1. Life
Masanobu Takashima's personal background is deeply rooted in the Japanese entertainment industry, with both his parents being notable figures.
1.1. Birth and Family
Masanobu Takashima was born on October 27, 1966, in Tokyo, Japan. He is the third son of actor and television host Tadao Takashima and actress and singer Hanayo Sumi. His elder brother is actor Masahiro Takashima, and his sister-in-law is actress Sylvia Grab. His uncle is Hiroyuki Takashima, and his cousin is the violinist Chisako Takashima. Tragically, his eldest brother, Michio, was killed by a housekeeper in August 1964, at the age of five months, making Masanobu the third son in the family.
1.2. Education
Takashima attended Seijo Gakuen Junior and Senior High School before pursuing higher education at Seijo University. He graduated from the Faculty of Literature, Department of Arts.
2. Career
Masanobu Takashima's career as an actor began under unique circumstances, evolving significantly over time to encompass a wide range of roles.
2.1. Debut and Early Career
Initially, Masanobu Takashima aspired to become a film director. However, during his university years, he incurred a debt of approximately 2.80 M JPY from his independent film productions. His father covered this debt, and to repay him, Takashima decided to pursue acting. He began his journey in the entertainment industry by working as an assistant to both his father and his brother. Through his brother's introduction, he was presented to a producer, which led to his acting debut in 1988. In his early career, he was often cast in roles portraying good-natured young men.
2.2. Development of Acting Career
For a considerable period after his debut, Takashima was primarily known for playing "good-guy" characters. However, around 2011, his career underwent a notable shift, with an increasing number of roles as antagonists and villains. This transition allowed him to expand his acting range significantly, showcasing his ability to portray a broader spectrum of complex characters. This development was widely recognized, with many noting how he successfully subverted his earlier "good-guy" image.
2.3. Major Works
Takashima has made extensive contributions to both film and television, starring in numerous notable productions.
2.3.1. Films
Takashima has appeared in a variety of films, demonstrating his versatility across different genres.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Family Rondo | Shuji | |
| 1989 | Godzilla vs. Biollante | Major Sho Kuroki | |
| 1990 | Yamada Babaa ni Hanataba o | Masato Tokura | |
| 1993 | Niji no Hashi | Fujita | |
| 1993 | Shuraba no Ningen Gaku | Heikichi Asada | Lead role |
| 2000 | Hawk/B Plan | SAT member Oda | |
| 2004 | Infection | Dr. Haruya Uozumi | |
| 2007 | Tsuribaka Nisshi 18: Hama-chan Su-san Seto no Yakusoku | Shohei Takahara | |
| 2007 | Mari and the Three Puppies | Keiichi Yasuda | |
| 2008 | L: Change the World | Daisuke Matoba | |
| 2009 | The General Rouge no Gaisen | Toshihiro Numata | |
| 2009 | 20th Century Boys 3: Our Flag | Earth Defense Force Member | |
| 2011 | Detective in the Bar | Man who kidnapped "I" (Kato) | |
| 2012 | Rinjo: The Movie | Shin Tachihara | |
| 2015 | Assassination Classroom | Akira Takaoka | |
| 2015 | April Fools | Detective Ono | |
| 2018 | Laplace's Witch | Toru Takeo | |
| 2018 | Hibiki | Masanori Kanda | |
| 2020 | Apparel Designer | Yūji Fujimura | Lead role |
| 2020 | Howling Village | Akira Morita | |
| 2020 | Masked Ward | Tadokoro | |
| 2021 | We Couldn't Become Adults | Takayuki Onda | |
| 2024 | The Floor Plan | Kiyotsugu Morigaki | |
| 2025 | Demon City | Kotaro Shinozuka |
2.3.2. Television Dramas
Takashima has an extensive list of television drama appearances, including numerous lead roles and roles in critically acclaimed Taiga dramas and Asadora.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Jun-chan no Ōenka | Kintaro Ushiyama | Asadora |
