Japanese drama VIVANT season 2 adds Thai actor amid evolving hero archetypes

The second season of TBS’s drama VIVANT begins on 26 July and will run for two consecutive cour. Returning stars include Masato Sakai, Hiroshi Abe and Fumi Nikaido. The cast is expanded with Tanapak Jongjaiphar, a 28‑year‑old Thai actor and musician known as “OHM”, who appeared in the BL series I Will Knock You (2022) and the Netflix hit Mad Unicorn (2025). Broadcasters say the choice reflects the growing popularity of Southeast Asian talent and aims to boost the series’ overseas appeal.

In parallel, three Japanese entertainment insiders – a drama producer, a poet‑author and a cultural writer – discuss how modern audiences now prefer heroes who show personal growth, vulnerability and social relevance. They cite VIVANT’s protagonist Nogiz Yusuke as an example of a “story‑driven hero” whose complex back‑story resonates with viewers, signalling a shift from classic, idealised heroes to more nuanced, relatable figures.