Takuya Kimura

Takuya Kimura (Japanese: 木村 拓哉, Hepburn: Kimura Takuya, born November 13, 1972), also known as "Kimutaku" ("キムタク"),[2] is a Japanese actor, singer, and radio personality. He is regarded as a Japanese icon after achieving success as an actor. He was also a popular member of SMAP, one of the best-selling boy bands in East Asia.

For the baseball player, see Takuya Kimura (baseball).

Takuya Kimura
木村 拓哉
Background information
Also known asKimutaku
Born (1972-11-13) November 13, 1972
OriginTokyo, Japan[1]
GenresPop
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, harmonica
Years active1987 (1987)–present
LabelsVictor Entertainment
Associated actsSMAP

A 1996 television drama series, Long Vacation, in which he landed his first lead role, became a massive success, creating a phrase called the "Lon-bake phenomenon". He was given the title, "The King of Ratings", as his subsequent television series continued to generate high ratings and each show became a social phenomenon as it aired. Five of his works are ranked in the 10 best-viewed TV drama series in Japan, the highest of which is his 2001 drama series, Hero. He also starred in blockbuster films, including Love and Honor (2006), Hero (2007) and Howl's Moving Castle (as a voice actor, 2004) .

Career

Music
Main article: SMAP

In 1987, at age 15, Kimura auditioned to enter Johnny & Associates, a talent agency that recruits and trains young boys, preteens to teens, to become singers and members of boy bands. After five of the other band members auditioning individually from 1986 through 1987, in autumn 1987, twenty boys, from ages ten to seventeen, were put together into a group called The Skate Boys, which was initially created as backup dancers for a famous boy band, Hikaru Genji.[3] In April 1988, producer Johnny Kitagawa chose six out of the twenty boys to create a new boy band and named them "SMAP".[4]

Acting

In 1988, Kimura made his acting debut in a television series, Abunai Shonen III, along with his band members. After appearing in several television series, he first attracted attention after landing a role in a high-rated television series, Asunaro Hakusho, in 1993. The scene where he hugged his co-star Hikari Ishida from behind became popular in Japan and a man hugging a girl from behind was later named "asunaro daki", meaning "asunaro hug". From 1994, men in Japan started copying his fashion and style, as clothes and fashion items became instant hits, the thick, black-rimmed glasses he wore in Asunaro Hakusho, being one of them. The phenomenon was collectively called the "Kimutaku syndrome". He won the Ishihara Yujiro New Artist Award for his performance in Shoot, in which he made his screen debut.

He first landed the lead role in Long Vacation in 1996. The series, which aired every Monday night, saw massive success and was the highest-rated program that year, thus becoming a social phenomenon. Media stated that, "women disappear from the city on Mondays", pointing out the large viewership and how intoxicating the show was for women in Japan. After Kimura playing a young pianist, there was a rapid increase of young men who started taking piano lessons. The cultural impact and influences of the show is commonly referred to as the "Lonvaca (ron-bake) phenomenon". This was also a breakthrough for Kimura as an actor and helped him gain recognition and a more broad fan base. In 2000, he starred in a television series, Beautiful Life, which became a massive hit, with the final episode marking above the 40% household share rating and becoming the highest-rated program for that slot (Sunday 9:00pm).[5] In 2001, Kimura starred in Hero, which became the all-time highest-rated television series in Japan and the only program in history to have all episodes mark above the 30% household share rating.[6] Subsequent television series, such as Good Luck!!, Pride and Engine, also generated high-ratings.[7] Five of his most successful television series, Hero (2001), Beautiful Life (2000), Love Generation (1997), Good Luck!! (2003), and Long Vacation (1996) are ranked in the top ten highest-rated television series in Japanese history.

In 2004, he played a supporting role in a Cannes-nominated film 2046, and walked the red carpet of Cannes Festival for the first time.[8] He also played the title role of Howl's Moving Castle as a voice actor in 2004. He was the lead actor in Love and Honor (2006). Although he was nominated for numerous prestigious awards for Love and Honor, including the Japan Academy Award, his agency, Johnny & Associates, declined all nominations,[9] though some organizations still announced him as the winner, such as the Tokyo Sports Film Awards, headed by Takeshi Kitano and Cinema Junpo. Earning over 40.3 billion yen, the film became the biggest hit for director Yoji Yamada during his four-decade career, as well as becoming the biggest box-office earner in Shochiku's history.

