is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his leading role as Ryotaro Nogami in the Kamen Rider Den-O franchise, and as Himura Kenshin in the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film and its sequels. In 2025, he starred in and co-executive produced the musical drama Glass Heart for Netflix.
Early life Satoh was born on March 21, 1989 in Iwatsuki-ku, Saitama. Satoh briefly worked as a child actor for three or four years, appearing in commercials and magazine photo shoots. As he advanced in elementary school, Satoh decided not to pursue work as a child actor due to his "shy personality". He graduated from Koshigaya Kita High School, Saitama in 2007. In the same year, while shooting Kamen Rider Den-O, he was diagnosed with primary pneumothorax after complaining about pain in the left chest, and has since recovered.
Career
2006–2008: Early works Satoh was scouted by an agent from Amuse, Inc. in Harajuku in Tokyo when he was in senior high school, and made his debut in 2006. His first drama was Princess Princess D (TV Asahi) where he played the role of Toru Kouno. In 2007, he guest-starred in Shinigami no Ballad (Kentaroh Ishihara) and gained popularity in the seventeenth installment of the Kamen Rider series as Ryotaro Nogami. Satoh attributes the popularity of Den-O to its comedic timing.
2009–2011: Breakthrough Following the success and popularity of Kamen Rider Den-O and its two further cinematic releases, in the spring of 2008, Satoh starred in the award-winning TBS drama Rookies as Yuya Okada, one member of a high school baseball club consisting of a group of delinquents. Satoh considers his role in Rookies to be his breakout role even though he only played a minor supporting role,Takeru considers his role in Rookies his breakout role during chat with an MC in the Takeru Festival 2009 (2009-03-21). Retrieved on 2009-04-27. as Rookies was shown on prime time television and able to reach a much larger audience than any of his previous works. Satoh also starred in the live-action in the summer of 2009.
Satoh reprised his role as Ryotaro (Den-O) in the third film of Kamen Rider Den-O in October 2008. He also starred in the drama Bloody Monday, based on the manga with the same name.
In the following two years, Satoh starred or guest-starred in TV shows such as Mei's Butler, Mr. Brain, True Horror Stories and MW Dai-0-sho, and in films such as Goemon and Beck. In 2010, he played Okada Izō in his first Taiga drama Ryōmaden and landed his first leading role on prime time television with teen drama Q10.
On 28 June 2011, he was confirmed to star as Himura Kenshin in a live action film adaptation of the manga series Rurouni Kenshin.
2012–present: Rurouni Kenshin films and career expansion
Released in August 2012, the film grossed a total of 3.01 billion yen at the domestic box office. Satoh made his stage debut as Romeo in the Japanese adaptation of Shakespearean classic Romeo and Juliet in May 2012.
His subsequent project Tonbi was a drama series based on a novel by Shigematsu Kiyoshi. He then starred in Real, a science fiction mystery movie directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, as well as The Liar and His Lover(she fell in love with my lie/she likes lies too much), a live-adaptation film based on the manga Kanojo wa Uso o Aishisugiteru.
In 2014, Satoh played the role of a rookie detective in Fuji TV's Bitter Blood. He reprised the role of Himura Kenshin in two sequel films of Rurouni Kenshin live action franchise, Kyoto Inferno and The Legend Ends, both of which were released in 2014. Rurouni Kenshin manga author Nobuhiro Watsuki praised Satoh's performance and called him the ideal actor to portray Kenshin. He, alongside Rurouni Kenshin co-stars Emi Takei, Munetaka Aoki, and director Keishi Ōtomo, was appointed as "Cultural Friendship Ambassador" to the Philippines by the Makati City council on 7 August 2014.
Satoh made his TV return with the acclaimed TBS series The Emperor's Cook in early 2015. He followed up with three Toho Corporation films in 2015 and 2016, including the manga live adaptation Bakuman, the light novel adaptation If Cats Disappeared from the World, and Someone. His role in the 2017 film The 8-Year Engagement earned him a nomination for best actor at the 41st Japan Academy Prize. In 2018, he starred in two award-winning television series: NHK's Asadora Half Blue Sky and the TBS series Stepmom and Daughter Blues. In the same year, he reprised the role of Ryotaro Nogami in the last Kamen Rider movie of the Heisei period.
In 2018, it was announced that the Rurouni Kenshin series would be getting two further installments, a prequel and a sequel to the original trilogy, with Satoh reprising his lead role. Principal filming wrapped in June 2019, with the movies being screened in 2020.