| 1989 | Heart ni Hi wo Tsukete! | Ryohei Iwashita | |
| 1990-2002 | HOTEL | Ippei Akagawa | Lead role; 5 seasons |
| 1990 | Tokai no Mori | Shinsuke Yahashi | Lead role |
| 1991 | Taiheiki | Ashikaga Tadayoshi | Taiga drama |
| 1991 | Tales of the Unusual ("Black Magic") | Hiroshi Hasegawa | Lead role |
| 1991 | Tales of the Unusual ("Time Scooter") | Lead | Lead role |
| 1992 | New Year's Mixed Bath Happiness Inn Story: Love's Open-Air Bath | Lead | Lead role |
| 1992 | Junior: Ai no Kankei | Heima Inagi | Lead role |
| 1992 | Itoko Doshi | Atsushi Kawashima | Lead role |
| 1993 | New Year's Mixed Bath Happiness Inn Story: Love's Open-Air Bath | Lead | Lead role |
| 1993 | The Emperor's Cook | Tokuzo Akiyama | Lead role |
| 1993 | Double Kitchen | Shinobu Hanaoka | Lead role |
| 1993 | Nakitai Yoru mo Aru (Episode 12: "The Wedding Bell That Doesn't Ring") | Takeshi | |
| 1993-1994 | Onna Kenji no Sōsa File | Kazuki Akitsu | |
| 1994 | Oneesan no Asa Gaeri | Shinpei Takayama | |
| 1995 | For You | Morio Kobayashi | |
| 1995 | Hōsō Kisha Monogatari | Junichi Sugiura | |
| 1996 | Hideyoshi | Toyotomi Hidenaga | Taiga drama |
| 1997 | Kimi ga Jinsei no Toki | Shinichi Tsuzuki | Lead role |
| 1997 | Shinkansen '97 Koi Monogatari | Daisuke Hayami | Lead role |
| 1997 | Aguri | Akira Hayashi | Asadora |
| 1998 | Kaze ni Nare Tori ni Nare | Tatsuo | |
| 1998-1999 | Shin Ude ni Oboeari Yorozuya Heishiro Katsujinken | Heishiro Jinna | Lead role |
| 1999 | Doraku Bengoshi | Mikata no Seigi | Lead role |
| 1999 | Inaka de Kurasō yo | Sota Okamura | Lead role |
| 2000 | Gekai Arimori Saeko ("Mother...") | Akito Yuki | |
| 2000 | Virtual Girl (Episode 3) | Kenichi Mikami | |
| 2000-2004 | Omatsuri Bengoshi Sawada Goro Series | Goro Sawada | Lead role |
| 2001 | Bubble | Tetsuya Sudo | Lead role |
| 2001 | Jiken Kisha Uragami Shinsuke Series | Shinsuke Uragami | Lead role |
| 2001 | Jutte Hito | Genshichi | Lead role |
| 2002 | Kihishitsu no Kaijin "Asuka" Hen | Mitsuhiko Asami | Lead role |
| 2002 | Sanbiki ga Kiru! | Takuma Aoyagi | Lead role |
| 2002-2005 | Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho | Keisuke Shiina | Lead role; 5 seasons |
| 2003 | Shiroi Kage Sono Monogatari no Hajimari to Inochi no Kioku | Teppei Tsubota | |
| 2003 | Musashi MUSASHI | Hyōgonosuke Yagyū | Taiga drama |
| 2003 | TRICK (Season 3, Episodes 5-6) | Yoji Akachi | |
| 2004 | Batsu Kare | Yohei Sakuma | |
| 2005 | Kensatsukan Kisogawa | Jo Kisogawa | Lead role |
| 2005 | Kiken na Aneki | Ikuo Takeda | |
| 2006 | Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi ("Soko ni Iru!") | ||
| 2006 | Jinsei wa Full Course | Shintaro Makimura | Lead role |
| 2007 | Chushingura: Yozeiin no Inbou | Naganori Asano | |
| 2007 | Byakkotai | Yasuemon Sakai / Torao Sakai | |
| 2007 | Matsumoto Seicho Special: Chiho-shi wo Kau Onna | Ryuji Sugimoto | |
| 2007 | Tokyo Eki Osumono Azukari Sho Series | Kohei Mochizuki | Lead role |
| 2007 | Kuroi Haru | Toshiki Iimori | Lead role |
| 2007 | Teresa Teng Monogatari: Watashi no Ie wa Yama no Mukou | Minoru Funaki | |
| 2007 | Utsu e no Fukushu: Zetsubo Kara no Fukkatsu | Himself (documentary section) | |
| 2007 | 20 Years After the Korean Air Bombing: The Men Who Caught Kim Hyun-hee | Masayuki Sunakawa | Lead role |
| 2008 | Arigato! Champy: Nihon Hatsu no Mōdōken Tanjo Monogatari | Kenichi Shioya | Lead role |
| 2008 | Danso no Reijin: Kawashima Yoshiko no Shogai | Puyi | |
| 2009-2016 | Totsugawa Keiji no Shozo | Shōzō Totsugawa | Lead role |
| 2009-2010 | Rinjo | Masumi Tatehara | 2 seasons |
| 2009 | MR. BRAIN (Episode 1) | Kenzo Doi | |
| 2009 | Tenchijin | Sōemon Higuchi | Taiga drama |
| 2010 | Bishoku Camera Man Hoshii Yutaka no Jikenbo Series | Yutaka Hoshii | Lead role |
| 2010 | Waga Ya no Rekishi | Hideo Itokawa | |