Television

As a member of the boy band SMAP, he used to co-host a weekly variety show SMAPxSMAP for 20 years until December 2016 and they welcomed a number of international celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Madonna and Lady Gaga as well as Japanese guests. He has also showed up in other shows as an actor occasionally. He hosts an annual TV variety called Santaku with comedian Sanma Akashiya in new year since 2003, but in 2017 it was broadcast in April due to the official disbanding of the band on New Year's Eve.

Personal life

Kimura married singer Shizuka Kudo on December 5, 2000. They have two daughters, Cocomi, born on May 1, 2001; and Mitsuki, born on February 5, 2003.

Other ventures

Product endorsement

Takuya Kimura was the previous brand ambassador for the Japanese men's grooming brand GATSBY, promoting its iconic Moving Rubber series.[10]

Filmography
Takuya Kimura's costume in Hero

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Shoot! Yoshiharu Kubo Leading role
1995 Kimi wo Wasurenai Jyunichiro Ueda
2004 2046 Taku Hong Kong film
Howl's Moving Castle Howl (voice) Leading role
2006 Love and Honor Shinosuke Mimura Leading role
2007 Hero Kohei Kuryu Leading role
2009 I Come with the Rain Shitao French film
2010 Redline JP (voice) Leading role
Space Battleship Yamato Susumu Kodai Leading role
2015 Hero Kohei Kuryu Leading role
2017 Blade of the Immortal Manji Leading role
2018 Killing for the Prosecution Takeshi Mogami Leading role
2019 Masquerade Hotel Kōsuke Nitta Leading role
2020 Doraemon: Nobita's New Dinosaur Jill (voice)
2021 Masquerade Night Kōsuke Nitta Leading role

