Kento Yamazaki
A magnetic screen presence who became the face of a generation by bringing beloved manga and anime characters to life with startling emotional depth.
Born 1994 (age 32)·Japanese actor and model·Birthday: September 7·Millennials
Biography
Kento Yamazaki didn't just ride the wave of Japan's live-action manga adaptation boom; he helped define it. Emerging from modeling in his teens, he quickly demonstrated a chameleonic range that set him apart. His breakthrough role as the brooding genius L in the 2015 TV version of 'Death Note' showcased an eerie intensity, while his turn in 'Your Lie in April' revealed a capacity for profound vulnerability. This duality made him the go-to actor for complex protagonists, culminating in his global breakout as Arisu in Netflix's survival thriller 'Alice in Borderland,' where his raw, physical performance captivated audiences worldwide. More than a heartthrob, Yamazaki commands his projects with a meticulous, almost scholarly dedication to his source material, earning the trust of fervent fanbases and cementing his status as a box-office anchor.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kento was born in 1994, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kento Was Born
The biggest hits of 1994
#1 Movie
The Lion King
Best Picture
Forrest Gump
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Kento's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1994Born
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1999Started school
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2007Became a teenager
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Could drive
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2012Could vote
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Turned 21
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2024Turned 30
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 32 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Achieved international fame starring as Arisu in the hit Netflix survival series 'Alice in Borderland'.
- Portrayed the iconic genius L in the 2015 television adaptation of the manga 'Death Note'.
- Headlined the blockbuster live-action film adaptation of the historical manga 'Kingdom,' which became a major box office success in Japan.
- Won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Newcomer of the Year for his role in 'The Hours of Your Life'.
Did You Know?
He is a licensed architect in Japan, having studied and passed the national certification exam.
He taught himself to play the piano for his role as a prodigy in the film 'Your Lie in April'.
He is ambidextrous but primarily writes with his left hand.
He was scouted by a talent agency while shopping with his mother as a teenager.
“I want to be an actor who can make people feel something they've never felt before.”
