Japan cinema history covers hundred successful years. Japan is said to have one of the oldest and largest film industry. It was also ranked fourth in production of feature films. Movies were started in Japan back in 1897.
Japan has also won four Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Film, highest in Asia. The actors of Japan are also known for their acting both in Japan and worldwide. They have been featured in various national and international films and gave commendable performances.
Ryuhei Matsuda
About:
Ryuhei Matsuda is one of the niftiest and attractive actors in Japan. His father was also a Japanese actor.
He played roles in almost 40 films over his acting career of 13 years. He made his debut at the age of fifteen in 1999 by playing a role in a film name Taboo and notified the public about his talent.
This film also led him to won several awards including the award for the best actor. From that day onward, he has played a variety of roles in various films and dramas.
Movies:
Gohatto (Taboo) (1999)
Shibito no koiwazurai (2001)
Hashire! Ichiro (2001)
Aoi Haru (Blue Spring) (2002)
Collage of Our Life (2003)
17 sai (Seventeen) (2003)
9 Souls (2003)
Hachigatsu no Kariyushi (2003)
Showa Kayo Daizenshu (2003)
Cutie Honey (2004)
IZO (2004)
Koi no Mon (2004)
Yasha no Ike (2004)
NANA (2005)
Gimmy-Heaven (2005)
Ranpo Jigoku (2005)
46 okunen no Koi (Big Bang Love, Juvenile A) (2006)
Akumu Tantei (Nightmare Detective) (2007)
Chōshū Five (2007)
Nightmare Detective 2 (2008)
Mt. Tsurugidake (2009)
The Cannery Ship (Kanikosen) (2009)
Hagetaka: The Movie (The Vulture) (2009)
Boys on the Run (2010)
Tantei wa Bar ni Iru (2011)
Tada’s Do-It-All House (2011)
The Great Passage (2013)
Mugiko-san to (2013)
The Raid 2 (2014)
Jinuyo Saraba: Kamuroba Mura e (2015)
The Magnificent Nine (2016)
Boku no Ojisan (2016)
Fun Facts:
He decided to drop out from school and started acting
He did a full time two months training for a role in his first film
His younger sister is a leading vocalist of a rock band
He was born on Monday and his stone is Emerald
According to Chinese calendar, he was born in year of Pig
Satoshi Tsumabuki
About:
Satoshi Tsumabuki is a famous actor in Japan. He was born in Fukuoka, Japan and made started his entertainment career with modeling. He appeared for the first time on the teen magazine, Street News, in 1998.
He won the acting reality show named Star Audition in which 3 million people contested alongside. He made his career debut with a TV drama Subarahii Hibi in 1998. The film Waterboys released in 2001 rose him to new heights of fame as an actor.
He also won newcomer of the year award for the performance. He then gave spell bounding performances in the various film including Tokyo! and Dororo.
Movies:
Nazo no Tenkousei (1998)
Great Teacher Onizuka (1999)
Tomie: Re-birth (2001)
Waterboys (2001)
Sabu (2002)
Jam Films – Justice (2002)
Sayonara Kuro (2003)
Dragon Head (2003)
Josee, the Tiger and the (2003)
A Day on the Planet (2004)
69 sixty nine (2004)
Thirty Lies or So (2004)
Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific Ocean (2005)
Yaji and Kita: The Midnight Pilgrims (2005)
Spring Snow (2005)
It’s Only Talk (2005)
Tetsujin 28: The Movie (2005)
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
Tears for you (2006)
Dororo (2007)
Kayōkyoku dayo jinsei wa (2007)
Welcome to the Quiet Room (2007)
Tokyo! (2008)
The Magic Hour (2008)
Children in the Dark (2008)
Paco and the Magical Book (2008)
School Days with a Pig (2008)
Pandemic (2009)
Boat (2009)
Villon’s Wife (2009)
Surely Someday (2010)
Villain (2010)
My Back Pages (2011)
Smuggler (2011)
Fly with the gold (2012)
Ai to Makoto (2012)
Tōkyō Kazoku (2013)
The Kiyosu Conference (2013)
Judge! (2014)
Bokutachi no Kazoku (2014)
The World of Kanako (2014)
The Little House (2014)
Stand by Me Doraemon (2014)
The Vancouver Asahi (2014)
Lady Maiko (2014)
The Assassin (2015)
What a Wonderful Family! (2016)
The Magnificent Nine (2016)
Anger (2016)
Fun Facts:
His nick name is Bucky
He is a moving lover and formed a music band named Basking Life in 1999
He took part in charity by Kee in 2006 for Asian victims of Tsunami disaster
Shun Oguri
About:
Shun Oguri is a famous actor.
