Kentaro Sakaguchi
Kentaro Sakaguchi (Japanese: 坂口健太郎, Hepburn: Sakaguchi Kentarō; born July 11, 1991) is a Japanese actor and model known for his versatile roles in film, television, and international projects.[1] Standing at 183 cm tall with blood type O, he began his career as a model for Men's Non-no magazine in 2010 before transitioning to acting under Tristone Entertainment in 2014.[2][3] Sakaguchi gained prominence through youth-oriented romance films and dramas, including My Love Story!! (2015), where he played a supporting role, and No Longer Heroine (2015), marking one of his early breakthroughs.[2] His television work expanded with leading roles in series such as Signal (2018) as detective Saegusa Kento and A Girl of 35 (2020).[3] By the early 2020s, he had starred in critically acclaimed films like The Last 10 Years (2022) and Hell Dogs (2022), showcasing a shift toward more mature and dramatic characters.[2] In recent years, Sakaguchi has broadened his international appeal, debuting in Korean drama with What Comes After Love (2024), for which he received the Best Lead Actor (Male) award at the Global OTT Awards 2025.[4] He also featured in LISA's official short film music video for "DREAM" released on August 13, 2025.[5] Earlier accolades include the Best Artist Award (Actor) and Asia Celebrity Award at the 8th Asia Artist Awards.[3] As of November 2025, his recent projects include the guest role in the drama Romantics Anonymous (2025) and the lead in the upcoming film Banjo no Himawari.[3]Personal background
Early life
Kentaro Sakaguchi was born on July 11, 1991, in Tokyo, Japan. He spent his formative years in the dynamic urban environment of Tokyo, where the fast-paced city life shaped his early experiences.[6] As a child, Sakaguchi displayed a lively and attention-seeking personality, often compared to the mischievous character Crayon Shin-chan from the popular manga and anime series. He enjoyed standing out in group activities, such as preschool performances where he eagerly took on roles like the demon in traditional tales or the wolf in The Three Little Pigs, rather than more conventional parts. His free-spirited nature was evident in playful antics, including winning a nursery school race but continuing to run an extra lap until stopped by a teacher. During his school years, Sakaguchi's tall stature led to involvement in volleyball clubs, starting in middle school under a strict regimen that carried into high school, fostering discipline amid his otherwise whimsical tendencies.[7] Prior to entering the entertainment industry, Sakaguchi led an ordinary life focused on academics and sports in Tokyo. Around age 19, in 2010, he transitioned toward professional opportunities by passing the audition for Men's Non-no magazine's 25th model selection, marking the beginning of his public career.Family
Kentaro Sakaguchi's immediate family consists of his mother and an older sister born two years his senior. His father passed away suddenly at the age of 65, an event that deeply shocked Sakaguchi given their close, friend-like relationship; the two often went shopping for clothes together and shared open conversations about everything. This loss occurred during his early adulthood and prompted a stronger emotional connection with his remaining family members, particularly his mother, whom he now prioritizes and hugs every time they meet to provide the affection she no longer receives from his father.[8][9][10] His mother has played a pivotal role in supporting his career choices, offering unwavering encouragement when he decided to enter the entertainment industry rather than opposing it, and consistently backing him as his primary advocate. She frequently communicates with him via LINE—possibly more than anyone else—and watches all his television dramas, recording them to provide detailed feedback that motivates him. Additionally, she helps manage his household by cooking and cleaning during his busy schedules, demonstrating her deep understanding of his needs.[8]Career
