The Kamishiraishi sisters had their movie debut through the same project – though different parts of it – in 2011, while their first drama appearances were late the same year (Mone) and early 2012 (Moka). Though they currently have about as many projects on their filmographies, it’s Mone whose name has been going around the most in the past years. A great deal of that popularity comes from her inclusion in Shinkai Makoto’s Kimi no Na wa anime movie, where she co-starred alongside Kamiki Ryunosuke. The project got so popular they even managed to receive the top voice actor awards at the Seiyuu Awards in 2017, despite it not being their main profession.

Winter season 2020 brought another boost to Mone’s popularity, as the actress’ drama Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomademo received loads of attention. Her character’s relationship with the cold lead doctor – played by Sato Takeru – certainly had something to do with that. Meanwhile, little sister Moka is preparing for the release of her upcoming movie Kodomo wa Wakatte Agenai, in which she stars alongside rookie actor Hosoda Kanata.

Both sisters also have music careers. Mone’s most recent single From the Seeds was released last February while Moka, on the other hand, released a mini album called adieu 1 in November 2019.

Much like with the Kamishiraishi sisters, Alice and Suzu‘s filmographies continue to grow in size at a similar pace. It’s Suzu, however, who has been able to star in the most known projects. This includes Anone, 100th NHK Asadora Natsuzora, as well as movie series Chihayafuru – the latter of which also has Alice in the role of Suzu’s character’s sister. Both already have multiple projects set for the year so far.

Amusingly, Hirose Alice seems to be a big fan of voice actor Hanae Natsuki, and has been gushing about him and his voice – especially as Kaneki Ken from Tokyo Ghoul – on various occasions. Imagine her surprise and shock when a variety show actually got the guy to come over and join them for a talk, effectively knocking out Alice with some of his Kaneki Ken character lines which he performed near whispering in her ear. Well, wouldn’t we all have a moment then? Apparently her twitter likes also mainly consist of Hanae’s cat tweets. I feel you though, Alice, his cats ARE cute.

The same somewhat counts for the Nagayama family, where all three brothers (Tatsuya, Eita, and Kento) have been getting some of the spotlight through the years.

I personally learned about Kento first. He was a total rookie back then, and the two drama series I saw him in are his second and third ever – Puzzle and Koizora, respectively. Since his 2007 debut, the actor has accumulated about 44 drama appearances as well as 23 movies, but his biggest role in the past years is probably as one of the lead characters in Japan’s Cold Case adaptation. A third season for that is set to release later this year.

Though Kento has gathered quite a number of projects through the years, it’s middle brother Eita who is without a doubt the most known one out of the three. Coincidentally he’s also the one who had his debut first in 1999. It took another few years after that for Tatsuya, the eldest, to join Eita in the acting field, but apart from a few roles spread across the past decades, he was rather quiet. More recently, however, it was revealed that throughout 2020 he will be making his proper return to the entertainment industry with roles in movie Shibuya Shadow as well as the drama Byoshitsu de Nembutsu wo Tonaenaide Kudasai confirmed so far.

That wasn’t the only change for 2020 though, as Eita – who had been going mononymously since early in his career, making it so that a lot of people never linked him to his younger brother – went back to being known under his full name. With this change, all three brothers are fully in action to continue spreading the Nagayama name through the industry

I’m not entirely sure the Matsuda brothers need any introduction at this point: for example, who in J-dramaland isn’t familiar with Hana Yori Dango? The series originally aired in 2005 and was one of Shota’s first acting jobs. It’s also, without a doubt, the reason he got his name out so early into his career, and was able to continue building up on that popularity from there – including an appearance in its official sequel series, Hana Nochi Hare many, many years later. More recently – and probably also one of his more known roles with the younger crowd – he played Tsukiyama Shu in the Tokyo Ghoul live action movie sequel Tokyo Ghoul S. His latest movie, Ichido Shinde Mita, was released last month.

Meanwhile big brother Ryuhei got his fame from the get-go as well, starring in critically acclaimed movies such as Taboo and Aoi Haru – which also has Eita among its cast. The mainstream crowd, however, might mainly know him from his appearances in LA adaptations Cutie Honey and Nana, the latter of which had him appear as ex-band-member-turned-rival Honjo Ren. Earlier this year saw the release of Ryuhei’s most recent starring movie, Eiri.

Ryuhei and Shota are sons of actor Matsuda Yusaku, who sadly passed away of cancer when both boys were still kids. As a way to commemorate his life and career, Office Saku was established 10 years after their father’s death. The agency not only manages the brothers, but also their mother, younger sister – Matsuda Yuki, an electronic music artist – as well as a variety of other actors such as Fujiwara Kisetsu, and Shimizu Hiroya.