Television (as actor)
Year Title Broadcasting station Role Notes
1988 Abunai Shonen III Himself Leading role
1989
1990 Jikan Desuyo
Ototo TBS Hekiro
1991 Rugby Yattete Yokatta Masaki Hirai
Romeo and Juliet Romeo Leading role
Sukinanoni Eiichi Tamura
1992 Matenro wa Barairo ni Noboru Misawa
Yonimo Kimyo na Monogatari Inakamono Leading role
Shojo Ijyou Shounen Miman Yuichi Konno
Motto, Tokimeki wo Himself Guest appearance
Sono toki Heartwa Nusumareta Masato Katase
1993 Boku dake no Megami Takeshi
Izu no Odoriko Kawasaki
Asunaro Hakusho Fuji TV Osamu Toride
1994 Kimi ni Tsutaetai Toru Yamashita
Wakamono no Subete Fuji TV Takeshi Ueda
1995 Kimi wa Toki no Kanata e Motoyasu Matsudaira Leading role
Jinsei wa Jyojyoda TBS Kazuma Ooue
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Oshimoto
1996 Furuhata Ninzaburo Fuji TV Isao Hayashi
Long Vacation Fuji TV Hidetoshi Sena Leading role
Kyousoukyoku TBS Sho Kikura
1997 Boku ga Boku de Arutame ni Riki Kurosawa Leading role
Gift Fuji TV Yukio Hayasaka Leading role
Ii Hito Yukio Hayasaka Guest appearance
Love Generation Fuji TV Teppei Katakiri
1998 Oda Nobunaga: Tenka wo Totta Baka TBS Nobunaga Oda Leading role
Nemureru Mori Fuji TV Naoki Ito Leading role
1999 Furuhata Ninzaburo vs SMAP Himself Leading role
Yonimo Kimyo na Monogatari Fuji TV Kimio
Konya wa Eigyouchu Himself Leading role
2000 Beautiful Life TBS Shuji Okishima Leading role
Densetsu no Kyoushi Yoji Mizutani Guest appearance; episode 11
Food Fight Kyutaro (voice)
2001 Hero Fuji TV Kohei Kuryu Leading role
2001 Yonimo Kimyo na Monogatari Fuji TV Naoki Yunomoto Leading role
2002 Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi Fuji TV Ryo Katase Leading role
2003 Good Luck!! TBS Hajime Shinkai Leading role
2004 Pride Fuji TV Haru Satonaka Leading role
X’smap Fuji TV Ajii Leading role
2005 Engine Fuji TV Jiro Shinzaki Leading role
2006 Saiyūki Fuji TV Genyokudaiou Guest appearance; episode 1
Hero SP Fuji TV Kohei Kuryu Leading role
2007 Karei naru Ichizoku TBS Teppei Manpyo Leading role
2008 Change! Fuji TV Asakura Keita Leading role
2009 Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana Sakasu Takuya Cameo appearance
Mr. Brain TBS Ryusuke Tsukumo Leading role
Kochi Kame Takubo Cameo appearance; episode 8
2010 Tsuki no Koibito Moon Lovers Fuji TV Rensuke Hazuki Leading role
Dokutomato Satsujin Jiken Himself Leading role
2011 Nankyoku Tairiku TBS Takeshi Kuramochi Leading role
2012 Priceless Fuji TV Fumio Kindaichi Leading role
2013 Furuhata vs SMAP The Aftermath Himself Leading role
Andō Lloyd: A.I. knows Love? Ando Roido Leading role
2014 Oretachi ni Asu wa aru Fuji TV Himself Leading role
Sazae-san Fuji TV Himself (voice) Episode 7148: “Recipe for a Smile”
Miyamoto Musashi TV Asahi Musashi Miyamoto Leading role
Gokuaku Gambo Fuji TV Kohei Kuryu Guest appearance; episode 11
Hero 2 Fuji TV Kohei Kuryu Leading role
2015 I'm Home TV Asahi Hisashi Ieji Leading role
2017 A Life TBS Kazuaki Okita Leading role
2018 BG Personal Bodyguard TV Asahi Akira Shimazaki Leading role
Jimmy: The True Story of a True Idiot Netflix Comedian Cameo appearance
2019 La Grande Maison Tokyo TBS Natsuki Obana Leading role
2020 BG Personal Bodyguard Season 2 TV Asahi Akira Shimazaki Leading role

Television (as personality)
Year Title Role Notes
1995–2015 Sanma&SMAP Himself (host) TV special; 21 episodes
1996–2016 SMAPxSMAP Himself (host, chef, performer)
2000–2001 TV's High Himself Host
2001–2015 SmaStation Himself Guest appearance
2003–present SanTaku Himself (host) TV special; 13 episodes
2007–2016 Baby Smap Himself (host)

Radio
Year Title Role Notes
1995–2018 What's Up SMAP Himself (host) [11]
2018– Kimura Takuya: FLOW Himself (host) [11]

Theatre
Year Title Role Notes
1989 Modoken
1991 Saint Seiya Kaio Poseidon / Julian Solo Main role
1992 Dragon Quest Main role
Hanakage no Hana
1993 Another Main role
1994 Shareo-Tachi

Video games
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Judgment Takayuki Yagami [12]

Discography
Main article: SMAP discography
  • Go with the Flow (2020)

