We have a lot of talented and famous Japanese celebrities in the entertainment industry. Many actors and actresses started their careers as child actors at a young age. They grew up in the spotlight and have gained plenty of experience throughout their journey till now. They have learned how one should excuse charisma during their on-screen presence. So let’s look at the top ten Japanese actors who debuted young.
1. Yuya Yagira
Yuya Yagira is a Japanese actor. Yagira, being not a professional actor, was only twelve years old when he began filming for Nobody Knows in 2002. He even won the Best Actor award, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the Cannes Film Festival. Since then has been on various reversion projects and films.
2. Miyu Irino
Miyu Irino is a Japanese actor, singer, and voice actor. He has been active in the industry from 1992 till the present. He made his acting debut in the Ultraman Series as a child actor. He even released his mini debut album Soleil in 2009. He went on a hiatus to study abroad in 2016. In 2021 he announced that he was married.
3. Shota Sometani
Shota Sometani is a Japanese actor well known for his protagonist roles in Himizu and Parasyte. He started his career as a child actor, being active in the film industry from 2001 until now. Since then, he has worked in films and television, from which he gained his first leading role in Pandora’s Box, which released in 2009. He has also featured in movies like Detective Chinatown 3 and First love.
4. Ryūnosuke Kamiki
Ryūnosuke Kamiki is a Japanese actor and voice actor. At just 2, he began his acting career in Toy Box. His television debut was in 1999, with the drama Good News in the lead role. He was only five years old when he was personally scouted by Hayao Miyazaki. He was in 2004 the lead in the movie Otosan no Backdrop, for which he won his first award. He has also been voice acting from the age of 5.
5. Hidetaka Yoshioka
Hidetaka Yoshioka is a Japanese actor and writer who has been active in the film industry since 1975. He is well known as a child actor for his performance in several movies and currently in the TV drama Dr. Kotō Shinryōjo. In 2006 he won the Japan Academy Award Best Actor for Always - Sunset on Third Street.
6. Daisuke Namikawa
Daisuke Namikawa is a Japanese singer, actor, and voice actor associated with Stay Luck. He is a child actor who has been active since 1984. He is well known for his roles in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Black Lagoon, Gantz, and many more. Daisuke is the official dub-over voice artist for Elijah Wood, an American actor, and Hayden Christensen, a Canadian actor. His directorial debut was for Wonderful World, a live-action film.
7. Sōsuke Ikematsu
Sōsuke Ikematsu is a Japanese actor who has been active in the film industry since 2001. He was thirteen years old when he had his first acting debut in the role of Higen, the young nephew of samurai leader Katsumoto in the film The Last Samurai in 2003. He has also featured in films like 1921, The Asian Ange, and many more.
8. Shun Oguri
Shun Oguri is a Japanese voice actor and actor who has been active in the film industry since 1994. He is the son of state director Tetsuya Oguri and the youngest among the three siblings. He started playing minor roles as extras in his father and brother's work. He was only 13, when he made his acting debut in the TV drama Hachidai Shogun Yoshimune. His Hollywood debut was in Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021.
9. Hayato Ichihara
Hayato Ichihara is a Japanese actor who has been active since 1999. As a child actor, he began acting in the Film Tom and Swayed in the city. He is known for roles in films, and television, including the film All About Lily Chou Chou, Yomigaeri, Rika The move, A Family, and many more. In 2014 he married Japanese model Mukouyama Shiho.
10. Seishiro Kato
Seishiro Kato is a Japanese actor who debuted when he was only 13 months old and has been active since 2002. He became well recognized after his breakthrough role as Higuchi Yoroku in Tenchijin. Currently he has actively appeared in many Films, TV dramas, and commercials. He also featured in films like Ninja Kids, Zatoichi, Assassination Classroom: Graduation, and many more.