| 2010 | Katsura Chizuru Shinsatsu Niroku | Yotaro Katsura | |
| 2011 | Sengoku Shippuden Futari no Gunshi: Hideyoshi ni Tenka wo Toraseta Otoko-tachi | Genzo | |
| 2011 | Fuyu no Sakura | Koichi Ishikawa | |
| 2011 | Ikemen desu ne | Hiroshi Ando | |
| 2011-2023 | Doctors: Saikyō no Meii | Taku Moriyama | 3 seasons and a final special |
| 2012 | Hōkago wa Mystery to Tomo ni | Daito Soshigaya | |
| 2012 | Haiiro no Niji | Ken Amamiya | |
| 2012 | Hakōki | Chobei Shiraosa | |
| 2012 | Matsumoto Seicho Botsugo 20 Nen Drama Special: Jūmanbun no Ichi no Gūzen | Kyoichi Yamaga | |
| 2013 | Saki | Shigeyuki Sudo | |
| 2013 | Double Meaning: Yes or No? | Kengo Kazami | |
| 2013 | Honey Trap | Kyosuke Kobayashi | |
| 2013 | SPEC: Zero | Captain Iriyama | |
| 2014 | Emergency Interrogation Room (Episode 1) | Koichi Terao | |
| 2014 | Chi no Wadachi | Kohei Sono | |
| 2014 | Matsumoto Seicho: Tsuyoki Ari | Yoshio Saeki | |
| 2014 | Nobunaga no Chef Part2 | Takeda Shingen | |
| 2014 | Kabuka Bōraku | Tetsuya Nito | |
| 2015 | Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi Summer Special 2015 ("Arashi no Naka no Tsūhō") | Section Chief Mitamura | |
| 2015 | Keisei Saimin no Otoko (Part 3: "Oni to Yobareta Otoko: Matsunaga Yasuzaemon") | Hayato Ikeda | |
| 2016 | Tensai Bakabon: Kazoku no Kizuna | Policeman | Also appeared in Tensai Bakabon 2 (2017) and Tensai Bakabon 3 (2018) |
| 2016 | 99.9 Criminal Lawyer (Season 1, Episode 7) | Hideki Kawamura | |
| 2016 | Shizumanu Taiyo (Part 2) | Tetsuya Todoroki | |
| 2016 | Keishicho Sosa Nika: Goma Ayaka Tokumei Shiki Kan | Tsuyoshi Goto | |
| 2016 | Cain and Abel | Takayuki Takada | |
| 2016 | Sanada Maru | Hōjō Ujimasa | Taiga drama |
| 2017 | Joshu Seven | Yujiro Naito | |
| 2017 | Kurokawa no Techō | Tsuneo Hashida | |
| 2017 | Saki ni Umareta Dake no Boku | Keisuke Kagaya | |
| 2018 | Fūunji-tachi: Rangaku Revolution Hen | Hikokuro Takayama | |
| 2018 | Headhunter (Episode 2) | Taizo Gohara | |
| 2018 | Hagetaka | Seiichiro Takimoto | (Episodes 4-6) |
| 2018 | Shin Hannin | Yasuhide Haru | |
| 2018 | Endo Kenichi to Kudo Kankuro no Benkyo Sasete Itadakimasu (Episode 6) | Himself | |
| 2019 | Ieyasu, Edo wo Tateru | Ōkubo Nagayasu | |
| 2019 | Suna no Utsuwa | Kenichi Miki | |
| 2019 | Meitantei Akechi Kogoro (Night 2) | Masakazu Sawai | |
| 2019 | TWO WEEKS | Kaname Shibasaki | |
| 2019 | Muyōan Inkyo Shugyō 3 | Hikoemon Amano | |
| 2020 | Byōin no Naoshikata: Doctor Arihara no Chōsen | Ryosuke Kurashima | |
| 2020 | M Ai Subeki Hito ga Ite | Ohama | |
| 2020 | Siren no Zange | Kenji Miyato | |
| 2020 | Yoru ga Dorehodo Kurakutemo | Kenji Miyato | |
| 2021 | Red Eyes: Kanshi Sōsa-han | Kazuki Toba | |
| 2021 | Karei-naru Ichizoku | Hideyuki Akutagawa | |
| 2022 | Chimudondon | Koji Futatsubashi | Asadora |
| 2023 | Holiday: Edo no Kyujitsu | Tasuke | |
| 2023 | Gōriteki ni Arienai: Kamizuru Ryoko no Kaimei (Episode 1) | Kyoichiro Kanzaki | |
| 2023 | The Mystery Day: Yumeijin Renzoku Shisso Jiken no Nazo wo Oe | Kazuhiro Koiso | |
| 2023 | Ōoku: The Inner Chambers (Season 2, "Medical Arc") | Tokugawa Ieyoshi | |
| 2024 | Garasu no Shiro | Fuminori Kurata | |
| 2024 | Hiroshige Blue | Takeuchi Sonpachi | |
| 2024 | Ogon no Toki: Hattori Kintaro Monogatari | Eikyo Yoshimura | |
| 2025 | Aibou (Season 23, Episode 9) | Hirokazu Hiyama | |
| 2025 | Souzoku Tantei (Episode 1) | Shinichi Sakuraba | |
| 2025 | Akinai Sedai Kin to Gin 2 | Chubei |
2.3.3. Other Activities
Beyond film and television, Takashima has also participated in various other media. He has performed in stage plays, including the lead role of Siddhartha in the musical Buddha (1998) and J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2000). He has also lent his voice to dubbing roles, such as Billy the Kid (portrayed by Emilio Estevez) in the Japanese dubs of Young Guns and Young Guns II.
