After VIVANT Ep. 18: Storming the Fortress of Shaki Castle! The Strongest Team Assembles for 'Everyone's Survival'

"The goal is everyone's survival"!

To rescue five members of the Bekkan (Special Unit) held captive in Shaki Castle in the Republic of Gorbado, Yunosuke Nogi (Masato Sakai), leader of the unofficial organization directly under the Self-Defense Forces, has sprung into action. He gathers allies who transcend national and organizational boundaries, including his brother-in-law Nokoru (Kazunari Ninomiya). Determined to overturn the ruthless decision made against the five captives, Nogi conveys his resolve to Rimi Sakurai (Ryoko Kimura), the supreme commander of the Bekkan.

In Episode 18, which served as the finale of the first half, Sakurai agrees to postpone the execution of the poisoning plan after hearing Nogi's proposal. Nogi heads to Azerbaijan, fully launching the operation to recapture the Bekkan members.

Meanwhile, at "Xinxi" (the Chinese branch of the Bekkan), Liu Mingxuan (played by Masato Sakai in a triple role) reaches out to Mamoru Nozaki (Hiroshi Abe) of the Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau, Foreign Affairs Division 4. However, his actions have another motive... In this episode of "After VIVANT," we look back on Episode 18, where the operations of Nogi's team and Xinxi suddenly accelerate.

Heading to Azerbaijan with the Bond of "Family"

"You risked your life to aim for the destruction of 'Tent' (a dismantled international terrorist organization), and now 'Tent' is risking their lives to cooperate with you. I feel some kind of divine fate." Upon hearing Nogi's resolve, which included risking his own life, Sakurai postponed the execution of the poisoning of the five Bekkan members until 6 PM local time on June 10.

The time remaining for Nogi and his team was 229 hours.

Sakurai authorized the use of satellites, automatic translators, and contact with local Bekkan members. She also specially permitted overseas travel for Tai Ota, a genius hacker known as "Blue Walker" (Sumire Hanaoka), currently out on bail. She promised to ask Director Yuutaro Sano (Yajuro Bando) of the Public Security Bureau to allow Shohta Tojo (Gaku Hamada) from the Cyber Crime Countermeasures Division to accompany them. However, no further extensions would be granted.

Before leaving Japan, Kaoru Yunoki (Fumi Nikaido), Nogi's lover and a doctor, noticed a change in him. "You might have been alone before, but Mr. Nogi isn't alone anymore." Hearing these words, Nogi took unexpected action. Jamine (Sae Honma), the daughter of Adiel (Tsaschiher Khatanzorig), Nogi's late benefactor who was present, was overjoyed! Even Kaoru hadn't anticipated that move. Viewers commented that it was "healing."

Sent off by his precious "family," Nogi arrived in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. He instantly received a note from a person he passed on a long escalator in the subway, prompting voices of surprise like "That's god-tier skill." After reading it, the note turned to sand and disappeared in his hand. He then headed to a designated bookstore, where he met up with Kumiko Tashiro (Rei Yamada), a Bekkan member responsible for the Caucasus region, in a hidden room. Tashiro entrusted Nogi with data on Gorbado and Shaki Castle, sending him off with, "We will provide rear support, but we will do our best."

How will the person Nogi passed in the subway, and the silent bookstore owner who led him inside, be involved in the rescue operation? Many gears had already begun turning in the streets of Baku.

Those Who Gather Beyond Nations and Organizations in Balka

Nogi proceeded to the Republic of Balka. Nokoru had assembled 11 elites from "PMSC Y2K," a private military company established by "Tent." Led by Bolt (Torui Nozaki), they possessed distinct abilities such as driving, close-quarters combat, and sniping.

Also joining the operation was Chokky Thapanit (Ohm-Tanapak), a famous Thai businessman and monitor (collaborator) for Tent. Holding a grudge against Nogi for causing him to lose his villa and his beloved "Shin-chan," Chokky flew into a rage upon seeing Nogi's "soy sauce face." Just as he was about to leave, a voice called out, "I came all this way, and you're leaving?"