The Emoto family is a rather special one, in my opinion. Not only Tasuku and Tokio but also their father – Emoto Akira – and mother – Tsunogae Kazue – as well as their respective wives (Ando Sakura and Iriki Mari), are all part of the acting world! Both have also been in the same projects as family members on multiple occasions.

The eldest brother, Tasuku, debuted way back in 2003, after passing an audition for the movie Utsukushii Natsu Kirishima. It is said his decision to audition came forth from his love for Zatoichi, and his mother’s manager recommending him to apply for the project. His leading role was awarded with both Best Newcomer and Movie Critics Rookie Award the year after, and clearly showed a promising start of his now decades long career. Tasuku continues being cast in both leading and supporting roles, resulting in a great variety and a very long filmography going well over a 120 projects so far.

The same year as his older brother, Tokio had his first role in the Suberidai part of Jam Films S. Apparently this was an audition his brother had also attempted, but failed. Just like Tasuku, Tokio has built up a resume of over a 120 projects since his debut. His two most recent movies being 2019’s Shijinso no Satsujin and Ichido Shinde Mita, which was released last month. The longtime actor is also known to have kept a part-time job since his second year high school, and has kept up with it despite having a solid acting career. An interview at the end of 2017 revealed he was still doing part-time jobs, at the time washing dishes.

Tasuku and Tokio also have an older sister. She works behind the scenes in the film business.

As a younger example, there’s Arata Mackenyu and younger brother Maeda Gordon, who are sons of Sonny Chiba – honestly, don’t get me started on their stage name choices. It’s often forgotten, though, that they have an older half sister, Manase Juri. While she hasn’t been acting much in recent years, she does have a whole career of her own.

Next to acting, Manase is also known for her skill in tate, Japanese stage combat. It eventually led to her being invited to teach the art to the leads of Kill Bill, an American production her father was starring in. While on set she ended up a stunt double for Lucy Liu in various scenes, and was also cast as one of the Crazy 88.

When it comes to the guys, I’m sure most are at least familiar with Mackenyu by now. Whether it’s from his role in the Chihayafuru LA movie series – where he also got his stage name from – or from more recent projects such as 12 nin no Shinitai Kodomotachi, he’s been pretty hard to miss. Gordon, however, only really started his acting career last year. His debut came through Chiisana Koi no Uta, which was led by Sano Hayato. Later the same year he was a second lead boy next to Katayose Ryota in Gozen 0 ji, Kiss Shi ni Kite yo. Drama Watashi no Kaseifu Nagisa-san started airing earlier this month.

More recently another sibling pair with famous parents has been making their way into the entertainment business, as actor Asano Tadanobu and singer Chara’s daughter and son have been taking on their first acting projects.

The siblings are probably more known for their modeling careers, though, as they’ve spanned more than a few years for each of them. SUMIRE started off by posing for some of the covers of her mother’s albums, gathering attention not only for her looks and style, but also her unique eye color. She went on to become a So-en magazine exclusive model in 2014, eventually starring in a film series project produced by the magazine itself. The model-turned-actress had her proper acting debut through Saraba Seijaku which was followed up by a role in River’s Edge, alongside Yoshizawa Ryo and Nikaido Fumi. Together with Furukawa Yuki, she was able to star in Ishi no Mayu prequel series Aku no Hado. It aired late last year. With Mellow and Ura Ka, SUMIRE already has another two projects planned for the year, with more likely to be announced as time goes.

Her younger brother, on the other hand, has only taken small steps into the acting world. His first project was a short movie in 2018, after which he was cast in movie WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES in 2019. The same year, Himi also guested in an episode of drama The Good Wife. #Hand Zenryoku is his only project for 2020 so far.

Having mentioned tate earlier, I can’t do anything but go to the Saotome brother duo who every now and then post their fighting choreography practice videos through Taichi’s Instagram account.

They aren’t considered your regular actors, though, those two Saotome brothers. Taichi and Yuki are the sons of the Gekidan Sujaku head, basically having been thrown into the stage acting world from when they were born. It goes without saying that they have joined loads of the troupe’s light theater plays while growing up. Taichi, specifically, is widely known for his onnagata, the practice in which a male actor takes on a female role.

While Yuki seems to be focusing on theater, Taichi branches out from time to time. The actor had his movie debut in Kitano Takeshi’s Zatoichi back in 2003, but I’m sure most people mainly know him from the HIGH & LOW series, the more recent Bleach live action movie in which he played Abarai Renji, or from his voice acting debut as Lio Fotia in Promare.