Modeling
Kentaro Sakaguchi began his modeling career in 2010 at the age of 19, debuting as an exclusive model for the Japanese fashion magazine Men's Non-no after passing its 25th model audition.[11][12] He maintained this exclusive position with Men's Non-no for seven years, from 2010 to 2017, appearing in numerous features and securing multiple cover appearances, including a notable solo cover in 2015 that marked the first such feature for a model in 20 years.[13][14][12] During this period, Sakaguchi expanded his presence in the fashion industry by participating in major runway events, walking for brands at GirlsAward 2014 Spring/Summer, GirlsAward 2014 Autumn/Winter, and GirlsAward 2015 Spring/Summer.[15][16][17] In 2014, while continuing his modeling commitments, Sakaguchi transitioned to the entertainment agency Tristone Entertainment, which primarily managed his burgeoning acting pursuits but did not interrupt his print and runway work.[2][18]Acting
Kentaro Sakaguchi made his acting debut in 2014, portraying the supporting role of Shun in the film Shanti Days 365 Days, Happy Breath, marking his transition from modeling to on-screen performances.[2] His background in fashion modeling, which began in 2010 with Men's Non-no magazine, provided initial visibility that facilitated his entry into acting under Tristone Entertainment.[3] In 2015, he achieved his television debut as Ichikawa Manabu in the Nippon TV drama Yokokuhan: The Pain, appearing in episodes 4 and 5, which helped establish his presence in serialized storytelling.[1] Sakaguchi's breakthrough came with the lead role of Kento Saegusa in the 2018 Fuji TV series Signal, a police procedural where he played a detective connecting across time via a mysterious walkie-talkie to solve cold cases, earning praise for his intense portrayal of determination and vulnerability.[19] He reprised the character in the 2021 film adaptation Signal: Long-Term Unsolved Case Investigation The Movie, extending the narrative to a high-stakes conspiracy involving a government official's death, further solidifying his reputation for gripping dramatic roles.[20] Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, Sakaguchi took on leading roles in feature films that showcased his range in romantic and introspective genres. In 2017's The 100th Love with You, he starred as the male lead in a time-loop romance, marking his first prominent protagonist position and highlighting his ability to convey emotional depth in fantastical settings.[21] This was followed by the 2018 film Color Me True (also known as Tonight, at the Movies), where he played Kenji, a projectionist entangled in a magical love story with a film character, blending whimsy and heartfelt drama. In 2023's Side by Side, he led as Miyama, a bodyworker with spiritual sensitivities navigating loss and connection, demonstrating his skill in subtle, character-driven narratives.[22] More recently, Sakaguchi expanded into international collaborations with the 2024 Coupang Play series What Comes After Love, co-starring South Korean actress Lee Se-young as Choi Hong, a Korean student reuniting with her past love, aspiring writer Jungo Aoki (Sakaguchi), exploring themes of timing and second chances across cultures.[23] That same year, he appeared in the Netflix original Beyond Goodbye as Naruse, a heart transplant recipient whose new life intertwines with his donor's grieving fiancée, delving into identity, memory, and redemption in a poignant romance.[24] Looking ahead, Sakaguchi is set to star in several 2025 projects, including a guest role as Counselor Ando in Romantics Anonymous and Banjo no Himawari (also known as The Final Piece or The Sunflower on the Shogi Board) alongside Ken Watanabe as Keisuke Kamijo, a mystery-drama centered on resilience and family turmoil in the shogi world.[25][3][26]Filmography
