This review may contain spoilers
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
"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.
Was this review helpful to you?
Frankly, it's quite alright
I've never been a "big budget" drama/movie type of person, and Vivant hasn't changed my opinion on that. You can have the biggest budget, but emotional punches and memorable scenes don't need to take place in the vast Mongolian landscape or Hokkaido snow. It can happen in a small room anywhere.That being said, Mongolia was beautiful and the landscape was a joy to watch. Unfortunately this is not a documentary or travel docuseries so it really didn't matter to me. The happenings in Mongolia *cough, Balka* were not that exciting for me personally. I really enjoyed the financial scams within the corporate Japan world, that part of the drama made me on the edge of my seat.
Waste of acting potential for Nikaido Fumi, one of Japan's most brilliant actress. The doctor role was frankly annoying and she had zero chemistry with Sakai Masato.
The worst part of the drama is the revelation at the end (will not reveal to not spoil any plot) and the preachy part about how moral Japanese people are. This is coming from a Japanophile. People anywhere can be good, bad, moral, immoral, amoral.
Was this review helpful to you?
Nonsense and Ridiculousness Rivals "Descendants of the Sun"
If this were made to be a satire with a lot of humour, it might have worked. Too bad it was made to be a drama/action/thriller/(fantasy) because I simply cannot take it seriously.If others can believe such ridiculousness as was presented in episode 1, then perhaps they can watch the rest of the drama. For me, I am dropping it.
What I liked:
Hiroshi Abe
What was unbearable:
- the main characters, Businessman Nogi and Doctor Yuzuki.
- Masato Sakai plays the bumbling idiot well, but the character is too obnoxious
- what is with the over-acting from Fumi Nakaido?
> her character is supposed to be a highly trained doctor > being able to hold down a job in a foreign country and culture means she should have the temperament and experience to behave more rationally and sensibly
- an incompetent businessman from Japan knows an American CIA agent? And is like a brother to him? When he can barely speak English properly? (the ridiculousness continues)
- an ordinary businessman goes on such a tricky and dangerous mission in a foreign (fictional) country that is rampant with corruption *alone*
> without any aid from the Japanese Consulate > without any aid from a local guide > without even so much an an interpreter (because let's assume that people everywhere can understand the Japanized version of their language)
- portrayal of most foreigners (natives of Balka) as antagonists, while all the protagonists are all Japanese)
Was this review helpful to you?
De los mejores Jdramas de 2023.
Estoy muy contenta de que Netflix cada vez agregue más y más series japonesas a su catálogo y esta vez me vi Vivant, un drama de 10 episodios que fue un 'Boom' en todo Japón tanto en redes sociales como en medios más tradicionales y desde hace tiempo tenía hartas ganas de ver.La historia en resumidas cuentas gira entorno a un empleado de cierta empresa que presuntamente hace una transferencia errónea y con ello, se desencadenan acontecimientos muy locos a nivel internacional. El primer episodio está lleno de suspenso y sobre todo de mucha acción que se vuelve adictiva a quedarte viendo más y más siendo estable de principio a fin, aunque eso sí, no se escapa de uno que otro cliché de las series de su género, pero la mayoría de los plot twist que contiene VIVANT son bastante buenos para que el espectador pueda pensar en las posibles teorías de lo que puede suceder en un próximo episodio y además de una producción gigantesta que se nota que hubo muchas ganas (y dinero) a la hora de contratar a los actores (y hacer que hablen otro idioma), llevarlos a otro país a grabar, entre otras cosas. Ah, por cierto, VIVANT en ocasiones tiene 'guiños' coquetos de lo que es el mundo de Hanzawa Naoki (otra serie muuuy popular del mismo canal y con el mismo actor como prota: Sakai Masato).
Hablando de actores, que actuaciones tan más SOBERBIAS las de Sakai Masato y Abe Hiroshi en este drama, una delicia verlos actuar juntos.
En verdad esta serie es toda una experiencia, es muy sólida en todos los aspectos en la que en pleno 2023 todavía podemos decir que se pueden hacer proyectos de calidad ORIGINALES y ser un hitazo. Si buscas de acción a lo japonés y además fuera de lo común, VIVANT seguro se ganará tu simpatía.
Was this review helpful to you?
