Etsushi Toyokawa

1.1. Early Life and Education

Etsushi Toyokawa was born on March 18, 1962, in Yao, Osaka, Japan. He grew up with an older sister, three years his senior, under the care of his parents who were engaged in business. Due to his parents' busy work schedules, he often ate freely at home, leading him to be a chubby and quiet child. During his elementary school years, he aspired to be a tatami mat craftsman, finding the work of a local tatami shop owner fascinating.

Toyokawa's childhood was marked by frequent family relocations due to his parents' work, making it challenging for him to form lasting friendships. He never experienced bullying, but he struggled with dialects; when he moved from Osaka to Chiba, he was teased for his Osaka dialect, and upon returning to Osaka after adapting to Chiba's speech, he was again mocked for his accent. He and his sister shared a room until he was in high school, sleeping in a bunk bed. Influenced by his sister, he often read shōjo manga like Ribon and Bessatsu Margaret.

As he considered his future during high school, his sister was attending Doshisha University in Kyoto. His father suggested he also attend Doshisha and live with his sister in Kyoto. However, not keen on continuing to live with his sister after high school, he opted to attend Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyōgo Prefecture. Initially, Toyokawa had no intention of going to university; he had dreamed of traveling the world after high school, believing he would only discover his true calling after experiencing the world. His parents, however, strongly opposed this, insisting he complete university before embarking on his travels, leading him to enroll.

1.2. Early Career and Breakthrough

While at Kwansei Gakuin University, Toyokawa began living in a dormitory. He had no prior interest in theater until he noticed the drama club's activities from his room. Invited by a club member, he casually joined. His stage debut in August or September, in a small role in an original play from the then-popular underground theater scene, was hard to describe, perhaps not even human, but the thrill of performing in front of an audience captivated him, leading him to fully immerse himself in acting.

Driven by a desire to pursue acting seriously, Toyokawa dropped out of university in his second year and moved to Tokyo. He was deeply moved by a performance of the "Under Thirty" (劇団3○○) theatrical troupe, led by Eri Watanabe, and immediately after the show, he directly appealed to join the troupe, which he did in 1983. He made his official stage debut in Mabuta no Haha, written and directed by Watanabe, and remained with the troupe for seven years, appearing in numerous productions until his departure in 1989.

After leaving "Under Thirty," Toyokawa joined his current agency, Alpha Agency, through Watanabe's introduction. In 1989, he made his film debut in director Takahiko Watanabe's Kimi wa Boku ni Suki ni Naru, cast through an audition as a colleague of Masaya Kato. This marked the beginning of his extensive career in film and television. He made his first television appearance as a guest in the final episode of Fuji TV's Aitsu ga Trouble in 1990, followed by roles in NHK's Akazukin Kaitō Ranma in 1991 and other productions. He also appeared in Takeshi Kitano's 1990 film Boiling Point (also known as 3-4X10月).

His breakthrough came in 1992 when he co-starred with Shinji Takeda in the television drama Night Head, playing one of two brothers with supernatural powers. Despite being a late-night program, it gained a cult following. In the same year, he starred as Mutsuki Kishida in Joji Matsuoka's film Kira Kira Hikaru. These roles brought him national recognition, earning him multiple newcomer awards, including the Japan Academy Film Prize for Newcomer of the Year and the Élan d'Or Award for Newcomer of the Year, making him particularly popular among women in their twenties. He continued to appear in popular dramas such as Kono Yo no Hate and Kono Ai ni Ikite in 1994, further cementing his public recognition.

In 1995, he starred as Shigeru Akiba in Shunji Iwai's film Love Letter, for which he received the Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role and a Popularity Award. In the same year, he starred in Tell Me That You Love Me, portraying a hearing-impaired painter who deepens his love while overcoming his disability. The drama achieved a peak viewership rating of 28.1%.

2.1. Filmography

Toyokawa has starred in numerous films, often taking on diverse and challenging roles.

2.2. Television Dramas

Toyokawa has also made a significant impact on television, starring in many acclaimed dramas.

2.3. Other Media and Stage Work

Beyond traditional film and television, Toyokawa has explored various other forms of media and maintained a connection with the stage.

