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Japanese musician and actor (born 1982) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Masaki Aiba (相葉 雅紀, Aiba Masaki) (born December 24, 1982) is a Japanese singer, actor, television personality, radio host and dancer. He is a member of the boy band Arashi.
Masaki Aiba | |
|---|---|
相葉 雅紀 | |
Aiba in November 2019 | |
| Born | Masaki Aiba December 24, 1982 Chiba, Chiba, Japan |
| Other names | Aiba-chan |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse |
Unknown (m. 2021) |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | J-pop |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | Arashi |
Aiba began his career in the entertainment industry when he joined the Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates in 1996 at the age of 13. Prior to his debut as a singer with Arashi in 1999, Aiba started an acting career when he was cast as the lead role of Gordie for the stage play Stand by Me, which was based on the film of the same name. About five years after his debut as a singer with Arashi in 1999, he became one of the co-hosts of the variety show Tensai Shimura Dōbutsuen (天才！志村どうぶつ園, Genius! Shimura Zoo) in 2004, making him the first member of Arashi to regularly participate in a variety show not primarily hosted by Arashi.
Aiba was born in Hanamigawa, Chiba as the first child of his family. He has a younger brother who is four years younger.[1][2] Aiba was raised by his grandparents until he was four years old because his parents were busy running their newly opened Chinese cuisine restaurant then.[3]
Prior to joining Johnny & Associates, Aiba watched a program called Love Love SMAP (愛ラブSMAP, Ai Rabu SMAP) and saw SMAP playing basketball on television.[4] Wanting to play basketball with them, he sent in the application to join the talent agency himself, without exactly knowing what the agency specialized in until the day of auditions.[4] Aiba became a Johnny's Jr. in August 1996 at the age of 13.[5]
In collaboration with the other members, he has written the lyrics to "Fight Song" and "5x10". For his solo song "Hello Goodbye", Aiba played the harmonica portion of the song throughout Arashi's Arashi Marks 2008 Dream-A-Live and Arashi Marks Arashi Around Asia 2008 concert tours. Aiba also used to play the saxophone; however, due to the collapse of one of his lungs in 2002, he was forced to stop playing due to the operation he had to undergo.[6][7]
Aiba began acting in a 1997 stage play based on an American coming of age film called Stand by Me with future bandmates Jun Matsumoto and Kazunari Ninomiya.[8]
In 2005, Aiba took up the lead role of Keiji Takashima (高島 啓治, Takashima Keiji), a naive but honest station attendant living in a world after a World War III nuclear war, in Tsubame no Iru Eki (燕のいる駅, A Station with Swallows).[9]
In 2007, Aiba portrayed Adam, a shy young man with a heart defect, in Wasurerarenai Hito (忘れられない人, Unforgettable Person). It was the first stage adaptation of the 1993 film Untamed Heart.[10]
In early 2008, Aiba was given the lead role of Colin Briggs in the stage play called Greenfingers, which was adapted from the movie of the same name.[11]
Aiba reunited with director Keiko Miyata (宮田 慶子, Miyata Keiko), who has been the director for his stage plays since 2005, and took on the lead role for Kimi to Miru Sen no Yume (君と見る千の夢, The Thousand Dreams I Dream With You), which ran from May 5 to 24, 2010. He portrayed a young man hovering over life and death due to a violent traffic accident.[12]
In October 2024, Aiba took the role of Psychologist Edmund Einhard in Sony Music Group's room NB's project Reading High noir reading play "Thanatos", sharing the stage with Akio Otsuka and Saori Hayami. It is the first time Aiba participates in this kind of stage play.[13]
In 1997, Aiba made his drama debut portraying Akira, one of the many children left to survive in a city under government lockdown after a mysterious disease wipes out all the adults, in the drama Bokura no Yūki: Miman Toshi (ぼくらの勇気, Our Courage: Miman City). After the announcement of the formation of Arashi in September 1999 and their position as supporters for the 1999 Volleyball World Cup competition, all five members starred together for the first time in the volleyball-centered short drama V no Arashi.
