Kimura Takuya

Quick Facts: Who was Kimura Takuya?

Subject:

Kimura Takuya

Known for:

Japanese icon known for acting, singing, and his enduring presence in Japanese pop culture.

Born:

1972-11-13

Century / Era:

1972s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Takuya Kimura (Japanese: 木村 拓哉, Hepburn: Kimura Takuya; born November 13, 1972) 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 Asia. In the media, he is known as a huge heartthrob in Japan, and a sex symbol, having been voted Japan's sexiest man for 15 years in a row by readers of one magazine. 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".

Career & Major Achievements

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 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. He has received the Best Actor award at the Television Drama Academy Awards 11 times and holds the record for most wins. He also starred in blockbuster films, including Love and Honor (2006), Hero (2007) and Howl's Moving Castle (as a voice actor, 2004).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Kimura is also known for his work in the video games Judgment and Lost Judgment, portraying Takayuki Yagami. In 1987, at age 15, Kimura auditioned to enter Johnny & Associates, a talent agency that recruits and trains young boys to become singers and members of boy bands. In Autumn 1987, twenty young boys, including Kimura, were put together into a group called The Skate Boys, which was initially created as backup dancers for a famous boy band, Hikaru Genji. In April 1988, producer Johnny Kitagawa chose six out of the twenty boys to create a new boy band; "SMAP." The group became one of the most successful boy bands in Asia and are regarded as an iconic group in Japan with 24 top-10 albums and 14 number-one albums. SMAP officially disbanded on December 31, 2016.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1972 (1972-11-13): Birth of Kimura Takuya — Japanese icon known for acting, singing, and his enduring presence in Japanese pop culture.
2. 1987: 1987 Milestone — In 1987, at age 15, Kimura auditioned to enter Johnny & Associates, a talent agency that recruits and trains young boys to become singers and members of boy bands.
3. 1988: 1988 Milestone — In April 1988, producer Johnny Kitagawa chose six out of the twenty boys to create a new boy band; "SMAP.
4. 1996: 1996 Milestone — 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".
5. 2001: 2001 Milestone — Five of his most successful television series, Hero (2001), Beautiful Life (2000), Love Generation (1997), Good Luck!!
6. 2003: 2003 Milestone — (2003), and Long Vacation (1996) are ranked in the top ten highest-rated television series in Japanese history.
7. 2006: 2006 Milestone — He also starred in blockbuster films, including Love and Honor (2006), Hero (2007) and Howl's Moving Castle (as a voice actor, 2004).
8. 2016: 2016 Milestone — SMAP officially disbanded on December 31, 2016.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kimura Takuya

True or False: “Takuya Kimura's first major television role was in the drama series Hero (2001).”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His breakthrough lead role came from the 1996 television drama series, Long Vacation.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Kimura Takuya