His first TV drama was Hachidai Shogun Yoshimune. He, however, got fame with his performance in 1998 TV drama Great Teacher Onizuka. It was in 2003 when Shun turned himself towards movies at the age of 20.
His acting in Boys Over Flower made him heartbeat of the youngsters. He directed his first film named Surely Someday in 2010.
Movies:
Shiawase Kazoku Keiga as Hirose (1999)
Hitsuji no Uta (2002)
Azumi as Nachi (2003)
Robot Contest (2003)
Spring Story (2003)
Haken Kuroitsu no Tsubasa (2004)
Is. A (2004)
The Neighbor No. Thirteen as Juzo Murasaki (2005)
Azumi 2 (2005)
Life on the Long Board (2005)
Rinne / Reincarnation (2006)
Waters (2006)
Sukiyaki Western Django (2007)
Surf’s Up (Japanese dub) (2007)
Sakuran (2007)
Kisaragi (2007)
Crows ZERO (2007)
Hana Yori Dango -Final- (2008)
Snakes and Earrings (2008)
Tajomaru (2009)
Gokusen: The Movie (2009)
Crows ZERO II (2009)
Odoru Daisosasen 3 (2010)
Surely Someday (director – 2010)
Yang Guifei (2011)
Gaku: Minna no Yama / Peak: The Rescuers (2011)
Odoru Daisosasen The Final Arata Naru Kibo (2012)
Gusukobudori no Denki (voice) (2012)
Uchu Kyodai (2012)
Eiga Doraemon: Nobita to Kiseki no Shima – Animaru Adobencha (voice) (2012)
Kitsutsuki to Ame (2012)
Arakawa Under the Bridge (2012)
Space Pirate Captain Harlock (voice) (2013)
Shonen H (2013)
Lupin III (2014)
Terra Formars (2016)
Fun Facts:
His name, Oguri Shun, was chosen on recommendation of a fortune teller
He has natural curly hair and are problem creator for make-up artists
He usually gets into quarrel after drinking
He sleeps with his eyes open and literally, people often keep talking to him
If he got two days off from work, he loves to go for surfing
He is left-handed
He took 12 takes in a kissing scene with Toma Ikuta in Hanazakari No Kimitachi E
Shota Sometani
About:
Shota Sometani has established himself as a distinguished actor many well-known actors of his times.
Up till now, he has acted in about 20 movies. He started his career in the entertainment industry in 2001 and is acting till today.
Starting from his first release in 2002 named Ping Pong, he finally got his break with the film Himizu released in 2012. His performance in this film won him Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor.
Movies:
Ping Pong (2002)
Hebi Ichigo (2003)
The Boy From Hell (2004)
Devilman (2004)
Namida Tsubo (2008)
Fure Fure Shojo (2008)
Pandora’s Box (2009)
Yuriko’s Aroma (2010)
Tokyo Island (2010)
Awaremi Mumashika (2010)
Tokyo Park (2011)
Usotsuki Mii-kun to Kowareta Maa-chan (2011)
Azemichi no Dandy (2011)
Antoki no Inochi (2011)
Isn’t Anyone Alive? (2012)
Himizu (2012)
Sadako 3D (2012)
Sue, Mai & Sawa: Righting the Girl Ship (2012)
Lesson of the Evil (2012)
Tenchi: The Samurai Astronomer (2012)
The Millennial Rapture (2012)
Strawberry Night (2013)
The Intermission (2013)
Real (2013)
The Eternal Zero (2013)
Wood Job (2014)
The Snow White Murder Case (2014)
Kabukicho Love Hotel (2014)
Tenchi: The Samurai Astronomer (2014)
Parasyte: Part 1 (2014)
Parasyte: Part 2 (2015)
Sensei to Mayoi Neko (2015)
Strayer’s Chronicle (2015)
Soredake: that’s it (2015)
Dear Deer (2015)
Bakuman (2015)
Haiyū Kameoka Takuji (2016)
A Man Called Pirate (2016)
Satoshi no Seishun (2016)
Kengo Kora
About:
Kengo Kora is a highly performing actor and he is beautiful, too. Born in Kumamoto he made his film debut in 2006 with the film named The Inugamis. His performance in the films named Sad Vacation, Snakes and Earnings, Norwegian Wood, The Egoist, Into the White Night and The Millennial Rapture.
In Crowd of Three, he appeared alongside Shota Matsuda but maintained his unique standing throughout the film. He adopted a totally new look in the film Bandage and mesmerized the audience with his performance.
Third Window Films ranked his film The Story of Yonosuke at number one in 2012 and acknowledged his performance.
