Happy 30th birthday to Kento Yamazaki! The Japanese actor and model has captivated audiences with his notable roles and striking appearance. If you’re new to his world, read on as we dive into some quick and intriguing facts about Kento, such as his most popular TV shows and movies, and details of his Instagram account.
We’ll also highlight updates on the actor, such as his much-anticipated role in the upcoming live-action adaptation of a beloved manga and his friendship with a certain South Korean K-pop star. (Hint: The latter’s surname is “Yoon” and he belongs to a boy group. Guessed it yet?)
But first, who is Kento Yamazaki?
Kento Yamazaki. (Photo from: @kentooyamazaki, Elle Japan)
Kento Yamazaki was born on 7 September 1994 in Tokyo, Japan. As a child, he dreamt of being a professional soccer player. However, his life took a different turn when he was scouted by a talent agent during his junior high school years, leading him to embark on a modelling career. Shortly after, Kento transitioned into acting, making his television debut with a minor role in the detective drama Atami no Sousakan.
Kento is one of the most popular Japanese male actors at the moment. (Photo from: @kentooyamazaki)
Since then, Kento has established himself as one of the most sought-after actors for various manga and anime live-action adaptations. His ability to bring iconic characters to life has garnered widespread acclaim and a large fanbase. He has also served as a celebrity ambassador for brands like Oakley, Hublot and Saint Laurent, solidifying his status as an influential actor in the Japanese entertainment industry.
Kento Yamazaki’s notable roles in movies and TV shows
Kento has an extensive and impressive portfolio of movies and television series, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He’s taken on a wide range of genres, from horror thrillers and sci-fi dramas to romantic comedies. Below, we highlight some of his most popular movies and TV shows.
L in Death Note (2015)
Kento plays L in ‘Death Note’. (Photo from: imdb.com)
One of Kento’s most iconic roles was in the live-action television drama adaptation of Death Note, based on the popular Japanese manga series. Death Note tells the tale of Light Yagami, an ordinary student whose life takes a dark turn when he stumbles upon a mysterious notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. In this adaptation, Kento portrayed L, a brilliant private detective who serves as the primary antagonist, challenging Light in a battle of wits.
Watch it on Netflix here.
Kosei Arima in Your Lie in April (2016)
Kento stars in ‘Your Lie in April’ opposite actress Suzu Hirose. (Photo from: @kentooyamazaki)
Kento also played Kosei Arima in the live-action film adaptation of Your Lie in April, which is based on the beloved manga series. The film delves into the life of Kosei, a gifted piano prodigy who loses his ability to play after suffering a traumatic event in his childhood.
It features Kento opposite Suzu Hirose, who plays Kaori Miyazono. Their compelling portrayal of a romantic relationship in the film led to dating rumours between the two stars. Kento also spent six months learning to play the piano to excel in his role. P.S. Be prepared for the movie’s heart-wrenching conclusion that will leave you deeply moved!
Watch the anime adaptation of the manga series on iQIYI here.
Ryohei Arisu in Alice in Borderland (2020)
Kento secured a leading role in Netflix’s ‘Alice in Borderland’. (Photo from: @kentooyamazaki)
The television series that catapulted Kento to international fame was arguably the live-action Netflix adaptation of Alice in Borderland (known as Imawa no Kuni no Arisu in Japanese). In this gripping survival thriller, Kento starred as Ryohei Arisu, leading the cast alongside Tao Tsuchiya. Together, Kento and Tao’s characters, Yuzuha Usagi, navigate a dystopian Tokyo, where they must participate in dangerous games to stay alive.
The series earned rave reviews and made a notable impact when its second season attained the number one spot on the global non-English TV list during its premiere weekend, racking up an impressive 61.2 million viewing hours. Its third season is currently in the works.
Catch the first and second seasons here.
Kento Yamazaki’s top Instagram moments: friends with SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan and more
Kento is reportedly the most-followed Japanese male artist on Instagram, with 6 million followers as of writing. He frequently shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of his acting projects with his fans.
When the worlds of J-entertainment and K-entertainment collide: Kento is friends with SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan. (Photos from: @kentooyamazaki)
His friendship with Jeonghan, a member of the K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN, has also captured significant attention on social media. The two first met at a Saint Laurent event in Berlin. Since then, they’ve met on several occasions, including Kento supporting Jeonghan at a SEVENTEEN concert in Japan.
Where can I catch Kento Yamazaki’s next acting project?
Kento is Kuro Kumogakure in the live-action movie adaptation of 'UNDER NINJA', set for theatrical release in Japan in 2025. (Photo from: @kentooyamazaki)
Interested in following Kento and his career? Kento is set to star in the live-action movie adaptation of UNDER NINJA, a manga that was released in 2018. The movie recently released its teaser trailer and will arrive in theatres in Japan on 24 January 2025.
Catch the teaser trailer of ’UNDER NINJA’.
The action-meets-comedy film is directed and screenplay by Yuichi Fukuda, who is known for working on the Gintama live-action series. Kento takes on the role of Kuro Kumogakure, the protagonist in the film. Kumo is a low-ranking ninja who leads a rather uneventful life.
However, one day, he is assigned to a critical mission: to investigate the movements of an organization that has been operating underground for over 70 years since the end of the war. The film also stars actress Minami Hamabde, who plays the main heroine Ayaka Noguchi.
(Cover photos from: @kentooyamazki)
Next, discover 5 things you should know about the stunning Shogun actress Anna Sawai.
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