Tokyo Vice – Season 2 Episode 5 “Illness of the Trade” Recap & Review

Illness of the Trade

Episode 5 of Tokyo Vice’s second season begins with Jake witnessing Nakahara’s death. He immediately calls Emi and informs her of the incident. Because he didn’t see Tozawa exit the building, the paper cannot publish an article alleging he did it. However, Emi agrees to at least mention his presence in the article. Ohno catches Samantha’s lie about snooping around his office. He is very calm about the whole situation, which perhaps prompts her to tell him the truth.

Ohno is concerned when Samantha mentions the Yakuza’s involvement. He comes up with a plan where Samantha asks Jake to publish a story about the Shambashi station (where the new complex will be built) and Ohno offers Ishida another site. This way, Ohno will be able to keep his job and Samantha will get her end of the bargain. Jake gets the tip from her and passes it on to Tin Tin, who has been haggled by Baku for lack of activity.

Jake warns Tin Tin not to give up the name of the station to the ministry official whose statement he will be recording. However, Tin Tin does exactly that and instead of coming back to him, the official makes a public announcement. Tozawa is about to confirm himself as the new boss of the crime organisation. He is on cloud nine but is brought back brutally to the ground by Kazuko, his wife. 

Nakahara was her father’s brother-in-law and the family is entirely unhappy with Tozawa’s actions. He is clearly outstepping his bounds and a reminder of the same makes him livid. He takes away the necklace he had gifted Kazuko and puts it around Misaki’s neck as they make love. It is hardly a two-way street as Misaki only has fear on her face. However, when Tozawa mentions buying a house for her mother that Misaki has always dreamt of, she becomes cheerful. 

In the wake of Tozawa’s return, Katagiri confesses to Nagata that he had threatened the detective’s family after Miamoto died. Nagata assures Katagiri that HQ will furnish security to the family so that he can carry on with the task force. She also begins the preparation for hitting Tozawa next by wiretapping his suite and his office.

Shingo reveals to Emi that Baku, the editor of the Meicho, has an affliction to right-wing nationalist groups. Tozawa’s corporation is a major donor to some of these groups. He speculates that Baku perhaps chooses to “look the other way” when it comes to the interests of the group, such as the fire incident. 

Hayama and Sato have walked a long way with the bag of money. But due to the former’s injury and the inclement weather, they cannot go on for much longer. They hitch a ride with a family back to Tokyo. However, before they do, the duo makes a pact. Sato agrees to keep Oto’s death a secret from Ishida if Hayama agrees to leave Kaito alone.

Sato has been accumulating weapons in Club Polina for a while. The duo take the weapons and report to Ishida, who instantly catches the lie. However, he doesn’t bring up the issue until later when alone in the car with Sato. After the announcement of the railway station, Ishida is meeting Ohno and Samantha at Club Polina. 

Jake turns his focus toward Tozawa and finding out why he disappeared. He breaks into a clinic from where he steals medical records for him and certain other Yakuza members. He learns that Tozawa suffered from “liver disease,” also called the “illness of the trade.” He shares the info with Nagata, Katagiri, and even Sato. The general consensus is that the disease isn’t curable but there is a doctor in Thailand that can elongate the patient’s life by six months. But why would Tozawa risk so much to only come back for six months? 

Nagata and Katagiri realize that Tozawa and his men are using burner phones to communicate. Katagiri uses his street smart to procure serial numbers of all the phones from the shopkeeper after the police followed one of Tozawa’s men to a shop.

In an emotional moment, Sato’s mother confronts him about Kaito’s changing behaviour. She confesses that she cannot “afford to lose both of her sons” and requests Sato to protect his brother. 

In his big meeting, Tozawa announces the sweeping changes to the organisation’s structure. From now onwards, they are all shareholders of his corporation, which will be paying out dividends from a consolidated entity. This would legalize the entire business operations, not giving the police any reason to pursue them…legally, at least. The crowd gives rapturous applause and approval to the plan. The episode’s climax is even more shocking.

It takes place in Club Polina where Ishida meets with the duo. Although it takes some amount of convincing, the oyabun gives his approval of the plan. But it is contingent on the actual realization of prices. Two masked men enter the club using the elevator and open fire. Ishida is quick to react and hides behind a couch. Ohno is shot in the head and killed instantly. Sato puts up a fight but his lack of adeptness in using guns ensures that he cannot do much. Ishida asks him to “stay alive” and is killed as he goes to fight them bare-handed. The assailants promptly escape but it is unclear who ordered the hit. 

The Episode Review

Episode 5 lays to rest one of the show’s most complex characters. Despite being a yakuza oyabun, Ishida always stood out for his upstanding perspective and ideals. His demise is one of the most unexpected turns in Tokyo Vice that should free the growing universe of its inhibitions. The lid on the controlled narrative is finally displaced as this coincides with Tozawa gaining approval from the mob bosses.

The episode shows serious plot progression that might be too much to digest. From every corner of the cinematic universe, the story is stretched to the extremes in Episode 5. While there are a few moments that feel wasteful, it is undeniable that Season 2 keeps up the pace. 

I have said it a few times already but Season 2 is a prime example of how a follow-up should capitalize on potential. Season 2 will ensure that Tokyo Vice is remembered as a great show and not merely a good one.