Awards
Institution Year Award Work Result Ref.
Blue Ribbon Awards 2006 Best Actor Love and Honor Declined nomination
Broadcasting Culture Fund Award 2000 Best Actor Beautiful Life Won [13]
Elan d'Or Award 1994 Newcomer of the Year Shoot! Won
Galaxy Award 1995 Individual Performance Wakamono no Subete Won
Japanese Academy Awards for Best Actor Award 2006 Best Actor Love and Honor Declined nomination
Japan Film Awards 2006 Best Actor Love and Honor Nominated [14]
2011 Best Actor Nankyoku Tairiku Won
Japan Jeans Makers Association 1994 Best Jeanist – Won [15]
1995 Best Jeanist Won
1996 Best Jeanist Won
1997 Best Jeanist Won
1998 Best Jeanist (Hall of Fame) Won
Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix 1998 Best Actor Love Generation Won
1999 Best Actor Beautiful Life Won
2001 Best Actor Hero Won
2003 Best Actor Good Luck!! Won
2008 Best Actor Change! Won
2012 Best Actor Priceless Won
2013 Best Actor Ando Lloyd: A.I. knows Love? Won
Nikkan Sports Film Awards 1994 Ishihara Yujiro New Artist Shoot! Won [16]
2006 Best Actor Love and Honor Won [17]
Seoul Drama Awards 2007 Best performance (Leading role) Karei naru Ichizoku Won
Television Drama Academy Awards 1994 Best Outfit Wakamono no Subete Won [18]
1995 Best Outfit Jinsei wa Jojo da Won
1996 Best Actor Long Vacation Won
1996 Best Actor Concerto Won
1997 Best Cast Gift Won
1997 Best Actor Love Generation Won
1998 Best Actor Nemureru Mori Won
1999 Best Actor Beautiful Life Won
2001 Best Actor Hero Won
2002 Best Actor Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi Won
2005 Best Actor Engine Nominated
2007 Best Actor Karei naru Ichizoku Won
2008 Best Actor Change! Won
2009 Best Actor Mr. Brain Nominated
2012 Best Actor Priceless Won
2014 Best Actor Hero 2 Won
Tokyo Sports Film Awards 2006 Best Actor Love and Honor Won
TV Life Annual Drama Grand Prix 1996 Best Actor Long Vacation Won
1997 Best Actor Gift Won
1997 Best Actor Love Generation Won
2000 Best Actor Beautiful Life Won
2001 Best Actor Hero Won
TV Navi Drama of the Year 2007 Best performance (Leading role) Karei naru Ichizoku Won
2013 Best performance (Leading role) Ando Lloyd: A.I. knows Love? Won
TV Station Drama Awards 2000 Best Actor Beautiful Life Won
2001 Best Actor Hero Won

Publications
  • Kai-Ho-Ku (April 24, 2003) ISBN 978-4087803778
  • Kai-Ho-Ku 2 (September 30, 2011) ISBN 978-4087806137
  • Takuya Kimura (1996) ISBN 978-4533026430
  • Percentage (November 11, 2006) ISBN 978-4838717262
  • Takuya Kimura x Men's Non-No Endless (September 30, 2011) ISBN 978-4087806144

References
  1. "SMAP member profiles" (in Japanese). Johnny's net. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  2. "木村拓哉の原点は岡本健一？ SMAPメンバーの名前も出たラジオでの思い出話を聞いて". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  3. "SMAP". Japan-Zone. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  4. "SMAPの前身「スケートボーイズ」に所属していた豪華メンバーたち". Excite News. Nikkan Taishu. Archived from the original on January 27, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  5. "Housemaid drama series logs highest rating in nearly 12 years". Japan Economic Newswire.
  6. 『HERO』、全話30％超の視聴率を達成　平均視聴率も新記録 Archived July 6, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  7. 平均視聴率ランキングＡ（平均視聴率18％以上） Archived April 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Film of the day". Evening Gazette. p. 22.
  9. "Kimutaku Declines Academy Nomination". Japan Zone. December 20, 2006. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  10. "Kimura Takuya GATSBY Ver 2 木村拓哉". kawaiinight. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  11. http://neotokyo2099.com/2018/07/21/kimura-takuyas-radio-program-whats-up-smap-is-ending-new-radio-show-kimura-takuya-flow-to-premiere-on-august-5th/
  12. https://www.siliconera.com/project-judge-is-pretty-much-detective-kimura-takuya-ga-gotoku-heres-some-demo-footage/
  13. "第26回放送文化基金賞は『ビューティフルライフ』が受賞 本賞のほか男優、女優、脚本の各部門で受賞". Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  14. "Japan Film Awards". Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  15. "Best Jeanist Award- past winner". Archived from the original on July 18, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  16. "30 November,1994 Nikkan Sports Film Award - Yujiro Ishihara New Artist Award". Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  17. "Nikkan Sports Film Award 2007". Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  18. "Television Drama Academy Awards". Retrieved June 2, 2014.
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