Vivant

Not your typical JP drama - the characters, the settings and plot twists kept me on my toes every episode! Went in at episode 1 expecting some mediocre story line but man by end of the episode I was intrigued. Not to mention the all-star castings - the acting is guaranteed good and apparently the show was filed in Mongolia which really has an exotic feel compared to the typical JP/KR drama on Netflix. If you like spy movies with lots of twists and turns then this is a must watch. An interesting take and a real effort from JP producers. Highly recommended. I wish there are more episodes but the length is spot on (10 epi only).

The shooting technique and camera movements are too rough. Unable to showcase the strengths of the storyline and engage the audience; the standard should not be like this. The filming technique for action suspense seems quite unskilled. The dubbing and music fail to immerse the audience and do not convey the atmosphere of the scene.

It wastes the skills of professional actors, giving the overall production a sense of wastefulness due to various unprofessional aspects.

The actors are top-notch, but the filming techniques lack immersion. Filters, camera movements, background music, and overall flow noticeably lack quality and feel awkward. It seems the director's style doesn't suit the storyline, impacting the integrity of the work. Handing it over to another director might result in a better outcome. It's a shame considering the excellent acting and storyline.

The nomad's desert scene is so beautiful and desperate, and Rachmaninov makes it even more stunning. This is a very streamlined work that many details or foreshadowing scene are just presented by some simple clips. Very clean but definitely clear enough for audience to understand. The first 4 episodes are a little flat, but it turned very captivating from episode 5 in my opinion. There were no nonsense plots from the beginning to the end. Haven't seen an impressed Japanese series for a while and the cast is no joke! All are performed so well. Love Doramu who always repeated the last words. So cute!

Vivant, the 2023 Japanese TV series on Netflix, is nothing short of a masterpiece. Its captivating storyline, stellar performances, and impeccable cinematography make it a must-watch. The series effortlessly weaves together drama, suspense, and cultural nuances, creating a truly immersive experience. Vivant stands out as a shining example of top-tier entertainment, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating each episode. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a brilliant and emotionally resonant television journey. I hope they will make this type of series in the nearest future so the whole world could enjoy it.

The best Japanese series on Netflix. Magnificent landscapes in the desert and in Mongolia, a scenario full of twists and turns that are sometimes far-fetched but we get caught up in following the story. Very good actors. A production with nods to Kurosawa, Hiroshi Abe who plays Nozaki seems the reincarnation of Toshiro Mifune, Beki seems to be a character from Ran and the Japanese ambassador is filmed in a close-up at the end like a Kurosawa heroine. The other characters are just as interesting and even the love story between Yusuke and Kaoru seems a necessary part of Asian series. Despite the criticism, I find that the script holds up, the direction and the photography are excellent. When is season 2?