Vivant

Vivant is a spy thriller that harkens back to the old thriller movies that take place in more than one nation with twists, turns, and intrigue around every corner. It takes place in Japan, Mongolia, and the fictitious Balka, a poor country that's home to one of the world's biggest terrorist organizations, Tent. Agent Nozoki, a Japanese Metro Police's Public Security agent (kind of like the FBI with CIA clout in the USA) stationed in the Balkan Japanese Embassy, gets wind of a possible attack on Japanese soil. Meanwhile, mild mannered businessman Nogi Yusuke gets himself involved as he tries to track down some missing money. The paths of these 2 men cross and become entangled as they both continue their investigations. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Actually, that's pretty much just episode 1, maybe part of 2.

The writing is well done. Toward the end it could've probably been a little tighter (or maybe just less confusing), but everything is explained, except for the very end which leaves it open for a sequel. The cinematography was very good. In my decades of watching Japanese tv, they've never had a show like this. Not that they weren't capable of making one, they just didn't. I think Japan has finally realized there's a global market for things other than anime & manga. I for one am here for it. Let's go!

The cast was stellar. I am a huge fan of Abe Hiroshi (Agent Nozaki). To me he's never better than when he's investigating or being investigated. I'm now a fan of Sakai Masato (Nogi). He was brillant. Meek one minute and kick ass the next. The rest of the cast was also talented, especially Mongolian actor, Barslkhagva Batbold (Balka Police Captain Genghis), who held his own in every scene , especially against Abe; and fan favorite Tomisakae Drum, who played the lovable mute, Drum, Nozaki's assistant who aided him at every turn. I hope to see both of them again.

The music was good, especially the main theme that let you know you were in for an adventure. The re-watch is fairly high, which is something rare for me. I say that because the subs were hit and miss depending on the source. I will probably re-watch to see clues and things I missed.

Was Vivant perfect? Nope. What is? Was it an entertaining watch? Yup! It's a good solid watch for those of us who enjoy spies, thrills, and murder. I recommend getting snacks first because although you can pause, you won't want to.

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"Penetrate the paper with your gaze"

I was perusing Netflix’s offerings and saw an image of Yakusho Koji for Vivant’s advertisement. That was honestly enough for me to jump into the drama without knowing what it was about. Full disclosure for his other 12 fans, Koji doesn’t really show up until episode 8. Until then I had to rely on Abe Hiroshi and Mongolian actor, Barslkhagva Batbold, to keep me entertained. Sakai Masato’s performance as Nogi Yusuke was hit and miss with me.

Nogi Yusuke is in deep doggy doo doo at his company when $100,000,000 is “accidentally” transferred to a business in Balka instead of the agreed upon payment of $10,000,000. Nogi heads to Balka in an attempt to retrieve the 90 million. From there he becomes entangled with a Japanese policeman, a Japanese doctor, a mute Balkan child with a heart condition, a mute Balkan agent, a relentless Balkan policeman, a whole heap of spy trouble, a terrorist organization, and a personified inner critic he talks aloud with. Throw in a few daddy issues and that about rounded the drama out.

Sakai Masato initially played Nogi for laughs as the businessman stumbled cluelessly about. This kind of wide-eyed childish character is the type I rarely connect with. Ham-fisted clues were not hard to pick up on as the innocent Nogi bumbled through Balka. Nikaido Fumi had the thankless role of the often annoying and selfless doctor, Kaoru. As her character calmed down and was thrust into the love interest role, she became less important to the story. I could detect no romantic chemistry and the 20-year age gap seemed wider in this drama. Despite his naïve persona, Sakai looked every bit of 50 or older which proved problematic with another age gap he was involved in. Abe Hiroshi swaggered his way through as the extremely confident policemen/agent with a 100 watt smile. I enjoyed Matsuzaka Tori’s turn as Nogi’s work buddy Kurosu. As I mentioned, Yakusho Koji is one of my favorite actors. He did what he could with his pivotal role even when his character was reduced to monologuing or giving ridiculous reasons for his actions. Was there a problem with two of the actors’ speaking abilities which caused the producers to make them both mute?

The Mongolian scenery, especially the desert, was stunning and often a backdrop for characters behaving inexplicably. The music was mostly pleasing relying heavily on classical tunes and a version of The Incredibles theme song. When you hear Wagner, you know they are going with the overly dramatic music. I may not have bought the romance but I really liked one of the enemies to friends relationships. The twists and cliffhangers were somehow predictable and at the same time fun.

The episodes were long and the first ep dragged almost causing me to drop it. I’m glad I stuck with the drama because even with ridiculous plot armor, unbelievable spy and political intrigue, family drama, and fantastical chase scenes I enjoyed Vivant right up until the last episode when they zapped all the pleasure out of it with long moralizing and nationalistic speeches. I feel like this review is too negative because I actually binged the heck out of Vivant. Cheese and small doses of implausibility don't bother me, and if not for the eye-rolling final episode I would have rated it an 8.0. If you are looking for a realistic spy drama or a self-acknowledged spoof of one, this isn't it. Vivant did try to step out of the usual comfort zone of office and home which I was quite pleased with.

24 June 2025
A few spoilery thoughts below:



















****Spoiler talk****

Nogi’s mental illness was never properly addressed and was left untreated. He quite obviously talked to and argued with himself even in public spaces which made me wonder how he became a spy in the first place. Also, a petty observation, Nogi was supposed to be gifted with languages and I understood maybe a third of his English. Yusuke looked more like a brother to Beki than a son which did jostle my immersion into the story fairly often. I was thrilled when it was finally revealed that he was Vivant so that Nogi could back off of the clumsy routine. But that ending with Beki made no sense to me whatsoever.

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