It was Shin-chan—Shintaro Shinjo (Ryo Ryusei), a former intelligence agent and monitor from the Public Security Bureau who was supposed to be dead! "Why are you alive?" Chokky excitedly touched him repeatedly amidst the chaos (lol). The mechanism involving Nogi and Agent Gelun (Pattarapol Kantapoj), an operative of Bekkan member Toshihiko Nagano (Fumio Kohinata), is truly characteristic of VIVANT, but we'll keep the details vague here.

What connects the team of different nationalities and languages is the Bekkan's automatic translator. Akari Kito provides the Japanese voice for Chokky's audio, Rikiya Koyama for Gelun, Yuko Kaida for Firza, Yuichi Nakamura for Bolt of Y2K, Wataru Takagi for Caishan and Kara, and Junya Enoki for Malik and Tengger of Y2K. A star-studded cast of voice actors participates, so keep an eye on the "voice" lineup going forward.

With the cast assembled, the goal is the survival of all five Bekkan members! However, there are five major hurdles to the rescue: the time limit, entry and exit, bringing in firearms, ammunition, and other equipment, and storming Shaki Castle.

Only one road leads to the castle, passing through Orko Village. Local agent Romal (Shahriyar Abilov)'s investigation revealed that the entire village acts as a "watchman" for the castle. It is truly a "natural fortress impregnable to attack." While Chokky's private jet will be used for entry and exit, Nogi and Shinjo, whose faces are known to Xinxi, cannot use airports and must enter via a separate route with weapons.

"So, big brother, you'll carry my rifle on a fishing boat?" ...Here it is revealed that Nokoru will also join the fight! Against Nogi's objections, Nokoru declares, "I am happy to throw my life away for you, big brother. Isn't that fine?" In fact, he was trained in combat arts alongside Adiel by his father, Nogoon Beki (Koji Yakusho), the former leader of Tent, and taught long-range sniping by his aide Piyo (Mitsuo Yoshihara). He is one of Y2K's top snipers. The flashback depicting his origins features Beki as well. This is not to be missed.

Next, the group proceeds to assault training using a mock-up reproducing Shaki Castle. The basis was images secretly filmed by Gazimov (Gurban Ahmadov), the cafeteria owner, while delivering meals. Chokky joins Malik (Fuma Teoi), who struggles with infrared sensors! His movements are better seen than explained. Encouraging voices like "Don't mind" reach the dejected Malik. Enoki Junya provides the Japanese voice for Malik.

Shinjo's appearance drew cheers like "He's alive!" and "Welcome back!" Congratulations poured in for Chokky as well. On the live radio show VIVANT Villain Conference Room broadcast after the episode, Shinjo himself appeared in an apology video. Furthermore, Suzuki Sho (Kenta Uchida), a Xinxi operative infiltrating the Public Security Bureau, was a guest... or so it seemed, but his true identity was "AI Suzuki"!? Toward the end, there was ominous news that "the CTP president has been detained." The watch party Morning Assembly!! Villain Conference Room, looking back on the first half, promises nothing but turmoil.

To Gorbado. Behind Psychological Warfare, the Rescue Operation Moves

While Nogi and his team prepared for the rescue, another operation was underway at Xinxi.

Nozaki had gone nine days without food or drink. The harassment by Shin Junyu (Shungo Takasaki), a server known online as "Food Loss Bro," continued unabated. It was Liu who reached out to the weakened Nozaki. He desperately cared for him, but when Linxing Han (Kyoko Miyashita) heard his stated motive, her perception changed completely. "Ultimate love drives people mad." Viewers buzzed over this precarious "love."

