Disclaimer: I dare to say I know a thing or two about the so called Japanese "culture", especially when dealing with gaijins (outsiders), hence was curios to see this pilot, but without expecting too much. Usually a western production makes obvious mistakes especially when it comes to production design and dialogues.
So: it's a solid pilot, Michael Mann obviously knows how to keep the action moving in the frame and give audience a sense of dread, anticipation, claustrophobia. It's kind of unnecessary and exaggerated sometimes, eg the scene during the exam: we know our guy is gonna make it, no need to stress his anguish, just show us the uniformity of the Japanese folks, contrasted with the westerner attire and let's move on. The last scene with the yakuza family doesnt serve any purpose other than mere spectacle.
Yes, I do like the way the represent Tokyo in the 1990's: small spaces, heaps of people, the club scene, order and cleanliness. The soft neon vibes + desaturated palette is hard to pull together, no one cannot say it doesnt work.
The fact the blonde dude learnt Japanese for his role is indeed impressive, but it gets unrealistically painful and cringy when he acts like the classic extroverted westerner at his workplace. He wouldnt have done that, he would be perfectly aware he would have been kicked out or relegated to stare at the wall in a flash.
Dialogues are... passable.
Now: I found out the series is inspired from real events... and... it's one of those cases where real life stuff needs to be reworked to make it more interesting for the audience. Thing is: our protagonist doesnt have a decent "why". He goes and learn Japanese, move to japan, take the exam to start working like a madman as a reporter...why? As he says talking to the western singer: I feel it's a good thing to do, that's it.
Well, not enough my friend, not enough for me to care about your journey. I get it, it's dangerous out there with the yakuza families but... why should I care? What does he have to lose ? What's his real goal? Too shallow.
I'm wondering if there will be some supernatural things involved, the last scene with the "ghost"(?) of a deceased dude.