The brothers also have a younger sister who goes by the name Suzuka Ayumi. She seems to only be involved in theater so far.

Despite not being all that known as a sibling combi – Hiroya clearly overshadows older brother Naoya on the spotlight department – the Shimizu brothers have been doing their thing for quite a few years by now.

While both of them clearly have a penchant for more indie and alternative projects, it’s likely the younger one’s variety in roles and productions which has probably resulted in him being the more known Shimizu brother. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean Naoya’s not as experienced. The elder brother’s acting debut goes way back to 2007 drama Yamada Taro Monogatari, for instance, with Hiroya first showing his skills in about five years later in Koukou Nyushi. The biggest difference might be nothing but Hiroya’s career being managed by Office Saku, the agency led by the Matsuda brothers and their mother, likely giving him a further reach in casting decisions and projects as a whole.

After an appearance in this year’s season of Zettai Reido, Hiroya’s next movie, Amai Osake de Ugai, was planned for a 2020 release. Because of the Novel Coronavirus, however, it has been postponed with a new date yet to be announced. Naoya, on the other hand, is a part of the newest GARO project, GARO -VERSUS ROAD-. It started airing earlier this month.

Also, fun fact: while Hiroya never intended to become an actor, he somehow rolled into it after having been forced into a school play and realizing he did love it.

For anyone not into voice-acting or theater – or not a fan of Tao – this one might even be completely unknown, but the actress’ one year younger brother Shinba – Shinba? Shimba? Or should we just use Simba after all, since he was named after the Lion King character – has his own acting career. The 24-year-old made his debut voicing Shiratorizawa volleyball team member Goshiki Tsutomu in anime series Haikyuu!!, but has been able to do all kinds of things since doing so. Shinba’s also mentioned that he purposely tried – and succeeded – getting into Gekidan Himawari so he could challenge himself to many different sides of acting. After all, the agency houses quite a few big names in the voice acting world – think Miyano Mamoru and Uchiyama Kouki – but also has its whole theater side including performers such as Sato Ryuji!

By the time of publishing, the young all-rounder has had a few guestings in drama series here and there, as well as a role in the Touken Ranbu LA movie, though has yet to really land a proper role for him to garner widespread attention. As for voice acting and theater, he seems to be moving along well enough.

Talking about theater, I was lucky enough to be able to witness Tao in her 2018 theater show, Pluto. The play also starred Emoto Akira and Moriyama Mirai, and took the cast around the world, performing in four different countries. For 2020, Tao and Yamazaki Kento are once again joining forces, this time appearing in the LA drama adaptation of Imawa no Kuni no Alice. The actress will also be reprising her role in the upcoming Rurouni Kenshin movies.

Tao and Shinba also have an older sister, Honoka, who works as a model. She also won the Miss Japan Tokyo contest last year.

While we might all know and recognize Hikari for her many acting roles, her first steps into the entertainment business were as a part of co-ed pop group Folder – later Folder 5, with just the girls – alongside pop star Miura Daichi. After the group disbanded, she continued her showbiz career as a TV personality, eventually shifting into acting a few years later. While her first role dates back to 1997, it wasn’t till 2005 she fully kick-started her own acting career with a role in Ultraman Max. Her movie debut, on the other hand, was as Yagami Light’s younger sister Sayu in the Death Note LA movie adaptations from 2006.

2008, however, threw the young actress into the spotlight after her participation in Sion Sono’s Love Exposure, which was led by AAA member Nishijima Takahiro/Nissy and also featured Ando Sakura, among others. Hikari received multiple nominations for her role, and took various awards home with her in the end, including Best Female Performance, Best New Talent, Best Supporting Actress, as well as the Sponichi Grand Prize: New Talent Award.

Dramas and movies aren’t the only things Hikari adds to her resume every single year though, as she’s been consistently doing theater since the end of 2006 as well. Her most recent play, Oki ni Mesu mama – based on As You Like It by William Shakespeare – ran in July 2019.

During a seven month long bike trip around the country, Hikari’s younger brother Shinnosuke was confronted with a lot of published media of his sister. Impressed by her presence no matter where he went, the guy felt like he also had to do his best. Barely a month after his return, Shinnosuke joined the same agency Hikari was at the time, and about a year after that he made his theater acting debut. The actor’s first drama role in 2011 will likely continue to be imprinted on my mind for eternity, as I can immediately recall scenes including the Karate Club leader from Hanazakari no Kimitachi he without all too much trouble. His most recent movie role was as Heki in last year’s Kingdom LA adaptation.

Hikari and Shinnosuke have another two younger siblings, Kotaro and Minami. While Kotaro is a pro-basketball player, Minami works as a model.