{"rewrite":{"id":"r_b4b7b4d7d71b3926e6092065","clusterId":"c_da9b6e571fb5fe5373e7e977","slug":"vivant-young-nogu-actor-kaito-sakurai-draws-renewed-attention-ahead-of-possible-return","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"VIVANT Young Nogu Actor Kaito Sakurai Draws Renewed Attention Ahead of Possible Return","summary":"Kaito Sakurai, who played a young Yusuke Nogu in season one of the Sunday Theater drama VIVANT, is drawing renewed attention as calls grow for his return in the current second season. His profile has risen sharply since 2023 through lead roles including Aqua Hoshino in Oshi no Ko and Meguru Bachira in Blue Lock.","whyItMatters":"Three years after a brief flashback appearance, Sakurai's elevated profile makes him a prime candidate for a VIVANT return, with fans speculating on expanded roles.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eKaito Sakurai appeared in only a brief scene in VIVANT season one, playing Yusuke Nogu as a teenager in episode 5 flashbacks and in scenes recounted by Mamoru Nozaki. Viewers noted his resemblance to Masato Sakai and his portrayal of a man with amnesia searching for his own past, which left a vivid impression despite the short screen time.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSakurai, born in 2001, is the son of Mr.Children vocalist Kazutoshi Sakurai. He debuted in the 2020 morning drama Yell and has since built his profile through lead roles, including Aqua Hoshino in Oshi no Ko and Meguru Bachira in Blue Lock. Fans now speculate he could return as a hidden child of Nogon Beki or a younger brother of Nogu and Nokoru.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"Kaito Sakurai's rise since VIVANT season one makes his possible return a continuity question. If he appears again, the drama must reconcile his breakout star status with the role's flashback framing.","twitterPost":"Kaito Sakurai's possible VIVANT return hinges on whether a flashback role can hold a breakout star's new profile.","threadsPost":"Kaito Sakurai's possible VIVANT return is a casting puzzle. He played young Nogu as a bit part in season one. Since then he led Oshi no Ko and Blue Lock. If he comes back, the drama has to fit a leading man back into a flashback frame.","newsletterBlurb":"Kaito Sakurai, who played young Nogu in VIVANT season one, is drawing renewed attention as season two airs. His profile has grown sharply since 2023 through Oshi no Ko and Blue Lock, and fans are speculating on a possible return.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"Magmix\",\"url\":\"https://magmix.jp/post/371348\",\"title\":\"VIVANT: Handsome Actor (25) Who Played \\\"Young Nogu\\\" Draws Renewed Attention for Striking Resemblance - Broke Out Big in 3 Years, Will He Return in the Sequel?\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":4538,"outputTokens":604,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1788000828,"createdAt":"2026-08-29T10:45:49.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-08-29T10:46:44.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-29T10:45:49.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_da9b6e571fb5fe5373e7e977","canonicalTitle":"VIVANT　“若き日の乃木”役が異常に似てたイケメン俳優（25）に再注目　3年で大ブレイクしたが続編で再登場あるか？","representativeArticleId":"a_11061428562b8353839c21e5","sourceCount":1,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":1,"isSolo":true,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"VIVANT\"],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"other\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-08-24T12:15:00.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-08-24T12:15:00.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-29T10:46:46.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"Magmix","url":"https://magmix.jp/post/371348","title":"VIVANT　“若き日の乃木”役が異常に似てたイケメン俳優（25）に再注目　3年で大ブレイクしたが続編で再登場あるか？"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["VIVANT"],"studios":[],"people":[],"type":"news","domain":"other","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":null}