Films
Kentaro Sakaguchi made his film debut in 2014 and has since appeared in a variety of live-action and animated films, often in leading or supporting roles.[3] His complete filmography is presented below in chronological order by release year.| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Shanti Days 365 Days, Happy Breath | Shun (supporting) |
| 2015 | My Love Story!! | Sunakawa Makoto (lead) |
| 2015 | Heroine Disqualified | Hiromitsu Kosuke (lead) |
| 2015 | At Home | Moriyama Jun (supporting) |
| 2015 | Our Little Sister | Fujii Tomoaki (supporting) |
| 2015 | Prophecy | Ichikawa Manabu (supporting) |
| 2015 | Her Granddaughter | Shinobu Dozono (supporting) |
| 2016 | Golden Orchestra! | Sakashita (lead) |
| 2016 | The Inerasable | Misawa Tetsuo (supporting) |
| 2016 | 64: Part 1 | Teshima (supporting) |
| 2016 | The Kodai Family | Kishimoto Kohei (supporting) |
| 2016 | 64: Part 2 | Teshima (supporting) |
| 2017 | The 100th Love with You | Hasegawa Riku (lead) |
| 2017 | Narratage | Ono Reiji (lead) |
| 2018 | Tonight, at Romance Theater | Makino Kenji (lead) |
| 2018 | The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps | Hoshino Yuya (lead) |
| 2018 | Modest Heroes | Doctor (voice, supporting)[2] |
| 2019 | And, Live | Shimizu Kiyotaka (lead) |
| 2019 | Final Fantasy XIV: The Father of Light the Movie | Iwamoto Akio (lead) |
| 2019 | Dragon Quest: Your Story | Prince Harry (voice)[27] |
| 2020 | Masked Ward | Hayami Shugo (lead) |
| 2021 | Signal: The Movie – Cold Case Investigation Unit[20] | Saegusa Kento (lead) |
| 2022 | The Last 10 Years | Manabe Kazuto (lead) |
| 2022 | Hell Dogs | Murooka Hideki (supporting) |
| 2023 | Side by Side | Miyama (lead) |
| 2024 | The Parades | Akira (lead) |
| 2025 | The Sunflower on the Shogi Board | Kamijo Keisuke (lead)[1] |
Television
Kentaro Sakaguchi made his television debut in 2015 and has since portrayed a diverse array of characters in Japanese dramas, including medical professionals, detectives, and romantic leads, across major networks like TBS, NTV, and Fuji TV. His roles often highlight his ability to convey emotional depth and intensity, contributing to both domestic series and international co-productions. Below is a chronological list of his television appearances, including guest roles and specials.| Year | Title | Role | Network | Episodes | Notable Co-stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Yokokuhan: The Pain (予告犯) | Ichikawa Manabu (guest, eps. 4-5) | WOWOW | 5 | Masahiro Higashide, Ryoma Takeuchi |
| 2015 | Kounodori (コウノドリ, Dr. Storks) | Shirakawa Ryo (supporting) | TBS | 10 | Takanotsume Ayano, Mido Hamada |
| 2016 | Toto Nee-chan (とと姉ちゃん) | Hoshino Takezo (supporting) | NHK | 156 | Wakaba Ryuuya, Tao Tsuchiya |
| 2016 | Itsuka Kono Koi o Omoidashite Kitto Naite Shimau (いつかこの恋を思い出してきっと泣いてしまう, Love That Makes You Cry) | Nakajo Haruta (supporting) | TBS | 10 | Kasumi Arimura, Kento Yamazaki |
| 2016 | Gappa Sensei (ガッパ先生, Sleepeeer Hit!) | Koizumi Jun (lead) | NTV | 10 | Yui Aragaki, Jun Kaname |
| 2016 | Mohouhan (模倣犯, special) | Koichi Amikawa (lead) | TV Tokyo | 1 (special) | None specified |
| 2017 | Tokyo Tarareba Musume (東京タラレバ娘) | KEY / Kagitani Haruki (supporting) | NTV | 10 | Yuri Tsunematsu, Nana Eikura, Yuko Oshima |
| 2017 | Gomen, Aishiteru (ごめん、愛してる) | Hyuga Satoru (supporting) | TBS | 10 | Masami Nagasawa, Takeru Satoh |
| 2017 | Kounodori Season 2 (コウノドリ 第2シリーズ, Dr. Storks Season 2) | Shirakawa Ryo (supporting) | TBS | 11 | Takanotsume Ayano, Mido Hamada |
