Ken'ichi Matsuyama

Kenichi Matsuyama (松山 研一, born March 5, 1985 in Mutsu, Aomori, Japan) is a distinguished Japanese actor celebrated for his willingness to inhabit unconventional and psychologically complex characters. From his early days as a fashion model for PARCO in 2001 to his breakout television role in Gokusen (2002), Matsuyama swiftly transitioned to cinema with a notable appearance in Bright Future (2003) and quickly demonstrated a versatile range that would become his trademark. His portrayal of the enigmatic detective L in the live‑action adaptations of Death Note (2006) and its sequels solidified international recognition, showcasing his skill in balancing eccentricity with emotional depth. In 2010, he carried the weight of Haruki Murakami's literary icon Toru Watanabe in Norwegian Wood, delivering a performance that captured the novel's nuanced melancholy. Matsuyama’s career is marked by daring choices, such as starring in Ultra Miracle Love Story (2009) where he performed in the Tsugaru dialect, and lending his voice to Balthazar Bratt in the Japanese dub of Despicable Me 3 (2017), proving his adaptability across media. On stage, he tackled the demanding role in Seven Souls in the Skull Castle (2017), reinforcing his commitment to theatrical craft. Recent work includes a compelling turn as a police detective in the 2023 drama Why Didn't I Tell You a Million Times?, illustrating his continued relevance in contemporary Japanese television. Off‑screen, Matsuyama married actress Koyuki Katō in 2011, and the couple share three children, born between 2012 and 2015. Fluent in the Shimokita dialect, he often incorporates regional speech into his roles, adding authentic texture to his characters. Represented by Horipro, Kenichi Matsuyama remains an influential figure whose diverse portfolio reflects a relentless pursuit of artistic challenge.