In 2021, Satoh, along with One OK Rock and Ryunosuke Kamiki left Amuse, Inc. and established a new agency with co-actor, Ryunosuke Kamiki, called Co-LaVo. He is also an unofficial member of the Elite Four in the Pokémon Trading Card Game since 14 December 2021.He battled privately against the world champion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Shintarō Itō and made a bet that he would write the title "Elite Four" into his Wikipedia page in case he wins.
Due to him winning this private battle, he stated in this video on his YouTube channel, that he now (unofficially) inherited the title as one of the Elite Four.
Personal life Takeru has a younger sister. His parents divorced when he was in middle school. He played baseball during primary and middle school years and has a black belt in Shorinji Kempo.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2007Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born!Ryotaro Nogami/Kamen Rider Den-OLead role2008Kamen Rider Den-O & Kiva: Climax DekaRyotaro Nogami/Kamen Rider Den-OLead roleSaraba Kamen Rider Den-O: Final CountdownRyotaro Nogami/Kamen Rider Den-OSpecial appearance2009GoemonYoung Kirigakure SaizōRookies: GraduationYuya Okada2010Trick The Movie: Psychic Battle RoyaleShohei NakamoriBeckYukio "Koyuki" Tanaka2012Rurouni KenshinKenshin HimuraLead role2013RealKoichi FujitaLead roleThe Liar and His LoverAki OgasawaraLead role2014Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto InfernoKenshin HimuraLead roleRurouni Kenshin: The Legend EndsKenshin HimuraLead role2015Pieta in the ToiletThe JanitorCameoBakumanMoritaka MashiroLead role2016If Cats Disappeared from the WorldPostman / DevilLead roleSomeoneTakuto NinomiyaLead role2017Ajin: Demi-HumanKei NagaiLead roleThe 8-Year EngagementHisashiLead role2018InuyashikiHiro ShishigamiMillion Dollar ManKazuoLead roleHardcoreSakon GondohKamen Rider Heisei Generations ForeverRyotaro Nogami2019Samurai MarathonJin'nai KarasawaLead roleDragon Quest: Your StoryRuka (voice)Lead roleOne NightYūjiLead role2020Not Quite Dead YetClub HostCameo2021Rurouni Kenshin: The FinalKenshin HimuraLead roleRurouni Kenshin: The BeginningKenshin HimuraLead roleBelleThe Dragon (voice)In the WakeYasuhisa ToneLead role2024April Come She WillShun FujishiroLead roleCells at Work!Neutrophil / White blood cell (U-1146)Lead role2026May It Reach Your WorldTamakiLead role; Japanese-Korean filmKung Fu SoccerTaiga team coachSpecial appearance; Chinese film
Television Year Title Role Notes 2006Princess Princess DToru Kono2007Ballad of a ShinigamiKantaroh IchiharaEpisodes 7, 8, & 112007–2008Kamen Rider Den-ORyotaro Nogami/Kamen Rider Den-OLead role2008RookiesYuuya Okada2008–2010Bloody MondayOtoya Kujo2 seasons2009Mei's ButlerKento ShibataMr. BrainMasaru NakagawaEpisodes 4 & 5MW Chapter 0: Akuma no GameTakashi MoriokaLead roleTrue Horror Stories: 10th-year Anniversary SpecialShotaro FujisawaEpisode 5: Face on the Road2010RyōmadenOkada IzōTaiga dramaQ10Heita FukaiLead roleTakeru Sato to star in "Q10" drama . tokyograph.com. Retrieved 2010-08-08.2011Fuyu no SakuraHajime InabaSaigo no Kizuna: Okinawa Hikisakareta KyodaiAgarie YasuharuLead role2013TonbiAkira IchikawaTonbi (Black Kite) takes Best Drama Series at the 2013 Asian Television Awards! www.tbs.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-12-06.The Liar and his Lover: Side StoryAki OgasawaraLead role2014Bitter BloodNatsuki SaharaLead role2015The Emperor's CookTokuzo AkiyamaLead role2018Half Blue SkyRitsu HagioAsadoraStepmom and Daughter BluesAkira Mugita2019True Horror Stories: 20th-year Anniversary SpecialSatoshi MiyazakiEpisode 5: The Resentful Gaze2020Stepmom and Daughter Blues: New Year SpecialAkira MugitaStepmom and Daughter Blues: Akira Mugita Side StoryAkira MugitaLead roleAn Incurable Case of LoveKairi Tendo2022Stepmom and Daughter Blues: New Year Special 2022Akira MugitaTelevision filmFirst LoveHarumichi NamikiLead role2023Why Didn't I Tell You a Million Times?Naoki Torino2024Stepmom and Daughter Blues Final: New Year Special 2024Akira MugitaTelevision film2025Marry My HusbandSuzuki WataruLead roleGlass HeartNaoki FujitaniLead role, also producer