| 2018 | Signal: Choki Mikaiketsu Jiken Sosahan (シグナル 長期未解決事件捜査班) | Saegusa Kento (lead) | Fuji TV | 10 | Kazuki Kitamura, Kenta Kiritani |
| 2019 | Innocence: Enzai Bengoshi (イノセンス 冤罪弁護士, Innocence, Fight against False Charges) | Kurokawa Taku (lead) | NTV | 10 | Takaaki Enoki, Ayaka Miyoshi |
| 2019 | Soshite, Ikiru (そして、生きる) | Shimizu Kiyotaka (lead) | WOWOW | 6 | Kasumi Arimura, Masahiro Higashide |
| 2020 | 35-sai no Shojo (35歳の少女, A Girl of 35) | Hirose Yuto (lead) | NTV | 10 | Ko Shibasaki, Bona Suzuki |
| 2021 | Okaeri Mone (おかえりモネ) | Suganami Kotaro (supporting) | NHK | 120 | Anna Ishibashi, Kai Inowaki |
| 2021 | Kon'in Todoke ni Han o Osita Dake desu ga (婚姻届に判を捺しただけですが, Only Just Married) | Momose Shu (lead) | TBS | 10 | Yasuna Kato, Jun Fubuki |
| 2021 | Kamakura-dono no 13-nin (鎌倉殿の13人) | Hojo Yasutoki (supporting) | NHK | 48 | Shun Oguri, Yo Oizumi |
| 2021 | Signal Special (シグナル SP) | Saegusa Kento (lead) | Fuji TV | 1 (special) | Kazuki Kitamura |
| 2022 | Hiru (昼) | Kara (supporting, season 1) | WOWOW | 6 | None specified |
| 2022 | Hiru Season 2 (昼 Season 2) | Kara (lead) | WOWOW | 6 | None specified |
| 2022 | Shijou no Kyosen (市場の守護者, Guardian of the Market) | Koshobu Tsutomu (lead) | Fuji TV | 11 | Anne, Masataka Kubota |
| 2023 | Dr. Chocolate (Dr.チョコレート) | Noda Tetsuya / "Teacher" (lead) | TV Asahi | 10 | Noa Shirayama, Kenta Hamano |
| 2023 | CODE: Negai no Daisho (CODE 願いの代償, CODE Japan: The Price of Wishes) | Ninomiya Minato (lead) | TBS | 10 | Masataka Someya, Ai Hashimoto |
| 2024 | What Comes After Love (愛のあとにくるもの, Sarang Hueoneun Geodeul; Japan-Korea co-production) | Aoki Jungo / Sasae Hikari / "Yun Oh" (lead) | Coupang Play / Viki | 6 | Lee Se-young, So Yi-hyun |
| 2024 | Sayonara no Tsuzuki (さよならのつづき, Beyond Goodbye) | Naruse Kazumasa (lead) | Fuji TV / Netflix | 8 | None specified |
| 2025 | Tokumei no Koibito-tachi (匿名の恋人たち, Romantics Anonymous) | Counselor Ando (guest, ep. 8) | Netflix | 8 | None specified |
Music videos
Kentaro Sakaguchi has made notable appearances in music videos, often portraying romantic or dramatic leads that complement his acting portfolio through concise visual storytelling.[30] His early music video role came in 2015 with Japanese singer Miwa's single "Yozora. feat. Haji→," where he featured as a supporting actor in the nighttime-themed narrative.[31] In 2017, Sakaguchi collaborated on the ending theme for the film The 100th Love with You, appearing in the music video for "Aiokuri" by The Stroboscorp featuring Miwa, performing alongside the lead actress in a time-loop romance scene.[32] He starred in two prominent music videos in 2022: first as the male lead in RADWIMPS's "Ms. Phenomenal," the theme song for the film The Last 10 Years, depicting a poignant story of love and mortality opposite Nana Komatsu.[33] Later that year, he played the character Giri, a key antagonistic figure, in &TEAM's debut single "Under the Skin," contributing to the group's cinematic introduction with intense, blood-soaked visuals.[34] Sakaguchi's most recent music video appearance was in 2025 for LISA's solo single "DREAM" from her debut album Alter Ego, co-starring as the singer's lover in a five-minute short film that explores themes of heartbreak and loss following a funeral scene.[35]| Year | Artist | Song | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Miwa | "Yozora. feat. Haji→" | Supporting actor in romantic nighttime narrative |
| 2017 | The Stroboscorp feat. Miwa | "Aiokuri" | Co-lead in film-tied time-loop romance |
| 2022 | RADWIMPS | "Ms. Phenomenal" | Male lead opposite Nana Komatsu in mortality-themed story |
| 2022 | &TEAM | "Under the Skin" | Giri, antagonistic role in intense debut visuals |
| 2025 | LISA | "DREAM" | Lover in short film exploring grief and lost love |