Takayuki Yamada

Takayuki Yamada (山田 孝之) is a Japanese actor, singer, and producer whose career has spanned more than two decades, beginning with his debut in the TV drama Psychometrer Eiji 2 in 1999. Born on October 20, 1983 in Naha, Okinawa, he was raised in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima until age fifteen, when he moved to Tokyo after being scouted in front of Laforet Harajuku with his sisters. Although he completed middle school in Tokyo, he forwent high school to devote himself entirely to the entertainment industry, a decision that quickly paid off. His breakthrough came with the 2003 cult classic Water Boys, where he played the charismatic Kankuro Shindo, a role he won after an intensive audition process. The following year he starred as Sakutaro Matsumoto in the beloved drama Socrates in Love, cementing his status as a household name. Densha Otoko (2005) marked his first major film lead, becoming the fourteenth best‑selling Japanese movie of that year. International audiences later recognized him for his portrayal of Tamao Serizawa in the Crows Zero series, and Japanese media often describe him as a “chameleon actor” for his versatile performances across genres. Beyond acting, Yamada launched a music career, releasing the CD 真夏の天使All I want for this Summer is you in 2002 and later becoming the lead vocalist of the band The XXXXXX (read “The Six”) in 2018, alongside Gō Ayano and Asahi Uchida. He also experimented with short‑term collaborations, such as the Jintaka unit with Jin Akanishi in 2016. As a producer, he oversaw the live‑action web series Saint Young Men, expanding his footprint behind the camera. His personal life has been publicly documented: after an early relationship with actress Chiho Oyama that resulted in a son, he married a non‑celebrity woman in January 2012, and they welcomed a second child in 2013. Yamada is known for his candid presence on social media, though he temporarily closed his Instagram in 2020 due to overwhelming follower numbers. Today, with more than two children and a portfolio that includes acting, singing, and production, Takayuki Yamada remains a dynamic and influential figure in contemporary Japanese entertainment.