‘Tokyo Vice’: 5 Things To Know about Hitoshi Ishida – The Leader of Chihara-Kai

‘Tokyo Vice’ introduced us to a plethora of interesting characters connected to Tokyo’s Yakuza scene. From models, reporters, and businessmen, there are plenty of people from all walks of life, but the most interesting characters by far are the Yakuza and one of the most notable yakuza in the series is Hitoshi Ishida, the leader of Chihara-kai Yakuza Clan. Now Hitoshi’s journey in the show has been quite turbulent and ended on a dramatic note, this is why we decided to take a moment to tell you 5 things about his fascinating character. Let’s go.

1. Hitoshi Ishida was based on a real yakuza boss

We know that the primary inspiration for the show is Adelstein’s book under the same name and one of the most notable characters in the show, Tozawa is based on a real-life gangster Tadamasa Goto. Ishida is in turn based on Nobuyuki Kanazawa a member of the Inagawa-kai yakuza clan. Kanazawa was known as the gambler and was cool as ice when he needed to be.

2. Hitoshi was actually the right-hand man of Koichi Tanaka

Now when we say that Ishida is the leader of Chihara-kai, he is actually a de-facto leader as on paper the clan is led by Koichi Tanaka, the 80-year-old “father” of the clan. Ishida inherited his role relatively recently and it wasn’t exactly a smooth transition since he doesn’t have the full confidence and trust of his subordinates that Tanaka enjoyed.

3. Ishida was not as trusted as the previous leadership of the group

A lot of the members of the clan suspected that Hitoshi was in reality the informant for the Tokyo Metropolitan police which leads Ishida to panic and employ the help of Jake Adelstein to help him with this sinister reputation. As things were going, Ishida was in real danger of being executed by his own family. Especially considering that he seems to shy away from entering into the real conflict with the rival clan which some of the members might understand as weakness.

4. He had an intelligent approach to modern business

One of the most notable things about Tozawa is that there are no limits to what he will do for influence and power, he is even involved in several extremely unethical businesses. This is something that Ishida shies away from, considering that he won’t employ violence for violence’s sake and to prove a point. That doesn’t mean that he is not ruthless if crossed however, everybody considered a traitor is fair game.

5. He was severely injured in the latest episode of ‘Tokyo Vice’

And saving the saddest for last, you should know that Ishida’s journey in the show is seemingly over as he was shot and injured by some seemingly random strangers in Episode 5. Ishida was shot a a close range and fell in front of Sato who along with Hayama decided to bring him to their headquarters where some medical attention should be given to him, they avoided going to the hospital out of fear that it would alert authorities and put them on their trail. Ishida is of now, still alive in the show but this is bound to change. The attack was most likely orchestrated by Tozawa.

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