Vivant plot summary: a costly mistake turns into a spy thriller
Vivant begins with a routine business deal that goes badly wrong. Yusuke Nogi works in the Energy Development Division of Ryosho, a large Japanese trading company. The company is involved in a solar energy plant in the Balkan Republic, a country in Central Asia. A payment to GFL, a local infrastructure firm, should have been a standard down payment. Instead, ten times that amount was sent.
This leaves a gap of 90 million dollars, and suspicion soon falls on Nogi. To clear his name and recover the money, he travels to the Balkan Republic himself. A friend at the CIA named Sam helps him, and together they find a lead suggesting the money has ended up with a terrorist figure. It may also have been turned into diamonds and taken out of reach.
What starts as an office accounting problem quickly becomes something bigger. The story moves into international intrigue, political conspiracy and the world of corporate espionage. It sets up a story where business, crime and secret networks overlap.
What makes Vivant notable: cast, network and format
A heavyweight Japanese cast. Masato Sakai leads as Yusuke Nogi. He is joined by Hiroshi Abe as Mamoru Nozaki, Fumi Nikaido as Kaoru Yuzuki, Tori Matsuzaka as Shun Kurosu and Kazunari Ninomiya as Nokor. The ensemble also includes:
- Ryo Ryusei as Kotaro Shinjo
- Takashi Yamanaka as Ali
- Barslkhagva Batbold as Genghis
- Tsaschikher Khatanzorig as Adiel
- Kenta Uchino as Sho Suzuki
Broadcaster and creative team. Vivant is a Japanese series from the TBS network. It is directed by Katsuo Fukuzawa, Yohei Miyazaki and Akiko Katō. Fukuzawa is also one of its writers, together with Hayato Miyamoto, Shoki Doi, Masami Ri, Nana Yamamoto and Hiroyuki Yatsu.
Genre mix. The show combines drama and crime with a spy thriller and adventure angle. Its starting point is the Japanese trading-company world, known as shosha, which it ties to secret societies and cross-border conspiracy.
Format. Season 1 premiered on 16 July 2023 with 10 episodes. Season 2 premiered on 19 July 2026 with 14 episodes. A third season is listed with 1 episode, and its premiere date is not yet listed. That makes 25 episodes listed in total. Episodes run around 47 minutes, and the series is still airing as a returning series.
Who will enjoy Vivant
- Fans of spy thrillers built around international intrigue and conspiracy
- Viewers who like corporate dramas where office politics leads to something far more dangerous
- Followers of Masato Sakai, Hiroshi Abe, Fumi Nikaido, Tori Matsuzaka or Kazunari Ninomiya
- Audiences curious about Japanese television drama with a globe-trotting, adventure-style story
- Adult viewers comfortable with mature content, since the series is rated TV-MA in the US
Where to watch Vivant in the US
In the United States, Vivant is listed on these official subscription platforms:
- Netflix (subscription)
- Netflix Standard with Ads (subscription)
- HBO Max (subscription)
- HBO Max Amazon Channel (subscription)
Vivant is rated TV-MA in the US. It is still airing, so check each platform for the episodes currently offered there.
Trailer
Cast
Masato Sakaias Yusuke Nogi25 episodes
Hiroshi Abeas Mamoru Nozaki25 episodesSee credits →
Fumi Nikaidoas Kaoru Yuzuki25 episodes
Tori Matsuzakaas Shun Kurosu25 episodes
Kazunari Ninomiyaas Nokor25 episodes
Ryo Ryuseias Kotaro Shinjo25 episodes
Takashi Yamanakaas Ali25 episodes
Barslkhagva Batboldas Genghis25 episodes
Photo: TMDB
Episode guide
| Season | Episode | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Aired | |
| 1 | 2 | Aired | |
| 1 | 3 | Aired | |
| 1 | 4 | Aired | |
| 1 | 5 | Aired | |
| 1 | 6 | Aired | |
| 1 | 7 | Aired | |
| 1 | 8 | Aired | |
| 1 | 9 | Aired | |
| 1 | 10 | Aired | |
| 2 | 1 | Aired | |
| 2 | 2 | Aired | |
| 2 | 3 | Aired | |
| 2 | 4 | Aired | |
| 2 | 5 | Aired | |
| 2 | 6 | Aired | |
| 2 | 7 | Aired | |
| 2 | 8 | Aired | |
| 2 | 9 | Aired | |
| 2 | 10 | Aired | |
| 2 | 11 | Aired | |
| 2 | 12 | Aired | |
| 2 | 13 | Upcoming | |
| 2 | 14 | Upcoming | |
| 3 | 1 | date not announced | Upcoming |
Dates are original broadcast dates in the country of origin (Korea/China). Official streaming platforms in your country may add episodes the same day or later.
FAQ
- How many episodes does Vivant have?
- Vivant has 25 episodes listed across three seasons. Season 1 has 10 episodes, Season 2 has 14 episodes and Season 3 is listed with 1 episode. Episodes run around 47 minutes.
- Where can I watch Vivant legally in the US?
- In the US, Vivant is listed on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. It is also listed on HBO Max and the HBO Max Amazon Channel. All four are subscription services.
- Who is in the cast of Vivant?
- Masato Sakai stars as Yusuke Nogi. The main cast also includes Hiroshi Abe as Mamoru Nozaki, Fumi Nikaido as Kaoru Yuzuki, Tori Matsuzaka as Shun Kurosu and Kazunari Ninomiya as Nokor. Ryo Ryusei, Takashi Yamanaka, Barslkhagva Batbold, Tsaschikher Khatanzorig and Kenta Uchino also appear.
- When was Vivant released?
- Vivant premiered on TBS on 16 July 2023. Season 2 premiered on 19 July 2026. The premiere date for Season 3 is not yet listed.
- What genre is Vivant?
- Vivant is a Japanese drama and crime series. It works as a spy thriller with elements of corporate espionage, political conspiracy, international intrigue and adventure.
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