July 2026. That drama is coming back.

TBS Sunday Theater's VIVANT became a cultural phenomenon when it aired in 2023 — a massive hit starring Masato Sakai, alongside an all-star cast including Hiroshi Abe, Fumi Nikaido, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Tori Matsuzaka. The highly anticipated sequel is finally almost here.

And the overseas filming location? Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan… where exactly is that?" — you wouldn't be alone in asking. But this country has landscapes and history that fit the world of VIVANT like a glove. We've actually been there, and we're here to walk you through the filming locations and everything that makes this place so special.

VIVANT Season 2: Azerbaijan Confirmed as Filming Location

According to TBS's official announcement, VIVANT Season 2 will air from July 2026 in the Sunday Theater slot — every Sunday at 9PM — running for two full seasons. A two-season run in that slot is exceptionally rare.

The full cast has been announced, and new footage from the Azerbaijan shoot has already been released. Filming has wrapped, and now all that's left is to wait for the July premiere.

So, What Kind of Country Is Azerbaijan?

Sometimes called the "second Dubai," Azerbaijan sits on the Caspian Sea at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Fueled by vast oil and gas reserves, the capital Baku has seen rapid development — and the result is a city where futuristic architecture and a UNESCO-listed medieval old city exist side by side. It's neither quite European nor Middle Eastern. There's a distinct atmosphere here that's hard to pin down — and that's exactly what makes it so intriguing.

Want to know more about Azerbaijan? 👉 Azerbaijan Basic Info / Azerbaijan in 3 Minutes: A Friendly Guide to a Surprisingly Fascinating Country

The Filming Locations

Icherisheher — Baku's Old City

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Icherisheher is a walled medieval city of stone streets, winding alleys, and ancient fortifications. Walking through it genuinely feels like stepping onto a movie set — and it's easy to see why the VIVANT team chose it. The tension-filled atmosphere of the drama fits perfectly here.

The Caravanserai of Sheki

In the northern city of Sheki, the historic Caravanserai was originally built as a rest stop for merchants traveling the Silk Road. The distinctive arched windows have already appeared in VIVANT's official Instagram posts, strongly hinting it plays a key role in the story.

The good news? It still operates as a hotel today, so you can actually stay there. Sitting beneath one of those arches for a photo makes for an incredible shot — we have a feeling it's about to become a very popular spot.

What's It Actually Like to Visit?

Our honest impression after visiting: way more accessible than we expected.

Baku is well-developed and safe, with a compact old city that's easy to explore on foot. Cafés and restaurants are plentiful, and English is becoming more widely spoken. The language barrier is manageable.

But what really stands out is how warmly Japanese visitors are received. "You're from Japan?!" is a phrase you'll hear a lot — and it's always said with genuine excitement. Even as a first-time visitor to an unfamiliar country, Azerbaijan has a way of making you feel right at home.

Curious about safety in Azerbaijan? 👉 Is Azerbaijan Actually Safe?
Want to know why Azerbaijanis love Japan so much? 👉 Azerbaijan Is Obsessed With Japan — And It Goes Way Beyond Anime

Season 1 Was Mongolia — So Why Azerbaijan for the Sequel?

The original VIVANT was set against the vast steppes of Mongolia — a sweeping backdrop for a story of espionage and identity on an epic scale.

For the sequel, Azerbaijan makes a different kind of sense. This is a country where European architecture, Middle Eastern culture, and Central Asian history all exist in the same frame. For an international spy thriller, few places on earth carry more visual and historical credibility.

Director Katsuo Fukuzawa has hinted that the original series was "just the prologue" — that the grand saga introduced in Season 1 was only the beginning of a much larger story. As a setting for what comes next, Azerbaijan — the crossroads of civilizations — feels like a natural choice.

Final Thoughts: VIVANT Season 2 and Azerbaijan

"So VIVANT Season 2 is set in Azerbaijan" — if that's what brought you here, we hope this gave you a sense of just how much this country has to offer.

The Caravanserai where Silk Road merchants once rested, the stone labyrinth of Baku's Old City — knowing the history and culture behind what you're watching makes every scene richer. We'll keep sharing more about Azerbaijan as VIVANT Season 2 gets closer, so if any of it sparked your curiosity, explore the rest of the site.

VIVANT Season 2 × Azerbaijan — At a Glance