3.1. Original Works and Screenplays

Etsushi Toyokawa has also ventured into writing and directing, demonstrating his artistic vision behind the camera. His works include:

• Yoshiharu Tsuge World: Taikutsu na Heya (1998, TV Tokyo) - Original story, screenplay, direction
• Yoshiharu Tsuge World: Natsukashii Hito (1998, TV Tokyo) - Original story, screenplay, direction
• Bishōjo H: Chichi, Kaeru... (1998, Fuji TV) - Original story, screenplay, direction
• Tales of the Unusual 2000 Spring Special: Hiyasu Onna (2000, Fuji TV) - Original story, screenplay, direction
• The Gift of the Magi: Kenja no Kōshin (2001, Hiroshima Home TV) - Original story only
• Manzai Couple (2001, TBS) - Original story, screenplay, direction
• LOVERS: St. Sebastian's Palm (2003, TBS) - Original story, screenplay, direction
• Special Drama: Ren'ai Shōsetsu Jūhachi no Natsu (2006, TBS) - Original story, screenplay, direction

As a television director, Toyokawa had a distinctive characteristic of casting directors or TV directors in important roles in his early works. For instance, in "Chichi, Kaeru...", the father of the heroine was played by Shunsaku Kawage, director of Kono Ai ni Ikite and Hoshi ni Natta Shōnen. In "Hiyasu Onna," the deceased lover frozen by the heroine was played by Jinsei Tsuji, director of Sennen Tabibito. In "Taikutsu na Heya" and "Natsukashii Hito," the protagonist Tsugibe was played by Ryosuke Hashiguchi, director of Hatsukoi and Gururi no Koto.. In Manzai Couple, he cast Miho Nakayama, an actress from Yoshimoto New Comedy, to play the heroine's later years, adding a playful touch.

3.2. Commercial Appearances

Toyokawa has been a prominent face in numerous television commercials for major brands, lending his image to various products and campaigns.

• Kikkoman Triangle (shochu)
• Japan Tobacco Seven Stars (tobacco) - This was the last TV commercial before the enforcement of Article 40 of the Tobacco Business Act.
• Audi
• KDDI
• Sapporo Beer Black Label (co-starring Tsutomu Yamazaki)
• Kirin Brewery
  • "Enjuku" (happoshu), "Sumikiri" (new genre beer) (2013-)
  • "Kirin Ichiban Shibori Raw Beer" (2021-) (Oishii Beer e campaign)
  • "Kirin Ichiban Shibori Sugar Zero" (2023-) (Niwa Shigoto no Ato and Fried Potato campaigns; Ii Jidai campaign (2024-); Daiben suru Musume and Mitometakunai Chichi campaigns (2025-))
• Apple Computer - Narrator
• Dainihon Jochugiku Kinchoil
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical SOYJOY (2007-)
• Nissan Teana
• AC Japan World Food Programme "Hope" (2008) - Narrator
• Asahi Beer Cooldraft (happoshu)
• Recruit Agent
• NTT West
• Toyota Group
  • Toyota
    • Toyota Corolla Spacio
    • Toyota Crown (2015)
  • Daihatsu Tanto Custom (2010-, 2013-) - As Chief Editor of CAR & More. Co-starred with Miho Kanno and Go Ayano. (For the second-generation late model: Atarashii ne (Fish Delivery/Office Love) campaigns (2010-); For the third-generation early model: Teaser, Style, and Interior campaigns (2013-))
  • Toyota Tsusho (2015-)
• Nissin Foods Nissin Raoh (2011-)
• Japan Gateway / La Beaute Japon "Rigaos"
• Ajinomoto "Nabe Cube" (2015-)
• Sumitomo Mitsui Card Sumitomo Mitsui VISA Platinum Card (2016-)
• Kao Attack Neo Anti-bacterial EX W Power (2017-)
• Plus Alpha Consulting Talent Palette (2019-) (Motivation and Future campaigns)
• GYAO! (2019-2020)
• Cybozu Kintone (2023-) (Tanoshisō na Buchō and Hitosujinawa de wa Ikanai Gyōmu campaigns)