Although Japanese manga and anime have become famous all over the world for years and many people call some of the great authors (Mangakas), the world of Japanese movies and dramas is not so well known. Maybe because it's been a pretty closed world until now and focused specifically on the Japanese audience.
Even if Japan has good actors who are very famous in their country, if I ask you to name a Japanese actor, probably everyone will just say Watanabe Ken 😂 So today I want to introduce some of the best Japanese actors from my point of view! ! In Japan, idols, both female and male, are usually trained from a young age to be able to do a variety of things: singing, acting, dancing, etc. On this list there will be some idols that I particularly like as an actor and also some that are only focused on acting. So let's start!
Haruma Miura
One of the better known names, although less active on television in recent years, isMiura Haruma. Born on April 5, 1990, he enrolled in a studio since childhood and debuted at the age of seven. Later, while in his studio, he joined one of the biggest talent agencies in Japan, Amuse. He directed several dramas that gained him popularity, but he rose to fame in 2007 after playing the male lead in the movie Koizora. He has also done plays, mostly in the year 2019. For anime fans, he has signed on to play Eren in Live Action.
On July 18, 2020, Miura Haruma was found dead in his home. Police believe he committed suicide. He was young and very talented and his death is a shame.
Sato Takeru
Takeru SatoHe is in the same agency as Haruma Miura, Amuse and they are good friends. Born in 1989, he only made his television debut in 2006. He landed several roles, including one in the drama Bloody Monday alongside his friend Miura. However, he was always overshadowed by other actors more famous than him. His rise to fame came after he was chosen to play Kenshin Himura in the legendary live-action manga Ruroni Kenshin.
Tomohisa Yamashita
I already told you about itTomohisa Yamashita, also known as Yamapi, actor, singer and dancer from Johnny's Entertainment when I talked about Japanese male idols. As an actor, his popularity rose after the famous drama Nobuta wo Produce, in which he played Kusano Akira. The drama became one of the most popular in Japan and his character was very charismatic and people loved it thanks to Yamashita's acting.
Recently, he has also become very popular with the drama Code Blue, in which he plays the talented doctor Aizawa Sensei. Code Blue is one of the most famous dramas of recent years and has 3 seasons and 2 movies.
But I also wanted to add it to this list because Yamashita recently became the first from his company to work on an internationally produced series, which led him to shoot in Spain for three months and then in Ireland. This series is being produced by the same people who made "La casa de papel" world famous, and is sure to bring Yamashita to international fame when it debuts. You'll probably see it on your TV soon! It is now also popular in other countries, but only among J-Pop and Japanese pop culture lovers.
The series was created in collaboration with Hulu Japan and can be found on that platform (as the series was created internationally, it is in English even though the platform is Japanese). Try Hulu's one-month free trial to discover this series and more!
Ryosuke Yamada
born in 1993,Ryosuke Yamadais part of Johnny and is a member of Hey! To say! JUMP, one of the most famous in recent years. But today I want to talk about him as an actor, I think he has a lot of acting skills and this is one of his strong points besides dancing. And probably the proof is that he has a lot more acting jobs compared to the other members of his group. He debuted in Rantei Gakuen in 2006 and hasn't stopped starring in various dramas and movies since then. One of his most notable last roles is that of Edward Elric in the anime series Fullmetal Alchemist, produced by Netflix.
Fukushi Sota
Fukushi Sotais one of the new faces of Japanese television. He was born in 1993. He is part of the Ken-On agency and made his first debut in both soap operas and cinema in 2011. At just 9 years old, he already has a good repertoire of films and dramas in his curriculum, with very diverse characters. One of his most popular movies is probably Strobe Edge, based on a shojo manga of the same name.
Oguri Shun
Although not as popular today,Oguri ShunHe was one of Japan's big names for a few years and today the whole world still knows his name. He was born in 1982 and started his acting career at the age of 11 in a children's theater. It wasn't until two years later, at the age of 13, that she made her first television debut. Fame came early, in 1998, but Shun chose to focus on his studies. However, a year later, she finally decided to fully dedicate herself to the acting world and dropped out of high school. He played several popular roles, but it wasn't until 2005 that he finally found fame with his portrayal of Hanazawa Rui in the drama Hana Yori Dango. Hana Yori Dango was one of the most famous dramas of all time and fans really loved the role of Hanazawa Rui. Afterwards, Oguri decided to play different roles to avoid being mistaken for the prince's role.