Movies:
The Inugamis (2006)
Metro ni Notte (2006)
The Summer of Stickleback (2006)
M (2007)
Sad Vacation (2007)
Tobo Kusotawake aka Fuckin’ Runaway (2007)
Snakes and Earrings (2008)
Antarctic Chef (2009)
The Crab Cannery Ship (2009)
The Vulture (2009)
Fish Story (2009)
Zen (2009)
Norwegian Wood (2010)
The Lightning Tree (2010)
Fireworks from the Heart (2010)
Box! (2010)
A Crowd of Three (2010)
Solanin (2010)
Bandage (2010)
The Egoists (2011)
Tada’s Do-It-All House (2011)
Into the White Night (2011)
Signal: Getsuyobi no Ruka (2012)
Kueki Ressha (2012)
Kitsutsuki to Ame (2012)
The Millennial Rapture (2012)
Yokomichi Yonosuke (2013)
Roommate (2013)
Beyond the Memories (2013)
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
The Mourner (2015)
Miss Hokusai (2015)
You Are a Good Kid (2015)
Utsukushii Hito (2016)
Fukigen na Kako (2016)
Mitsu no Aware (2016)
Godzilla Resurgence (2016)
Fun Facts:
He is one of the actors known for giving his depth and intensity in the roles
Moriyama Mirai
About:
Moriyama Mirai is one of the unique Japanese actor born in Kobe, Japan. Moriyama, a dance lover, started dancing at the age of five years. Not limiting himself to any single style, he learnt Jazz dance, ballet, hip-hop and tap dance.
During learning he appeared on stage in various roles. It was in 1999 when he made his official debut with Boys Time. He was also the lead actor in Japanese remake of RENT. He made his film debut in 2004 with the film name Socrates in Love. He then appeared in upcoming films including 20th Century Boys, Penance and A Chorus of Angels.
Movies:
Socrates in Love (2004)
Smile (2007)
20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (2008)
20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope (2009)
20th Century Boys 3: Redemption (2009)
Fish Story (2009)
Moteki (2010)
Seiji: Riku no Sakana (2012)
Kueki Ressha (2012)
A Chorus of Angels (2012)
Saint Young Men (2013)
Human Trust (2013)
Anger (2016)
Fun Facts:
He went as a Japan cultural envoy to Israel in 2013
He also created “Judas, Christ with Soy” a duet with Ella Rothschild, an Israeli dancer
His famous quotes are, “”My brain is in a mess — a good mess. People may say, ‘What’s going on Moriyama?’ and I wonder about that, too. However, because I can do what I want to do, I’m enjoying every day even though this may not go on forever — although it might!””
“”Well, I’ve read that the brain inputs many things until we get to the age of 30, and then our output time really starts,” he mused on a tangent. “I’m not sure whether that’s true or not, but I hope so.””
He is the best actor know to do the role of socially changed hero
Eita Nagayama
About:
Eita Nagayama, popularly known as Eita, is a Tokyo-born Japanese actor. His older and younger brother are also known, Japanese actors. He appeared as a child in the films due to his old brother.
He, however, made his debut with modeling in 1991 when he was a high school student. He got fame in 2001 with the commercial for a soda drink. His first TV drama was Sayonara, Ozu-sensei while his first film appearance was in Blue Spring.
He got a breakthrough with his performance in 2003 TV drama named Water Boys. In 2005 film Summer Time Machine Blues further strengthened his standing as an actor. He is to date an actor in demand.
Movies:
Aoi Haru (2002)
Azumi (2003)
9 Souls (2003)
Omohi no Tama~Nenju (2003)
Believer (2004)
Densha Otoko (2005)
Summer Time Machine Blues (2005)
Hanging Garden (2005)
Su-ki-da (2006)
Memories of Matsuko’ (2006)
Tokyo Friends: The Movie (2006)
Dororo (2007)
Invisible War (2007)
The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck and God in a Coin Locker (2007)
Giniro no Season (2008)
April Bride (2009)
Toad’s Oil (2009)
Dear Doctor (2009)
No More Cry!!! (2009)
Nodame Cantabile: The Final Score – Part I (2009)
Nodame Cantabile: The Final Score – Part II (2010)
Tada’s Do-It-All House (2011)
Someday (2011)
Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011)
Wild 7 (2011)
Train Brain Express (2012)
Monsters Club (2012)
Planes (2013)
Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014)
Tada’s Do-It-All House: Disconcerto (2014)
64 (2016)
The Magnificent Nine (2016)
Fun Facts:
He was a soccer lover, never interested in acting
He was spotted by a modelling agent when he was walking on street
His commercial with Coca-Cola made him famous among youngster
Gou Ayano
About:
Gou Ayano is a 34 year old but young looking Japanese actor. He started his acting with minor roles back in 2005. He then appeared as the main actor in the film named Crows Zero 2.
