response from both critics and fans has been overwhelming. Tokyo Vice premiered in 2022 and starred Ansel Elgort as Jake Adelstein, Ken Watanabe as Hiroto Katagiri, and Rachel Keller. The show received positive reviews, with an 89% average among critics and a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite the cancellation, the creators remain optimistic about the future of Tokyo Vice. They are grateful for Max's support throughout the production process and for Fifth Season's role in selling the show around the world, making it a global success story.
Tokyo Vice was developed by Max's original executive regime of Bob Greenblatt, Kevin Reilly, and Sarah Aubrey in mid-2019. The series launched on Max in April 2022 and received critical acclaim for its richly written material, stunning visuals, and lived-in performances.
The cancellation of Tokyo Vice is the latest move by streamers to trim their rosters as they navigate the era of belt-tightening following the end of Peak TV. Max has also canceled several other shows, including The Girls on the Bus, Rap Shit, Julia, and Our Flag Means Death.