Kenshi-Matsuyama
I'm sure some of you have seen it.Matsuyama Kenshi (matsuyama Kenichi), even if you don't know his name. He is the one who played the main character Wakatabe Toru in the film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's novel Norwegian Wood. He won the Nikon Sports Film Award for Best Actor in 2010 for his performance in this film.
And those of you who are manga and anime fans have seen this before: he was responsible for bringing the charismatic L to life in the live-action Death Note.
Mizushima Hiro
as Oguri Shun,Mizushima HiroIt's actually not that popular. But this is also due to a personal decision, because at the height of his career he decided to leave his acting career to take care of his sick wife and later his daughter. She was born in Tokyo in 1984 but lived in Switzerland from age 6 to 12 and is therefore fluent in English. His first acting career was in 2004, and in 2009, he appeared in several movies and dramas that made him famous. But in 2009 he married Japanese singer Ayaka and left his agency Ken-on in 2010. In addition to worrying about his family, he also said he wants to pursue a writing career. As a writer, he uses his real name Saito Tomohiro.
She recently opened a YouTube channel where she teaches recipes for making traditional Japanese dishes at home.
To learn more about Japanese movies and music, here are some more articles for you to check out!
3 popular Japanese male idol bands Top 3 JPOP boy bands in Japan jw-webmagazine.com
Top 5 Japanese TV Dramas for Beginners Guide to Japanese TV Dramas - Best Japanese TV Dramas to Watch jw-webmagazine.com
The Best Japanese Live Action Anime Movies jw-webmagazine.com
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FAQs
Who is the most famous Japan actor? ›
Hidetoshi Nishijima, one of Japan's top actors, was born on March 29th, 1971. He has starred in everything from blockbuster fiction to indie art films. He won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Actor in 2021 for his leading role in the highly acclaimed film Drive My Car.
Who is the handsome actor in Japan? ›Sota Fukushi is one of the hottest and best Japanese actors that gained fame by portraying Gentaro Kisaragi in Kamen Rider Fourze. Since then, the actor has participated in numerous movies and TV shows. Sota Fukushi has been active in the Japanese movie industry since 2011.
Who is famous Japanese actress? ›Japanese actress Kuniko Ishigami is known by her stage name Satomi Ishihara. She hails from Tokyo. At the age of 17, Satomi made her acting debut in the drama Kimi wa Petto. Reina made her singing debut as a featured performer on Rocketman's song “Love Disco.” She is one of the most beautiful Japanese actresses.
Who is the most popular foreign celebrities in Japan? ›Taehyung remains the most popular Foreign celebrity and soloist in Japan as he ranked 3rd for the month of July 2021 Twipple Trends Celebrity Ranking Japan and for the 19th consecutive month and he remains: - Top of Solo Artist on Ranking.
Is Japan wealthy or poor? ›It is the third-largest in the world by nominal GDP and the fourth-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). It is the world's second-largest developed economy. Japan is a member of both the G7 and G20. According to the World Bank, the country's per capita GDP (PPP) was at $49,000 (2022).
Is Hollywood popular in Japan? ›Hollywood no longer dominates box office in the third-largest market in the world. A decade ago, foreign films released in Japan grabbed a 67% market share ($1.4 billion gross), but that percentage fell to 34.3% ($689 million) in 2012 — the fifth straight year foreign films failed to cross the 50% line.
What celebrities are famous in Japan? ›- Eita.
- Kamakari Kenta.
- Fujiwara Tatsuya.
- Ikuta Toma.
- Matsudaira Ken.
- Oguri Shun.
- Ryuhei Matsuda.
- Sato Takeru.
- Hrithik Roshan.
- Kim Tae-Hyung.
- Tom Holland.
- David Beckham.
- Idris Elba.
- Justin Trudeau.
- Bradley Cooper.
- Zac Efron.
According to a survey conducted by the Nippon Research Center from October to November 2020, Kumamon was the most popular character among people in Japan.
What is the prettiest Japanese name? ›- Akari | 丹李 Keen to explore the world? ...
- Junya | 純也 Junya, a name for boys, combines the kanji for “purity” with ya, a character often used for phonetic purposes in given names.
- Saeko | 紗子 ...
