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Masato Sakai Carries 5kg Script for "VIVANT" Sequel, Learns 10 Languages

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified New plan
  • The Japanese drama "VIVANT" is returning for a new season in 2026 with its original cast.
  • Lead actor Masato Sakai reportedly carried a 5kg script and learned 10 languages for the role.
  • The new season promises an expanded world and will continue the mysteries from the first season.

The highly anticipated Japanese drama "VIVANT" is set to return for a new season in 2026, bringing back its star-studded cast including Masato Sakai, Hiroshi Abe, and Kazunari Ninomiya. The upcoming season aims to build on the success of the 2023 original, which achieved a peak viewership rating of 19.6% and garnered numerous awards.

The script arrived all at once, and its nearly 5kg weight made my shoulders ache every day!

โ€” Masato SakaiDescribing the physical challenge of carrying the script for the new season of "VIVANT."

Masato Sakai, reprising his role, has reportedly taken on an immense workload for the new season. He is said to have carried a script weighing nearly 5 kilograms and learned dialogue in 10 different languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Mongolian, Cambodian, Thai, Turkish, Korean, Azerbaijani, Russian, and Hebrew. This dedication to his craft has impressed his co-stars, with Kazunari Ninomiya jokingly admitting it's hard to keep up with Sakai's intensity.

It's hard to keep up with your pace!

โ€” Kazunari NinomiyaJokingly commenting on Masato Sakai's intense dedication to his role.

Director Katsuo Fukuzawa has described Sakai as "born to be an actor," highlighting his commitment to flawless performances. The production scale for "VIVANT (2026)" has been significantly upgraded, with filming locations spanning at least three countries, including Azerbaijan. The series will utilize hundreds of LED panels to create immersive filming environments, aiming for a cinematic visual experience.

Don't underestimate me!

โ€” Masato SakaiResponding to the pressure of filming a scene without any retakes.

The new season will pick up where the first left off, with director Fukuzawa stating that the previous season was merely an introduction and the "real story is just beginning." The "red้ฅ…้ ญ" (red bun) mystery, a key plot point from the first season, is expected to be unraveled, further deepening the intrigue surrounding Sakai's character, Yosuke Nogi. The show's promotional strategy continues to be secretive, with only a poster and a teaser trailer released, fueling anticipation among fans.

The previous season was just the prologue; the real story is just beginning.

โ€” Katsuo FukuzawaHinting at the deeper narrative and mysteries to be explored in the new season of "VIVANT."
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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