His performance in the film was highly appreciated by the critics. In 2010, he appeared in Surely Someday which was the first movie by Shun Oguri as a director. He acted in various films till 2013 including Helter Skelter, I Have to Buy New Shoes and Yokomichi Yonosuke.
In 2013, he got his breakthrough with roles in Gatchaman and Lupin III. He was also selected for a lead role in 2016 film, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
Movies:
Nana (2005)
Black Kiss (2006)
Life (2007)
Aquarian Age (2008)
Love Exposure (2008)
Be a Man! Samurai School (2008)
Naoko (2008)
Tajomaru (2009)
Crows Zero 2 (2009)
Shibuya (2010)
Surely Someday (2010)
Gantz (2011)
Usagi Drop’ (2011)
A Man with Style (2011)
Me o Tojite Gira Gira (2011)
In a Lonely Planet (2011)
Hasami (2012)
Helter Skelter (2012)
Rurouni Kenshin (2012)
I Have to Buy New Shoes (2012)
The Samurai That Night (2012)
Working Holiday (2012)
Yokomichi Yonosuke (2013)
Gatchaman (2013)
Flower of Shanidar (2013)
Lupin III (2014)
The Perfect Insider (2014)
The Light Shines Only There (2014)
Ushijima the Loan Shark Part 2 (2014)
S The Last Policeman – Recovery of Our Future (2015)
Piece of Cake (2015)
The Big Bee (2015)
Shinjuku Swan (2015)
64 (2016)
Anger (2016)
Rip van Winkle no Hanayome (2016)
Nihon de Ichiban Warui Yatsura (2016)
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016)
Fun Facts:
His hobbies are, photography and guitar.
He also won 800m running competition in junior school
His appearance is matched with Michael Jackson and fight with Bruce Lee
Yuya Yagira
About:
Yuya Yagira is a young and talented Japanese actor. He made a wonderful debut at the age of 12 with the film named Nobody Knows released in 2002. His performance fetched national and international fame from the public and critics.
He also won an award at Cannes Film Festival for his acting in the same film. He then played a role alongside Eriko Sato in 2010 film named All to the Sea. In 2013, his film Under the Nagasaki Sky was released. In the same year, he also appeared in popular films including Unforgiven.
Movies:
Nobody Knows (2004)
Shining Boy and Little Randy (2005)
Sugar and Spice (2006)
The Bandage Club (2007)
The Shock Labyrinth 3D (2009)
All to the Sea (2010)
Under the Nagasaki Sky (2013)
Unforgiven (2013)
Distraction Babies (2016)
Crows Explode (2014)
Fun Facts:
His hobbies are playing Soccer and Swimming
His friends call him Yaggy
His acting debut was as a voice actor in Baby Blue
Takayuki Yamada
About:
Takayuki Yamada is Japanese actor as well as a signer. He started his acting with TV dramas with first drama on-aired on 1999 named Psychometrer Eiji 2. He made his film debut in 2002 film named The Cat Returns.
He, however, played leading role in Densha Otoko, a film released in 2005. He then appeared in various films among which the high rated are Vengeance Can Wait, 13 Assassins, Milicrorze, and Lesson of the Evil.
In 2011, he won the award of Asia’s rising star at the New York Asian Film Festival.
Movies:
The Cat Returns (2002)
Dragon Head (2003)
Jenifa (2004)
Densha Otoko (2005)
The Letter (2006)
Crows Zero (2007)
That Time I Said Hi to My Boyfriend (2007)
Maiko Haaaan!!! (2007)
Ikigami (2008)
Chasing My Girl (2009)
MW (2009)
Kamogawa Horumo (2009)
Crows Zero 2 (2009)
13 Assassins (2010)
Vengeance Can Wait (2010)
Seaside Motel (2010)
Unfair 2: The Answer (2011)
Yubiwa wo Hametai (2011)
Gantz (2011)
Milocrorze (2011)
Arakawa Under the Bridge (2012)
Ushijima the Loan Shark (2012)
The Floating Castle (2012)
The Samurai That Night (2012)
Lesson of the Evil (2012)
The Devil’s Path (2013)
Rakugo Eiga (2013)
Ore wa Mada Honki Dashite nai Dake (2013)
Mole’s Song (2014)
Monsterz (2014)
Ushijima the Loan Shark Part 2 (2014)
Bakuman (2015)
Shinjuku Swan (2015)
Terra Formars (2016)
Nobunaga Concerto (2016)
Nanimono (2016)
Ushijima the Loan Shark Part 3 (2016)
Ushijima the Loan Shark The Final (2016)
Fun Facts:
He is skilled in Horseback riding and Basketball
His hobbies are Soccer, taking pictures, and playing guitar
Harajuka talent scouts found his talent for the acting at the age of 15
He has a son from his ex-girlfriend