It goes without saying that all a lot of these ModelPress “Next Break” articles do is put some extra attention on new names in and around the acting and entertainment world. They hardly ever really end up breaking through in a few months after all! But that doesn’t mean it’s not any less interesting to take a look at the names another drama season brings with it.

Nasu Yuto (’02, Bishounen/Johnny’s Jr. – J&A) & Hyuga Wataru (’04 – HoriPro)

This time around, it seems ModelPress decided to list their chosen young actors per project they’re in, starting with Neechan no Koibito starring Arimura Kasumi and Hayashi Kento.

Johnny’s Jr. and Bishounen member Nasu Yuto plays Takeuchi Shogo, a colleague of Arimura’s character. The Jr. Idol and rookie actor had his debut through Pareto no Gosan which aired last March, and went on to join his fellow group members in Manatsu no Shounen 19452020 through summer. He also appeared as an extra in fellow agencymates’ Snow Man and SixTONES’ Shounentachi movie last year. Nasu’s role in Neechan no Koibito is his third drama role since his debut.

Meanwhile, Hyuga Wataru was cast as Adachi Yuuki, the second brother of the drama’s lead character. He joined agency HoriPro after winning their 2019 “HORIPRO MEN’S STAR AUDITION” where he took the top spot out of 6468 applicants. As part of the prize, Hyuga was able to make his acting debut past May through drama Taiyo wa Ugokanai: THE ECLIPSE. A related movie – Taiyo wa Ugokanai – is set for a March 2021 release date. Neechan no Koibito is his first fixed role.

Ichinose Hayate (’97 – KEN ON)

In comparison with the two who were mentioned earlier, Ichinose Hayate has been around a little longer as an actor – just a little though. The young actor was scouted while on his way to his university’s entrance ceremony in May 2018, and made his acting debut as Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger‘s leader Ryusoul Red in March 2019.

Ichinose has since joined multiple drama projects such as Tokusou 9, Unsung Cinderella and its spin-off series, as well as Taiga drama Kirin ga Kuru. He is currently part of the Kono Koi Atatamemasuka cast alongside Mori Nana, Nakano Taiga, Nakamura Tomoya, and more.

Takahashi Yuto (’99, HiHi Jets/Johnny’s Jr. – J&A)

The second J&A Jr. on the list is Takahashi Yuto. While it might seem his current role in Haru’s #RemoLove is one of his first, Takahashi actually already had his acting debut in Kato Shigeaki’s Moumoku No Yoshinori Sensei –Hikari Wo Ushinatte Kokoro Ga Mieta– back in 2016. He went on to get a few more roles alongside agencymates, as well as roles in drama series such as Karera wo Mirebawakaru Koto, Poison Daughter Holy Mother, and SUITS‘ second season.

He also voiced himself in an episode of the Crayon Shin-chan anime in 2019.

Okudaira Daiken (’03 – Stardust), Miyase Ryubi (’04 – Stardust), & Fujiwara Taiyu (’03 – Amuse)

This young trio is currently working their way through the Koisuru Hahatachi drama – as well as its spin-off series Koisuru Otokotachi – as the sons of the main three female leads.

While being scouted during his first year middle school, Okudaira Daiken wanted to focus on his club activities rather than a career in the entertainment world. Fast forward a few years and the kid decided to challenge himself through an audition for the sake of “learning”, yet – despite having no acting experience – was given the main role in the end. Daiken’s acting debut, Mother, was released earlier this year, and is currently available on Netflix worldwide. Aside from the movie, he has also appeared in the music video for Palette, a song by voice actor Saito Soma. Koisuru Hahatachi is his first drama role.

Meanwhile, agencymate Miyase Ryubi is probably the most known name of the trio so far. The Stardust actor used to be part of EBiDAN’s M!LK before he – and fellow member Itagaki Mizuki – decided to step down and focus on his acting career instead. ModelPress already listed him last year, when he had his debut role as Seto Koji’s character’s younger version on the Perfect World drama. After gaining experience in a few other series, Ryubi was added to the Koisuru Hahatachi cast alongside Daiken and Taiyu. He will also appear in ep6 of Anoko no Yume wo Mitan desu, and was revealed to be a part of the Hoshi no SP (School Police) student cast.

Fujiwara Taiyu, on the other hand, is one of Amuse’s new generation of young actors despite only joining the agency last year. He first appeared in Joshikosei no Mudazukai last January before being added to the main cast of the Ojisan wa Kawaii Mono ga Osuki drama which aired in August. The young actor already has a movie release coming up as well, as Ai no Manazashi wo is currently scheduled for a 2021 release.

Takahashi Fumiya (’01 – A-Plus)

With Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Zero One barely over and done, Takahashi Fumiya hasn’t had much time to get his name known outside of the project. As such, his current role in the Sensei wo Kesu Houteishiki drama is his first fixed one since the KR series ended. He was cast as one of the main five students alongside Kubota Sayu, Takahashi Nao, Morita Kokoro, and Akiya Ikuho. Aside from his acting work, the currently airing anime KAPIBARASAN has him on the cast list as well, as he narrates the short comedy episodes together with voice actor Umehara Yuichiro.

Amusingly, the young actor is also a licensed chef. Until just right before the start of Kamen Rider Zero One, he occasionally updated his own food blog, but it’s likely he’s been too busy lately to continue. Early January, ModelPress mentioned him as one of  their under 20 trio on the 2020 break list.

Yuki Kousei (’94 – Stardust)

ModelPress added another Stardust to its list in the form of Yuki Kousei. Having been born in ’94, the actor is slightly older than most guys here, and has already been working on his acting resume since back in 2012.

After having been cast as one of the main leads in Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger in 2018, Kousei has slowly been getting higher profile supporting and lead roles, as well as – in regular Stardust fashion – been tagging along with fellow agencymates such as Sano Hayato (Drama Boku Dake ga 17-sai no Sekai de & Stage Play Satomi Hakkenden) and Hongo Kanata (Aozakura: Boei Daigakuko Monogatari). He also guested in Yokohama Ryusei‘s Shiro demo Kuro demo Nai Sekai de, Panda wa Warau and Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru. Next to that, the actor was the second male lead in Kakafukaka where he starred alongside Nakao Masaki, two years after he had a supporting role in the guy’s Ichirei Shite, Kisu movie.

Quite a few people might actually remember Kousei as the first incarnation of Haikyuu‘s Akaashi Keiji in the Hyper Projection Engeki: Haikyu!! stage play series. While he didn’t return for sequel productions, he does still seem to have a soft spot for the project and has appeared in a variety of events and videos concerning it. At the moment he is part of the Kikenna Venus drama series.

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