Hiroki Narimiya

1.1. Childhood and Education

Narimiya was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, though his parents originated from Okinawa Prefecture. His parents divorced when he was young. A pivotal moment in his youth occurred when his mother passed away during his third year of junior high school, at the age of 14. Following this tragedy, Narimiya chose not to pursue high school education, instead taking on various part-time jobs, such as working for moving companies and in transportation, to support himself and his younger brother. He took on the responsibility of preparing daily lunchboxes for his brother, demonstrating his commitment to his family. This period of his life led him to consider what he could achieve without a high school diploma, ultimately guiding him towards a career in entertainment.

1.2. Early Activities

Narimiya's path to becoming an actor began with a promise he made to his late mother to pursue acting seriously. While working multiple part-time jobs, he was scouted and subsequently passed an audition. He made his acting debut in 2000 in the stage play "Horobikaketa Jinrui, Sono Ai no Honshitsu to wa" (Perishing Humankind, What is the Essence of Its Love?), where he was chosen for the role of Kane from approximately 3,000 auditioning actors. For this debut, he performed under his birth name, Hiroshige Narimiya. The following year, in February 2001, he made his film debut in "Oboreru Sakana," a Toei production.

2.1. Acting Career

Narimiya's acting career spanned numerous significant roles in films, television dramas, and stage productions, earning him both critical acclaim and widespread popularity.

2.2. Fashion and Modeling Activities

Beyond his acting prowess, Narimiya was also recognized as a significant figure in fashion, influencing youth culture and collaborating on design projects.

2.3. Advertising Activities

Narimiya participated in numerous advertising campaigns for a variety of brands, further cementing his public image and popularity.

• J-PHONE (2002)
• House Food Bistro Chef (2003)
• Animax 5th Anniversary CM (2003)
• JAL Hokkaido Campaign (2004)
• Vodafone (2004)
• House Food Shin Curry Rice Sengen (2005)
• SEA BREEZE (2006)
• UNIQLO (2007)
• Takara Shuzo "TAKARA CAN CHU-HI Jikashibori" (2007)
• GUNZE (2008)
• Hoyu "Men's Beauteen" (2008-2009)
• Morinaga Milk "MORINAGAMILK DOUBLE ESPRESSO" (2009)
• Cadbury "STRIDE" (2010)
• Symantec "NORTON 2011" (2010)
• Cosmo Life "COSMO WATER" (2012-2016)
• YAMATO HOME CONVENIENCE (2012)
• Philips (2012-)
• Sapporo Brewery "WHITE BELG" (2014)
• Daihatsu "Move" (2014)
• GlaxoSmithKline "Schumitect" (2015-2016)
• Final Fantasy Record Keeper (2016)

3.1. Drug Allegations and Media Reports

The events leading to Narimiya's retirement began in December 2016, when the Japanese photo weekly magazine *FRIDAY* published an article alleging his use of various drugs, including cocaine. The report included photographs purportedly taken inside Narimiya's home, which the magazine claimed to have obtained from a friend, identified as "A". Narimiya's then-agency, Top Coat, immediately issued a statement refuting the allegations as "factually baseless." Narimiya himself expressed strong indignation, vehemently denying ever having used drugs. He voluntarily underwent a drug test, and on December 7, 2016, a urine test confirmed a negative result.

3.2. Retirement Announcement

Despite the negative drug test, Narimiya announced his retirement from the entertainment industry via a fax sent to TV news channels on December 9, 2016. In a handwritten message, he stated his reasons for leaving, expressing that he felt "betrayed by a friend he truly trusted" and had "fallen into a trap set by various people." He conveyed his desire to retire from the entertainment world, stating that he could no longer bear to cause further trouble to his colleagues and family. This sudden announcement, made amidst the ongoing controversy, shocked the public and the industry.

