
佐藤健
Takeru Satoh (Naoki Fujitani)
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Profile 佐藤健
Takeru Satoh stands as a foundational figure in modern Japanese live-action media, an actor whose career has defined a generation of film and television. His journey from a shy teenager to an industry powerhouse is a testament to his immense talent, strategic career choices, and enduring appeal.
Takeru Satoh made his official debut in the 2006 drama Princess Princess D. However, it was his leading role as the good-natured but possessed Ryotaro Nogami in the 2007 tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Den-O that catapulted him to fame. The show's unique blend of action and comedy, which Satoh himself credits for its success, created a massive and dedicated fanbase, laying the groundwork for his future career.
Following this initial success, Satoh made a series of shrewd career moves to broaden his appeal. Roles in the critically acclaimed high school baseball drama Rookies and the suspenseful series Bloody Monday introduced him to a wider mainstream audience beyond the tokusatsu world. By 2010, he had secured his first lead role in a prime-time drama, Q10, and appeared in the prestigious Taiga historical drama Ryōmaden, solidifying his transition into a serious, versatile leading man.
The next phase of his career cemented his international status. His portrayal of the legendary swordsman Himura Kenshin in the live-action film adaptations of the Rurouni Kenshin manga became his most iconic work. The film series was a colossal commercial success and earned him praise from the original manga author, Nobuhiro Watsuki, for his definitive performance. This role made him a global icon for anime and manga fans.
Satoh’s career demonstrates a masterful ability to cultivate a "multi-fandom" persona by strategically engaging with diverse fan communities. He built a foundation with the Kamen Rider audience, captured the mainstream drama market with series like Rookies and An Incurable Case of Love, and became a global action star with Rurouni Kenshin. He has even engaged with the gaming community, earning the title of an unofficial member of the "Elite Four" in the Pokémon Trading Card Game after a high-profile win. This is not a random path but a deliberate accumulation of cultural capital across different, often-siloed, fandoms, making him an incredibly bankable star.
His recent career moves signal a new level of ambition. In 2021, he co-founded the talent agency Co-LaVo, giving him greater creative and business control over his projects. His role as a producer on
Glass Heart is the culmination of this evolution, transforming him from a star-for-hire into a true architect of his own work.
Takeru Satoh's filmography is extensive, showcasing his evolution from a young franchise star to one of Japan's most respected leading actors.
Takeru Satoh - Filmography (Film)
Year | Title | Role | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born! | Ryotaro Nogami/Kamen Rider Den-O | Lead Role | ||
2008 | Kamen Rider Den-O & Kiva: Climax Deka | Ryotaro Nogami/Kamen Rider Den-O | Lead Role | ||
2008 | Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown | Ryotaro Nogami/Kamen Rider Den-O | Special Appearance | ||
2009 | Goemon | Young Kirigakure Saizō | |||
2009 | Rookies: Graduation | Yuya Okada | |||
2010 | Trick The Movie: Psychic Battle Royale | Shohei Nakamori | |||
2010 | Beck | Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka | |||
2012 | Rurouni Kenshin | Kenshin Himura | Lead Role | ||
2013 | Real | Koichi Fujita | Lead Role | ||
2013 | The Liar and His Lover | Aki Ogasawara | Lead Role | ||
2014 | Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno | Kenshin Himura | Lead Role | ||
2014 | Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends | Kenshin Himura | Lead Role | ||
2015 | Pieta in the Toilet | The Janitor | Cameo | ||
2015 | Bakuman | Moritaka Mashiro | Lead Role | ||
2016 | If Cats Disappeared from the World | Postman / Devil | Lead Role | ||
2016 | Someone | Takuto Ninomiya | Lead Role | ||
2017 | Ajin: Demi-Human | Kei Nagai | Lead Role | ||
2017 | The 8-Year Engagement | Hisashi | Lead Role | ||
2018 | Inuyashiki | Hiro Shishigami | |||
2018 | Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever | Ryotaro Nogami | |||
2019 | Samurai Marathon | Jin'nai Karasawa | Lead Role | ||
2019 | Dragon Quest: Your Story | Ruka | Lead Voice Role | ||
2021 | Rurouni Kenshin: The Final | Kenshin Himura | Lead Role | ||
2021 | Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning | Kenshin Himura | Lead Role | ||
2021 | Belle | The Dragon | Voice Role | ||
2021 | In the Wake | Yasuhisa Tone | Lead Role | ||
2024 | April, Come She Will | Shun Fujishiro | Lead Role | ||
2024 | Cells at Work! | White Blood Cell (U-1146) | Lead Role |
Takeru Satoh - Filmography (Television)
Year | Title | Role | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Princess Princess D | Toru Kono | |||
2007–2008 | Kamen Rider Den-O | Ryotaro Nogami/Kamen Rider Den-O | Lead Role | ||
2008 | Rookies | Yuuya Okada | |||
2008 | Bloody Monday | Otoya Kujo | |||
2009 | Mei's Butler | Kento Shibata | |||
2010 | Ryōmaden | Okada Izō | Taiga drama | ||
2010 | Q10 | Heita Fukai | Lead Role | ||
2011 | Fuyu no Sakura | Hajime Inaba | |||
2013 | Tonbi | Akira Ichikawa | |||
2014 | Bitter Blood | Natsuki Sahara | Lead Role | ||
2015 | The Emperor's Cook | Tokuzo Akiyama | Lead Role | ||
2018 | Half Blue Sky (Hanbun, Aoi) | Ritsu Hagio | Asadora | ||
2018 | Stepmom and Daughter Blues | Akira Mugita | |||
2020 | An Incurable Case of Love | Kairi Tendo | |||
2022 | First Love | Harumichi Namiki | Lead Role | ||
2023 | Why Didn't I Tell You a Million Times? | Torino Naoki | |||
2025 | Marry My Husband | Wataru Suzuki | Lead Role | ||
2025 | Glass Heart | Naoki Fujitani | Lead Role, Producer |
Other Notable Works:
- Theatre: He made his stage debut as Romeo in a 2012 production of Romeo and Juliet.
- Music Videos: He has appeared in music videos for artists such as Bahashishi, Mayday, and Vaundy.