Takashima has been a host for several variety shows, including MOGITATE! Banana Taishi, Chikyu ZIG ZAG, and Doki Doki Sekai Daiboken. His presence in commercials is extensive, endorsing products for companies like Dainihon Jochugiku (Kincho), Pokka, Gekkeikan, Lawson, Ajinomoto, Japan Airlines, Riso Kagaku Corporation (Print Gocco), House Foods, Asahi Breweries, All Nippon Airways, Digital Tu-Ka Shikoku, Panasonic, Fujifilm (Utsurundesu), Daihatsu, Daito Kentaku, Mitsubishi Oil (now Eneos), Chugai Pharmaceutical (Shin Gromont), Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare, Kirin Brewery, Marusan Securities, Rohto Pharmaceutical, Lion Corporation (Denter), Megane Super, and Yamada Denki.
He has also released music, including the duet "Dō Suru no Akasaka" with Kuniko Yamada (1990), which was an insert song for the TBS program MOGITATE! Banana Taishi, and "Tsuki ni Hoeru" (1993), the theme song for the Toei film Shuraba no Ningen Gaku.
3. Awards and Recognition
Masanobu Takashima has received several accolades for his acting prowess throughout his career.
- Japan Academy Prize
- Newcomer of the Year: 1991 for Godzilla vs. Biollante and Yamada Babaa ni Hanataba o
- Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: 1994 for Niji no Hashi
- Nikkan Sports Film Award
- Yujiro Ishihara Newcomer Award: 1993 for Niji no Hashi and Shuraba no Ningen Gaku
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Art Festival
- Excellence Award (60th)
4. Personal Life
Masanobu Takashima's personal life has also been a subject of public interest, particularly his marriages and the birth of his children.
4.1. Marriage and Children
Takashima married actress Miwon on March 8, 2008, with their wedding ceremony held on August 31, 2008, at Hie Shrine in Nagatachō, Tokyo, followed by a reception at the Imperial Hotel. They officially registered their marriage on September 8, 2008. However, in July 2011, reports emerged that the couple was undergoing divorce proceedings. On February 1, 2012, Takashima appeared in the Tokyo District Court during the divorce trial, stating his willingness to "abandon 25 years of acting career" to finalize the divorce. On November 9, 2012, the Tokyo Family Court ruled in favor of the divorce, stating that the marriage was "irreparably broken." The divorce was officially finalized by November 26, 2012.
On September 16, 2015, Takashima remarried a non-celebrity woman who is 14 years his junior. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, on August 21, 2017. Their second child, also a son, was born on March 16, 2022.
5. Episodes and Anecdotes
Throughout his career, Masanobu Takashima has shared various insights and experiences, revealing aspects of his personality and acting approach.
One of his unique talents is the ability to move his ears. He is also a skilled drummer, possessing his own drum set at his family home. Takashima is known for being fastidious and serious, traits that are often acknowledged by those around him.
He is a method actor who deeply immerses himself in his roles. Co-stars have noted that depending on the character he is portraying, it can sometimes be difficult to approach him before takes, as he remains intensely focused on his performance.
Takashima is particularly famous for his catchphrases in the HOTEL television series: "Neesan, jiken desu" (Sister, it's an incident!) and "Moushiwake gozaimasen" (I am very sorry). He later revealed that the frequent bowing required for the "Moushiwake gozaimasen" line took a significant toll on his body. During a single day of filming, he would perform the bowing gesture nearly 30 times, including rehearsals. Over six months of continuous filming, this repetitive action led to a slipped disc, forcing him to wear a corset and receive injections while continuing to perform the bows.
Reflecting on his early career, Takashima recalled that his acting style, influenced by his background in small theater, was initially characterized by a loud voice and exaggerated, impulsive performances. However, during the filming of Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989), director Kazuki Ohmori taught him the importance of prioritizing emotion over clear articulation. This guidance helped Takashima learn to truly embody the feelings of the characters he played, leading to a significant improvement in his acting. He also adopted the habit of quick costume changes, a practice he learned from costume staff who told him that "good actors change costumes quickly."