TBS’s Sunday drama slot is gearing up for the July 26 premiere of “VIVANT” Season 2, and the show’s official Instagram account has already given fans a jolt. A newly shared image reintroduced Yamamoto Takumi, the mole character played by actor Takaya Sakoda (迫田孝也), whose apparent death closed out the first season three years ago.
The photo, posted to the “@tbs_vivant” Instagram account, shows Sakoda in character as Yamamoto. Since the character was killed off at the end of the 2023 season, the reappearance immediately drew a wave of surprised reactions online, with fans questioning whether Yamamoto is somehow still alive.
In the original “VIVANT,” Yamamoto was introduced as a section chief in the energy division of the fictional trading company Marubishi Corporation and a supportive colleague of protagonist Nogi Yusuke, played by Masato Sakai. As the story unfolded, however, Yamamoto was revealed to be a “Monitor,” secretly working with a terrorist organization out of resentment toward Japan, and coercing a hacker into aiding the plot. He was ultimately killed by Nogi and fellow character Kurosu Shun, played by Tori Matsusaka, before the first season ended.
Sakoda’s performance as the story’s chief double-crosser was widely praised at the time and became one of the defining talking points of the 2023 broadcast. That history is fueling much of the online reaction to the new post, with some viewers speculating that Yamamoto’s death may not have been what it seemed, while others assume the image is simply a promotional flashback rather than confirmation of a comeback.
“VIVANT” Season 2 will mark a rare format for TBS’s Sunday drama series, airing across two consecutive broadcast cours instead of the usual single run. Along with returning cast members, the production has been rolling out new cast announcements, key visuals and promotional events in the lead-up to the premiere. Details about how, or whether, Yamamoto factors into the new season have not been disclosed, and TBS has not commented further on the post.
Who is Takaya Sakoda?
Takaya Sakoda (迫田孝也) is a Japanese actor known for his television and stage work. He gained wide recognition for his role as Yamamoto Takumi in the original “VIVANT,” a performance that stood out for its shift from a seemingly trustworthy colleague to the story’s central saboteur, drawing significant attention on social media during the 2023 broadcast.
With “VIVANT” Season 2 set to premiere on July 26, fans will have to wait for the broadcast itself to learn whether Sakoda’s character has any further role to play, or whether the new post is simply a nostalgic nod to one of the original series’ most talked-about twists.
