VIVANT Season 2 sees high ratings amid concerns over plot complexity

The second season of the TBS drama series "VIVANT," starring Masato Sakai, has seen a strong start with the premiere recording an 18.8% viewership rating in the Kanto region. However, despite the high ratings and significant production costs—estimated at approximately 120 million yen per episode—some concerns have emerged within TBS.

Internal critics suggest that the heavy use of complex plotlines and excessive exposition, such as using an AI character to explain settings, may be diminishing viewer immersion. This has led to some negative reactions on social media, with some users indicating they have stopped watching.

Meanwhile, plot developments in the 13th episode have sparked intense discussion regarding character loyalty, specifically focusing on the character Nozaki, played by Hiroshi Abe. Fans are debating whether his apparent betrayal is genuine or a strategic move, noting that visual cues in promotional materials may have hinted at his role.