Television documentaries and other programs Year Title Role 2012The Man Who Wants To Be TruthfulHimself2016The Unknown CivilizationsHimself2017Tokyo: The Miracle CityNarrator2018Our 50 Years With Weekly Shonen JumpNarrator69th NHK Kōhaku Uta GassenJudge2019Tokyo MiracleVarious roles2021Satoh Takeru and Nobu's Puzzle-Solving Special - Episode 1HimselfSatoh Takeru and Nobu's Puzzle-Solving Special - Episode 2Himself2022Satoh Takeru and Nobu's Puzzle-Solving Special - Episode 3HimselfSatoh Takeru and Nobu's Puzzle-Solving Special - Episode 4Himself
Promotion videos
Mayday, Do You Ever Shine (2014) Vaundy, Boku ni wa Dōshite Wakarundarō (僕にはどうしてわかるんだろう; 2025)
Theater 2012: Romeo and Juliet. Dir: Jonathan Munby, Akasaka ACT Theater, Theatre Brava!; role: Romeo
Discography
Singles "Pre-go: Zero" (2007) "Double-Action" (2007) "Perfect-Action: Double-Action Complete Collection" (2007) "Real-Action" (2007) "Double-Action Wing form" (2008)
DVD "My Color" (2008) "HT" () (2010) "HT2" () (2011)
Photobooks Pre-go: Zero (2007) Intently (2008) 400 Days (2008) Takeru Magazine/Takeru Magazine Plus (2008–) Deep Breathing (2009) So Far So Good! Takeru Satoh Profile 2007–2010 (2010) Nouvelles (2011) Rocka Nibunnoichi 1/2 Vol. 1, 2, and 3 (2013) Rurouni Kenshin (2014) Alternative (2014) If Cats Disappeared From the World (Movie) Official Photo Book (2016) "X (Ten)" Satoh Takeru Photo Book + DVD (2016) RurouNihon Kumamoto e (2017) Satoh Takeru in Hanbun, Aoi Photobook (2018) 13 Years: Takeru Satoh Anniversary Book 2006→2019～ (2019)
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Notable Works Result 201020th Japan Movie Critics AwardBest Male NewcomerBeck201135th Elan d'or AwardsNewcomer of the YearHimself2012Japan Action Awards 2012Best Action ActorRurouni Kenshin2015Japan Action Awards 2015Best Action SceneRurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno & The Legend EndsBest Action Actor9th Asian Film AwardsBest ActorRurouni Kenshin: The Legend EndsRurouni Kenshin, Parasyte, Tokyo Tribes Nominated for 9th Asian Film Awards . Anime News Network. Retrieved 2015-02-25.8th Tokyo Drama AwardsBest ActorThe Emperor's Cook201624th Hashida AwardBest Actor42nd Broadcasting Culture Fund AwardIndividual Acting Award201841st Japan Academy Film PrizeBest ActorThe 8-Year EngagementJapan Action Awards 2018Best Action ActorAjin: Demi-Human13th Confidence Award Drama PrizeBest Supporting ActorHalf Blue Sky, Blues of Stepmother and Daughter201932nd Nikkan Sports Film AwardsBest ActorSamurai Marathon, One Night202013th Tokyo Drama AwardsBest Supporting ActorAn Incurable Case of Love202134th Nikkan Sports Film AwardsBest ActorRurouni Kenshin: The Final/The Beginning, In the Wake202276th Mainichi Film AwardsBest ActorIn the Wake64th Blue Ribbon AwardsBest ActorRurouni Kenshin: The Final, In the Wake45th Japan Academy Film PrizeBest ActorIn the Wake2023Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT AwardsBest Lead ActorFirst Love202510th Asia Artist AwardsBest ArtistHimself2026Visionary Awards2026 Visionary
References
External links
Company website
Official profile Official blog