Typecasting in cinema, television, and theater is how an actor gets firmly associated with a single character, one or more specific parts, or characters with similar characteristics or belonging to similar socioeconomic or ethnic groups. There have been cases where an actor's identification has been so deep that it has been impossible to get work playing other roles. Here are a few Japanese actors that are well-known for their roles.
1. Kenichi Matsuyama
In the films Death Note and L: Change the World, he played the character, L. In 2010, he won a Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Norwegian Wood.
2. Mamoru Miyano
He's also a singer and a voice actor. Ouran High School Host Club, Vampire Knight, Death Note, Soul Eater, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Ktetsu Sangokushi, Steins; Gate, Nobunaga the Fool, and Uta no Prince-Sama are among his well-known roles. For his portrayal as Light Yagami in Death Note, he was nominated twice for the 2007 Seiyu Awards. At the 2008 Tokyo International Anime Fair, he was named Best Voice Actor.
3. Takeru Satoh
Kamen Rider Den-O and Rurouni Kenshin are two of his famous works. In Princess D, he played Toru Kouno, his debut drama performance. He made a brief appearance in Shinigami no Ballad in 2007 and rose to prominence in the 17th episode of the Kamen Rider series. Den-O became famous for its timing.
4. Hideaki Takizawa
Some of Takizawa's famous works are Romeo and Juliet, Yukinojo Henge, Kokuchisezu, Orthros no Inu, Akutou, and Mayonaka no Panya San. Under the name Tackey & Tsubasa, he worked with Tsubasa Imai and created a lot of music albums. Ho! Summer and Venus are two of Tackey & Tsubasa's popular singles.
5. Sho Sakurai
Yatterman 2, Honey, and Clover are his works. Sho Sakurai is an idol singer, songwriter, newscaster, and TV personality who used to work as a radio presenter. He is a member of Japan's Arashi boy band.
6. Hiro Mizushima
He is known for Mei-chan no Shitsuji, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, Zettai Kareshi, Kamen Rider Kabuto, and Black Butler. Besides being an actor, he is a producer, writer, and creative director. Tomohiro Saito, his birth name, is credited as a co-producer in his films. Kagerou, his debut book, won the 5th Poplar Publishing Grand Prize for Fiction in 2010 and was released in 2011.
7. Toma Ikuta
Playing Shuichi Nakatsu in the Japanese drama Hanazakari no Kimitachi e was his break in Japanese entertainment (Hana Kimi). His rise to prominence led to another project, a double-role in the Japanese translation of the Korean drama Mawang with Arashi's leader, Satoshi Ohno. He also appears in Hana Yori Dango Returns, a drama.
8. Ryo Nishikido
Teru Teru Kazoku, Ryusei no Kizuna, Orthros no Inu, and Last Friends are some of his most popular works. He is a singer and composer in addition to acting. He is a member of Kanjani Eight and was previously a member of the male idol group NEWS.
9. Kento Yamazaki
He began his career in the show business in 2009 with the Japanese talent agency Stardust Promotion. In 2010, he featured in the film Clone Baby. Suikyu Yankees was another film in which he starred. He portrayed an enigmatic high school kid.
10. Masaki Okada
He is famous for his appearances in the drama Hanazakari no Kimitachi as Sekime Kyogo and the 2009 film I Give My First Love To You as Takuma Kakinouchi.