- Itsuki | 一喜 ...
- Sora | 天 ...
- Hana | 初夏 ...
- Kaito | 海人 ...
- Sayo | 沙世
Are any American shows popular in Japan? ›
In Japan, U.S. TV shows are popular, with even long-running hits such as "Columbo" still garnering viewers.
Who's famous in Tokyo? ›- Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki is responsible for bringing dreams to life and joy to millions around the world through his fantastical animations. ...
- Marie Kondo. ...
- Keiichi Tanaami. ...
- Akira Kurosawa. ...
- Yukio Mishima. ...
- Takeshi Kitano. ...
- Olivia de Havilland.
Lastly, homeless people may also be those who live in unconventional properties such as caravans and camper trailers. However, what is certain is that Japan is the only country in the world with a homeless population rate of around 0%.
How tall do you have to be to model in Japan? ›When it comes to physical requirements for fashion models, Japanese modeling agencies also tend to be a bit more realistic. For example, males can get hired if they're 5'10” or 5'11” and women can be 5'6” or 5'7” and land representation at most agencies.
Who is richer Japan or USA? ›Clear-speak: The average Japanese is actually about 40% richer than the average American. So Japan clearly beats America on the absolute amount of wealth owned by the average household.
What is the number 1 movie in Japan? ›Japan is known for everything from onsen hot springs and kabuki baths (dating to the 6th and 16th centuries, respectively) to all-night neon-lit dance parties, anime, and sushi boat restaurants, all of which are decidedly more modern.
Where is Japan most popular? ›...
Most visited prefectures among international visitors to Japan in 2020, based on visiting rate.
The first generation of animators in the late 1910s included Ōten Shimokawa, Jun'ichi Kōuchi and Seitaro Kitayama, commonly referred to as the "fathers" of anime.
What job is famous in Japan? ›Engineer. Aside from tech, Japan is also well-known for having an advanced engineering industry, and the jobs in this field pay incredibly well. The average salary for engineering jobs in Japan is usually about ¥7.07M a year, and this can be even higher as you gain more experience in the field.
Who is the hottest man in the world 2023? ›
- Kim Taehyung (BTS- V) Kim Taehyung is a well-known singer, composer, and actor from South Korea. ...
- Robert Pattinson. Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Edward in Twilight propelled him to prominence. ...
- Hrithik Roshan. ...
- Omar Borkan Al Gala. ...
- Brad Pitt. ...
- Idris Elba. ...
- Paul Rudd. ...
- David Beckham.
1. Brazil. The titles of Mister World, Mister Global, and 2 victories in Mister International all belong to Brazilian men. It seems that this hot country is the motherland of the "hottest" men.
Which country has handsome men? ›Brazil: Brazil is well-known for its 'beautiful' men, in addition to its coffee and television soap operas. The country is endowed with unrivalled male looks. With their amazing toned physique, almond-coloured tans, and nice dressing, these men are gorgeous, hot, handsome and profoundly attractive.
Who has the most handsome face according to science? ›Bridgerton actor Rege-Jean Page has been deemed the most handsome man in the world, according to science. The 34-year-actor who played Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings in the period drama was analysed against ancient scientific research and the results proved his face was a real money-maker, reported metro.uk.
How do I know if I am handsome or not? ›You are handsome if random people compliment your look (especially your facial features), check you out multiple times, are nice to you for no particular reason, act awkward or shy around you, or find ways to spend more time with you.
What makes a man look handsome? ›Having smooth, healthy and youthful skin definitely contributes to a man's overall attractiveness. But even when your skin is a perfect 10/10, people might still have a hard time pinpointing why you look so good. On the flip side, when your skin isn't a perfect 10, it's a lot more obvious—and a lot harder to correct.
What is considered beauty in Japan? ›What are the common modern Japanese beauty standards? Modern Japanese beauty standards tend toward light, flawless skin, a slim, petite figure, slender legs, and a quiet personality—although those “standards” change over time and may be largely ignored by future generations.
Can an American be a model in Japan? ›Any foreigner who is legally allowed to work in Japan can become a freelance model/actor. You can be any age, have any appearance, and have any amount of past experience — it's open to everyone! With this contract, you are free to sign up with as many agencies as you would like, or even find work on your own.
