The TBS Sunday drama VIVANT aired its 18th episode on September 13, 2026, and fans were thrilled to hear a lineup of major voice actors providing simultaneous interpretation audio. The surprise appearances sparked a flood of reactions on social media. Here we break down the roles and the fan responses.
What is VIVANT?
VIVANT is a spy adventure drama that first aired on TBS’s Sunday Theater slot starting July 16, 2023. The story follows Nogi Yusuke (played by Sakai Masato), an average employee at the general trading company Marubishi Corporation, who ends up in the Central Asian country of Balka after a 13 billion yen transfer error. As he tries to recover the money, he becomes entangled in a worldwide conspiracy alongside Detective Nozaki Mamoru (Abe Hiroshi) from the Metropolitan Police, and doctor Yunoki Kaoru (Nikaidou Fumi) from a global medical organization. The show won the Grand Prize for serial dramas at the Tokyo Drama Awards 2024 and multiple major awards at the 117th TV Drama Academy Awards. Its highly anticipated second season began airing two consecutive quarters on July 26, 2026.
Koyama Rikiya as Gern
Koyama Rikiya provided the simultaneous interpretation voice for Gern, the agent of Bureau member Nagano Toshihiko (played by Kohinata Fumiyo). Koyama is known for voicing Mouri Kogoro (second generation) in Detective Conan and Emiya Kiritsugu in Fate/Zero.
Following earlier appearances by Conan voice actors Hayashibara Megumi, Ootani Ikue, and Takayama Minami, this new addition had social media buzzing. Because Koyama also dubs Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland) in the drama 24, fans commented, “I can only hear Jack,” “That’s an agent voice,” and “I think of the dub more than anime.”
The official X account also highlighted the appearance: https://twitter.com/TBS_VIVANT/status/2099111855490753010?s=20
Kaida Yuko as Firza
Kaida Yuko voiced Firza, who guided Oota and Tojo in the Republic of Golbad. Kaida is known for roles like Sylvia Sherwood in SPY×FAMILY and Tsukuyo in Gintama. Given her extensive work in dubbing foreign films and dramas, fans of those genres expressed delight with comments like “I knew it immediately” and “So cool.” Fans of Mobile Suit Gundam UC (where she played Marida Cruz) also chimed in with “Marida-san!?” and “When she says ‘understood’ in her voice, I can only see Marida.”
Official X post: https://twitter.com/TBS_VIVANT/status/2099116131982491764?s=20
Takagi Wataru as Mata
Takagi Wataru, known for voicing Kojima Genta and Takagi Keiji in Detective Conan and Nijimura Okuyasu in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable, voiced Mata, a tent member introduced in season 1. As with Gern, the appearance of another Conan voice actor excited fans, with comments like “It’s basically that detective anime,” “I was expecting Takagi-san to come next,” and “I jumped for joy.” However, some viewers didn’t notice him, saying “Where was he?” “Did he appear as an actor?” “I didn’t realize,” and “I had no idea it was Mata’s voice.”
Official X post: https://twitter.com/TBS_VIVANT/status/2099113616599376028?s=20
Nakamura Yuuichi as Boruto
Nakamura Yuuichi, famous for Gojo Satoru in Jujutsu Kaisen and Kuroo Tetsurou in Haikyu!!, voiced Boruto, the leader-like figure of the strongest unit “Y2K” led by Nokoru (played by Ninomiya Kazunari). When Boruto started speaking, fans were taken aback with “Huh? Nakamura is here!?” “I almost flipped when I heard Nakamura Yuuichi in VIVANT,” and “Wait, I hear a voice!” It even trended on X. After the broadcast, Nakamura posted “awawa” and a photo of the VIVANT package-shaped pigeon senbei on his account.
Nakamura’s post: https://twitter.com/nakamuraFF11/status/2099142885983846578?s=20
Enoki Junya as Malik
Enoki Junya, known for Itadori Yuuji in Jujutsu Kaisen and Yona Basta in Mobile Suit Gundam NT, voiced Malik, Boruto’s subordinate tasked with bypassing the infrared sensors. Fans celebrated with “Enjun!?” and “I went crazy when Enoki Junya appeared.” The appearance of the Jujutsu Kaisen teacher-student pair (Gojo and Itadori) also became a topic. Since Enoki is the Japanese dub voice of Spider-Man (Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland), Marvel fans commented, “With full body tights, Enoki Junya is Spider-Man,” and “Betty Ross (Kaida Yuko), Captain America (Nakamura Yuuichi), Spider-Man (Enoki Junya) – it’s the Avengers?! Then the Endgame re-release commercial played and I laughed.”
Enoki’s post: https://twitter.com/enojunjunjun/status/2099153476358221854?s=20
Kitou Akari as Chokky
Kitou Akari, known for Kamado Nezuko in Demon Slayer and Ouma Setsuna in Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, voiced Chokky Thepanit (played by Tanapak Jonjaiper), a wealthy Thai businessman who admires Shinjo Kotaro (played by Ryusei Ryo). Kitou had appeared as a news anchor alongside Hanae Natsuki in episode 1 of season 2, but this time she appeared as a voice. Fans expressed joy with “Best,” and “I thought her part was over after the newscaster, so this is great.” During the scene where she teaches Malik how to bypass infrared sensors, comments included “Reminds me of 2.5 Dimensional Seduction” and “I’m the one thinking of Xenoblade 3.”
Official X post: https://twitter.com/TBS_VIVANT/status/2099109841377624521?s=20
Surprise Voice Actor Appearances Met with Shock and Joy
The six voice actors appearing in the simultaneous interpretation scenes became a huge topic on social media. With talents who have worked on popular anime like Detective Conan, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen, as well as dubs of foreign films and dramas, viewers commented, “Too luxurious,” “This lineup is insane,” and “The actors are already amazing, and now the voice actors too – what’s going on?”
After a break for the “Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026,” episode 19 is scheduled to air on October 4, 2026. With the rescue operation surely requiring simultaneous interpretation, fans are eagerly wondering if the voice actors will return in the next episode.
More VIVANT Content on THE TIME,
Meanwhile, TBS’s morning information program THE TIME, (weekdays 5:20 a.m.) has partnered with VIVANT, with cast members appearing as guests every Friday. On September 18 (Friday), Ryusei Ryo – who plays Shinjo, the man thought dead in a gunfight but who reappeared – and Ohm Tanapak, who plays Chokky, will appear live in the studio. Their segment is scheduled to start around 6:30 a.m. They will appear in the entertainment corner as well as the weather corner. Will the live broadcast reveal the romantic future of Shinjo and Chokky earlier than the Sunday drama? Stay tuned.
Program Information
Sunday Theater VIVANT
Broadcast: Every Sunday 21:00–21:54
Production: TBS
Staff
Director, screenplay, and producer: Fukuzawa Katsuo
Producer: Iida Kazutaka
Cast
Sakai Masato, Abe Hiroshi, Nikaidou Fumi, and others
(C) TBS
