In the thrilling new season of the critically acclaimed HBO series Tokyo Vice, episode 4 “Like a New Man” unveils various new story points and twists. Following Tozawa’s unexpected reappearance at the conclusion of Tokyo Vice season 2, episode 3, one of the primary antagonists from season 1 returns in season 2.
Being one of the most volatile and unpredictable characters in the entire series, his return means danger for almost every member of Tokyo Vice’s amazing cast of characters. The new bond that Jake and Misaki have formed while he is away has undoubtedly made them both anxious.
After two consecutive police raids, the efforts of recently appointed Superintendents Nagata and Katagiri have upset the usual routine of the Chihara-Kai. The strong crackdown of Nagata’s idealistic approach has undermined the seeming peace and balance between Tokyo’s police force and underground crime organizations, seemingly setting the stage for a big confrontation to finally break out.
Recap
The episode opens with Katagiri and Ishida having a formal sit-down during which Ishida warns Katagiri about impending police operations against the Chihara-Kai. Ishida listens to Katagiri’s remarks without seeming aggressive, demonstrating the two men’s long-lasting bond of mutual respect and understanding.
Katagiri clarifies that the raids will go on and that the Yakuzas who are taken into custody will be bound by Tokyo law as a result of Nagata’s uncompromising tactics. Ishida recognizes the danger it poses to the Chihara-Kai as a whole and heeds Katagiri’s warnings.
At the urgent Chihara-Kai conference that Ishida arranges with his other Yakuza leaders, Tozawa makes his public debut. Ishida is surprised by Tozawa’s unexpected appearance and seems to be suppressing his anger over Tozawa’s having his men pursue him during the first season of Tokyo Vice.
Tozawa chooses to collaborate with the Chihara-Kai and supports a strategy of retaliating against the police. Ishida cautions him that he will probably end up severely burned as a result of his ambitious approach. Eimi is still looking into who might have set the Meicho office fire that destroyed the Yohino video.
Baku, who says he thinks it unlikely that there would be a mole working for Tozawa on the inside, appears to be just as ignorant as she is. Given that Baku is among the few individuals with the necessary access to have started the fire, Eimi is obviously beginning to have doubts about him.
Eimi begins to see Baku’s perhaps dishonest behavior. Ishida, who once believed that the Yakuza’s use of guns was dishonorable, has had a change of heart over this. With Tozawa back in the area and additional police raids targeting the Chihara-Kai, Ishida has no choice but to get some guns for defense.
Hayama and Sato are given orders by him to obtain the weapons from Ota, a former Yakuza member who was dishonorably expelled from the Chihara-Kai but is still seen as loyal by Ishida.