The highly anticipated movie 『Kokuhou』 is currently enjoying a smash-hit run in theaters. The stellar performances of Yoshizawa Ryou-san, who plays the lead role of Tachibana Kikuo, and Yokohama Ryuusei-san, who portrays his rival Oogaki Shunsuke, have garnered significant attention. Many fans, captivated by 『Kokuhou』, are now diving into their extensive filmographies, including their appearances in historical dramas.
What you might not know is that Yoshizawa-san and Yokohama-san have also forged deep connections with the worlds of anime and manga. Their roles in these adaptations have earned high praise from both original manga enthusiasts and anime fans alike. Let’s take a closer look at some of their notable works!
Character Leapt Out of 2D!? Yoshizawa Ryou-san’s Works
Yoshizawa Ryou-san has an impressive resume of live-action adaptations based on manga, including his roles as Ein Sei and Hyou in 『Kingdom』 and Sano Manjirou in 『Tokyo Revengers』. His portrayal of Okita Sougo in 『Gintama』 was particularly buzz-worthy, with fans exclaiming, “He’s literally Okita himself!” and “There’s an incredibly handsome guy!”. More recently, he surprised fans with his comedic turn as Mori Ranmaru in 『Babanbababanbanbanpaia』, which premiered just about a month after 『Kokuhou』, showcasing his incredibly wide acting range.
Yoshizawa-san has also lent his voice to anime productions. In 『Sora no Aosa wo Shiru Hito yo』 (which can be translated as “Her Blue Sky”), he masterfully voiced both the 31-year-old Kanemuro Shinnosuke and his 18-year-old high school self, Shinno. He brilliantly differentiated the same character across different ages using only his voice, and even performed a singing scene, allowing audiences to fully appreciate the charm of his vocal talents.
Furthermore, he appeared as a guest character, Rody Soul, in 『Boku no Hero Academia THE MOVIE World Heroes Mission』. His performance was so seamless that “it felt too natural,” and many anime fans admitted “they didn’t even notice until they saw the end credits,” demonstrating his exceptional voice acting prowess.
Grateful Fans! Yokohama Ryuusei-san’s Works
Yokohama Ryuusei-san has also starred in numerous live-action adaptations of manga. He played Yuri Kyohei, a pink-haired delinquent high school student, in 『Hajimete Koi wo Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi』 (which can be translated as “A Story to Read on the Day You First Fall in Love”), the sadistic high schooler Katokura Keiichi in 『Nijiiro Days』, and Takatsuki Tsubaki, the heir to a long-established traditional Japanese confectionery shop, in 『Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru』 (which can be translated as “Something Is Amiss with Us”). Having appeared in many shoujo manga adaptations, his charming heartthrob roles are sure to give you that delightful “kyun-kyun” feeling (a fluttering heart).
A quintessential work that highlights Yokohama-san’s dedication to source material is the movie 『Usogui』. Embodying the mysterious genius gambler Madarame Baku, he dyed his hair silver, just like the original character.
Beyond his striking silver, center-parted visual, fans particularly admired his respectful approach to the original work. It’s a well-known anecdote that when the initial script featured props different from the manga, Yokohama-san personally convinced the directors to revert to the original details. Fans showered him with praise, saying things like, “His respect for the original work is incredible,” “I’m nothing but grateful,” and “I owe him a lifetime of gratitude.”
Additionally, Yokohama Ryuusei-san has experience in 2.5D stage productions, such as his role as Hinata Hajime in 『Super Danganronpa 2 THE STAGE ~Sayounara Zetsubou Gakuen~』 (which can be translated as “Super Danganronpa 2 THE STAGE ~Goodbye Despair Academy~”). He truly is an actor with extensive connections to anime, manga, and game fans.
Want to See Them Together? Check Out These Co-Starring Works!
If you’re eager to see Yoshizawa Ryou-san and Yokohama Ryuusei-san co-star, you absolutely must check out 『Kamen Rider Fourze』 and 『Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji』!
『Kamen Rider Fourze』 is a tokusatsu series that also marks Yokohama Ryuusei-san’s drama debut. Yoshizawa Ryou-san played Sakuta Ryuusei (Kamen Rider Meteor), while Yokohama-san appeared as Iishi Jiro, Sakuta’s close companion. Episodes 17 and 18 delve into their shared past, revealing the events that led to Sakuta transforming into Meteor.
Incidentally, Yokohama-san later went on to play Hikari (ToQ 4gou) in 『Ressha Sentai ToQger』, also taking on a main character role in a tokusatsu production, just like Yoshizawa-san.
Furthermore, in 『Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji』 (which can be translated as “Wolf Girl and Black Prince”), Yokohama-san played Hibiya Ken, the protagonist’s kind and helpful companion, while Yoshizawa Ryou-san portrayed Kusakabe Yuu, a charming glasses-wearing character. Hibiya Ken’s caring personality shines through Yokohama-san’s energetic performance. On the other hand, Kusakabe Yuu’s appeal lies in the captivating contrast between his appearance with and without glasses, a role that allows audiences to enjoy Yoshizawa-san’s versatile expressions.
The acting prowess of Yoshizawa Ryou-san and Yokohama Ryuusei-san can be thoroughly enjoyed across a variety of anime and manga related works. Be sure to experience their diverse visuals and performances, which offer a different flavor from what you see in 『Kokuhou』!
《Hashibiroko》