At a rear base near the Gorbado border, Firza (Gulnar Yunusova), working for a Japanese company's local subsidiary, welcomed Ota and Tojo and handed them automatic translators. She was the person Nogi passed in the subway. Firza infiltrated a management facility in the Lumo District of Gorbado. She planted transmitters given by Ota and Tojo into electrical panels. Preparations were steadily advancing not just on the front lines, but in communications as well.

At 23:00 local time on June 6, Chokky's private jet arrived at Galaman Airport. Chokky, Nokoru, Gelun, and Y2K elites disguised as survey workers landed in Gorbado.

The next day at 9:00 on the 7th, Nogi and Shinjo arrived at Alof Fishing Port dressed as fishermen. Covering weapons with sardines, they boarded a truck driven by Natik (Ruslan Huseynov), the bookstore owner from Baku. They slipped past checkpoints and headed straight to the assembly point, Ishik Power Plant. From the air, from land, and from communication networks—the operation staking everything on everyone's survival had begun locally.

Carrying the Heat of the First Half to the Second! Producer Iida Discusses Various Tricks and a "Big Surprise"

The strongest team, Nogi and his allies, finally moved toward rescuing the Bekkan members. Episode 18, marking the end of the first half, closed as the operation commenced. We spoke with producer Kazutaka Iida about behind-the-scenes stories and reactions.

Thank you so much for watching the first half. I am truly experiencing an unprecedented level of enthusiasm from viewers, whether through SNS reactions, comments, merchandise, streaming, participation in spin-off content, or regional interest. As production staff, there is no greater happiness. Once again, the entire staff and cast express our heartfelt gratitude.

For Season 2, we wanted viewers to feel closer to VIVANT, so we implemented various initiatives. Pre-broadcast campaigns like the spoiler train, and post-broadcast corporate collaborations starting with Suntory, delivered a "VIVANT you can hold." We will continue to roll out new collaborations.

And finally, VIVANT IMMERSIVE MISSION, the culmination of "VIVANT you can experience," started on September 16. You receive instructions from characters' voices, sometimes getting scolded, while completing missions and taking aptitude tests. I tried it myself recently, and apparently, I'm not suited for the Bekkan (lol). Besides the missions, sets actually used in filming and performed by the cast have been relocated, allowing visitors to experience them firsthand. Many art pieces are also displayed; please see the artistic power of TBS Art.

By the way, the creative team for this event, Kamachi Kaya, was introduced to me last March through an acquaintance. The proposal I saw then already contained the prototype for the Immersive Mission. It merged with a project planned by TBS Live Entertainment Division for the same venue, leading to this collaboration. Everyone involved is overflowing with love for VIVANT, and because they initiated the event, you will feel the meticulousness and heartfelt direction. Please visit during this hiatus period to immerse yourself even more in the second half.

Also, don't miss the "Chinggis Chapter" of VIVANT THE ORIGIN STORY, streaming on U-NEXT starting tomorrow, September 20. It depicts the era when Nogoon Beki grew up in an orphanage, an episode revealed in Season 1. It contains episodes closely connected to the second half, so please watch it to enhance your viewing of the upcoming episodes!

Furthermore, the collaborative event with TBS Sports held at Shinjuku Triangle Plaza starting today, September 19, is recommended! There are treasure hunts enjoyable for children, so if you haven't decided on plans for Golden Week, please come along!

Once again, I want to convey my gratitude to everyone who loves VIVANT. I hope you will stick with us for the second half! With six episodes left until the finale on November 8, emotions will surge like a roller coaster, and there are about five big surprises larger than those in the first half (lol). Please experience the various initiatives during this period, and I hope to see you in front of your TVs again at 9 PM on October 4! Until then, enjoy the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya, where Nokoru serves as the TBS Special Ambassador!

Preparations are complete. The operation to recapture the five Bekkan members moves into actual combat. The storming of Shaki Castle and the psychological warfare continuing at Xinxi. From here on, not even a moment's delay is allowed. A "major announcement" was made at the end of Episode 18. Episode 19 airs at 9 PM on October 4. Who will make the next move?