Who is the most beautiful models in the world? ›The most beautiful, scientifically proven face we have is of Bella Hadid. The American supermodel possesses 94.35% accurate features. In a short span, the 26 years old model has made 27 appearances on the Vogue magazine covers internationally. She was voted the Model of the year in 2016.
Who is the most loved anime character? ›- No. 1 Goku (Dragon Ball Z)
- No. 2 Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)
- No. 3 Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)
- No. 4 Kakashi Hatake (Naruto)
- No. 5 Saitama (One Punch Man)
- No. 6 Isaac Netero (Hunter X Hunter)
- No. 7 Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
- No. 8 Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)
Does Japan have celebrities? ›
Television personalities in Japan, known as tarento (タレント, derived from English talent) in Japanese, are celebrities who regularly appear in mass media in Japan, especially as panelists on variety shows.
Who are the 3 most important people in Japan? ›- Oda Nobunaga. Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) ...
- Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) Hideyoshi began his military career as the sandal-bearer to Oda Nobunaga. ...
- Tokugawa Ieyasu. Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616)
American culture in Japan has become increasingly popular over the years. Japan has embraced brands, snacks and attractions, but originally the love for American culture came from Hollywood.
Do Japanese like American cartoons? ›There are definitely fans of Western animation in Japan, and how the fans act and their reasons for doing so are vastly, vastly different from Western fans of Japanese animation.
Who watches more anime America or Japan? ›In the United States, approximately 72 percent of people watch anime regularly. This means that the United States has a greater number of total people who watch anime shows than Japan, but Japan has a higher percentage of its population that watches anime overall.
How many years old is Japan? ›6. Japan: 15 Million Years Old. Japan's first emperor, Jimmu, is reportedly the founder of this country. Japan came into existence in 660 B.C. Buddhism impacted Japanese culture to a large extent, if we go by historical records.
Where do most celebrities live in Tokyo? ›The phrase "Inside the Yamanote Line" gives Japanese people the immediate image of wealth, a place where celebrities live, and a prime location within Central Tokyo.
Why is Tokyo so popular in Japan? ›Tokyo is quite literally at the very center of everything in Japan. It boasts a nationwide transport network, countless great shops and restaurants, world-famous tourist attractions, refreshing natural spots, and much more.
Who is the largest Japanese person? ›shogun in British English
1. (from 794 ad) a chief military commander. 2. (from about 1192 to 1867) any of a line of hereditary military dictators who relegated the emperors to a position of purely theoretical supremacy.
Who is Japan's national hero? ›
Sakamoto Ryōma (坂本龍馬, 3 January 1836 – 10 December 1867) was a Japanese samurai, a shishi and influential figure of the Bakumatsu and establishment of the Empire of Japan in the late Edo period.
Who is the most famous person in Japan right now? ›Among them is Yoko Ono, “possibly the most famous Japanese person in the world.” If fame is name recognition, she could very well be that.
Who is the coolest anime boy? ›- Levi Ackerman — Attack on Titan.
- Kakashi Hatake — Naruto.
- Itachi Uchiha — Naruto.
- L — Death Note.
- Ken Kaneki — Tokyo Ghoul.
- Karma Akabane – Assassination Classroom.
- Katsuki Bakugou – My Hero Academia.
- Killua Zaoldyeck – Hunter X Hunter.
Japan is known for everything from onsen hot springs and kabuki baths (dating to the 6th and 16th centuries, respectively) to all-night neon-lit dance parties, anime, and sushi boat restaurants, all of which are decidedly more modern.
Why is Japan so famous in the world? ›Japan is known worldwide for its traditional arts, including tea ceremonies, calligraphy and flower arranging. The country has a legacy of distinctive gardens, sculpture and poetry. Japan is home to more than a dozen UNESCO World Heritage sites and is the birthplace of sushi, one of its most famous culinary exports.
What is Japan's national food? ›Japan. In Japan, Katsudon is called the national dish, which is a popular Japanese rice bowl topped with pork cutlet, eggs and vegetables.
Who is Japan's US leader? ›Fumio Kishida is the current prime minister of Japan, replacing Yoshihide Suga on 4 October 2021. As of 8 February 2023, there have been 102 prime ministers.
Is Japan a free country? ›G Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights
Property rights are generally respected. People are free to establish private businesses, although Japan's economy is heavily regulated. While personal social freedoms are mostly protected, there are some limitations.