3.3. Related Controversies

Around the time of Narimiya's retirement, additional controversies surfaced. Masked wrestler The Great Sasuke, a member of Michinoku Pro Wrestling, posted on his blog, implying that Narimiya's retirement might lead to an admission of harassment his son had suffered a decade prior. During a press conference on December 14, Sasuke clarified that the "harassment" was "sexual harassment," directly confirming he was referring to Narimiya. He explained that his son and Narimiya had met in a professional setting, and the incident occurred shortly after their first meeting. Sasuke further revealed that his son had been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of the incident and was receiving treatment overseas. He noted that his son had become reclusive and unresponsive to external information. Sasuke stated he had no intention of suing Narimiya but wished to have a discussion with Narimiya's agency to convey his intentions.

4.1. Life Outside Entertainment

After his retirement from entertainment in 2016, Narimiya began engaging in various activities under his birth name, Hiroshige Narimiya. He opened an Instagram account and, on his birthday in September 2019, launched an official website under the name "Hiroshige Narimiya." His activities included producing his own line of goods, such as mugs and bath salts, based on his own artwork. He also became involved in creative work and product design as an advisor for companies and well-known brands. In April 2020, he made a surprise appearance during an Instagram Live session hosted by actor Hiro Mizushima, engaging in a 20-minute conversation that garnered significant attention.

4.2. Return to Acting

In October 2019, some media outlets, including NEWS Post Seven, reported that Narimiya would return to acting in the TV Asahi drama *Aibou*, citing efforts by Yutaka Mizutani. However, *Aibou* screenwriter Yasuhiro Koshimizu denied this report on Twitter, and Narimiya himself refuted the news on his Instagram and Twitter accounts on October 3, calling it "Fake news." His former agency, Top Coat, and TV Asahi also stated they had no such plans.

In September 2024, it was reported that Narimiya would officially return to the entertainment industry and resume his acting career. Although some initial reports suggested he would continue using his birth name, he has since reverted to his stage name, Hiroki Narimiya, for his acting activities. On November 4, 2024, he made his first public appearance in eight years at a talk show held at the Suminoe Boat Race track. During the event, he personally confirmed his return to acting and revealed that he was currently filming a drama. His first project since his comeback is the ABEMA original drama "Shinu Hodo Aishite" (Love Me to Death), scheduled for streaming in March 2025, where he will play the lead role of Masato Kamiya.

5.1. Positive Evaluation

Throughout his career, Hiroki Narimiya received critical praise for his performances and achieved considerable public popularity. His "life-sized performance" as Noda in the drama "Gokusen" (2002) was particularly noted for earning him both serious acclaim and widespread recognition. He was honored with the 29th Elan d'Or Award for Newcomer, a prestigious award in the Japanese entertainment industry. In 2005, he received the Crystallized Style Award from Swarovski, recognizing him as a celebrity with "refined brilliance and creativity like crystal." His role as Toru Kai in "Aibou season 11" earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the 16th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix in 2012.

5.2. Criticism and Controversy

Narimiya's career was significantly impacted by controversies that emerged in 2016. Allegations of drug use, particularly cocaine, were widely reported by the weekly magazine *FRIDAY*. While Narimiya and his agency vehemently denied these claims, and a urine test showed a negative result, the intense public scrutiny ultimately led to his decision to retire. Additionally, around the same time, allegations of sexual harassment were made by masked wrestler The Great Sasuke, who claimed his son had suffered from the actor's actions a decade prior, resulting in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These incidents collectively contributed to a period of significant public criticism and a temporary end to his career.

5.3. Cultural Impact

Beyond his acting roles, Hiroki Narimiya left a notable mark on Japanese popular culture, particularly in the realm of fashion. His personal style and distinctive "Narimiya Cut" hairstyle became a trend among Japanese teenagers, solidifying his status as a fashion leader. His collaborations on clothing lines and appearances as a model further demonstrated his influence beyond the acting sphere. His career, marked by both artistic success and personal challenges, has made him a memorable figure in Japanese entertainment history.