Masahiro Higashide

Masahiro Higashide, born on February 1, 1988, in Saitama, Japan, has this kind of quiet intensity that just sneaks up on you. The man’s been floating around the Japanese film scene for a while, but you probably know him best for his roles in films like Asako I & II, Over Drive, and the wild ride that is Death Note: Light Up the New World. He’s got that look—tall, sharp-cheeked, with a presence that says “I could either break your heart or save your life,” sometimes both in the same scene. It’s honestly wild how he can shift from brooding to charming in a heartbeat. He’s not some overnight sensation either. Higashide started out as a model (yeah, he’s got the jawline for it), then made the jump to acting. Over the years, he’s managed to dodge the usual typecasting traps, landing roles that stretch from romantic dramas to high-octane thrillers. People who caught Asako I & II probably remember how he played two different versions of the same character—sort of a double life thing, and he nailed it. Seriously, it takes some serious chops to pull that off without making it look like a cheap gimmick. Off-screen, things got a little messy. He was married to Anne Watanabe for a bit, but that’s a whole tabloid saga on its own. Still, whatever is happening in his personal life, the guy keeps cranking out performances that stick with you. Whether he’s the mysterious stranger or the guy with a secret, Higashide’s name just keeps popping up in all the right places—he’s basically one of those actors you can’t ignore, even if you tried.