Although Aiba was featured in a number of dramas such as Mukodono 2003 (ムコ殿2003, The Son-in-Law 2003) and Yankee Bokō ni Kaeru (ヤンキー母校に帰る, Drop-out Teacher Returns to School), he became more known for his appearances in variety shows instead and went on to focus on stage productions after Yankee Bokō ni Kaeru.[14]
On August 2, 2009, it was announced that Aiba would not only act in his first drama series in nearly six years but also star as the lead actor for the first time.[14] In My Girl, Aiba portrayed a young man who discovers that he has a five-year-old daughter after receiving the news that his girlfriend, who he has not seen in six years, was killed in an accident.[15]
In January 2010, Aiba co-starred with the other members of Arashi in the human suspense drama special Saigo no Yakusoku. He portrayed Akira Tanada (棚田 昭, Tanada Akira), a 28-year-old coffee shop employee who is caught up in a building hijack.[16][17] Starting January 2011, Aiba starred as genius bartender Ryū Sasakura (佐々 倉溜, Sasakura Ryū) in the drama adaptation of the manga Bartender.[18] Aiba also made a guest appearance on the final episode of bandmate Ninomiya's drama Freeter, Ie o Kau (フリーター、家を買う。, Part-time Worker, Buys a House), which aired on December 21, 2010.[19] In April 2012, Aiba once again starred in a lead role as "Katayama Yoshitaro" in the NTV drama adaption of the similarly named novel series, " Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri (三毛猫ホームズの推理).[20] In 2013, took the lead role as a doctor in "Last Hope".
In 2002, he made his motion picture debut in Pikanchi Life is Hard Dakedo Happy (ピカ☆ンチ Life is HardだけどHappy, Pikanchi Life is Hard But Happy), Arashi's first movie together, as the lead character Shun. He subsequently reprised his role for the 2004 sequel Pikanchi Life is Hard Dakara Happy (ピカ☆☆ンチ Life is HardだからHappy, Pikanchi Life is Hard Therefore Happy).
The group once again came together in 2007 to co-star in Kiiroi Namida (黄色い涙, Yellow Tears) with Aiba portraying an aspiring singer in the 1960s.[21]
Aiba's debut as voice actor for a full length animation film is with "Pui Pui Molcar The Movie ~ Molmax", a CG version of the series, scheduled to be released on November 29, 2024. Aiba has appeared in anime before, in one episode of KochiKame anime, with the other members of Arashi, in a mini sketch before the ending song Nice na Kokoroiki, which is sung by the group; in Crayon Shin-chan, in a short at the end of episode 983, as his character from his drama Boku to Shippo to Kagurazaka,[22][23] and as character inspiration and voice actor for Koikeya SDGs Theater Suss and Tena, a mini anime from snack company Koikeya Inc.. For Molcar's movie, Aiba will play a human character in the Molcar's world. Details of the movie and of his character have not been revealed yet.[24]
Since October 5, 2001, Aiba has his own radio show Arashi's Aiba Masaki no Rekomen! Arashi Remix, which currently broadcasts on JOQR. On May 17, 2009, Aiba hosted a special radio program on Tokyo FM called Muteki no Aiba-kun (ムテキの相葉クン!, Invincible Aiba).[25]
In 2004 Aiba became a regular part of Ken Shimura's variety show Tensai! Shimura Dōbutsuen. With co-hosts of the show such as Tomomitsu Yamaguchi, Sayaka Aoki and Becky, Aiba interacts with various wild animals such as tigers, pandas and crocodiles in zoos both in and out of Japan, such as Singapore, South Africa, Philippines and Indonesia. After Shimura's passing on March 29, 2020, Aiba was given the lead of the show. The name for the show remained as a tribute to Shimura.[26][27] As of June 3, 2020, NTV decided to end broadcasting "Tensai!" in September, stating as a reason that to continue filming on that stage, with all the memories gathered throughout almost 16 years that the show was on air, would be painfully difficult and heartbreaking. However, Aiba would continue as host of a new program with basically the same theme: the love for animals. The new show, I love みんなのどうぶつ園 (I love minna no doubutsuen), started airing in October.[28][29] The show's format and name remained until April 2022, when it was renamed 嗚呼!!みんなの動物園 (Aa! Minna no doubutsuen), focusing now on the people who take care of rescued animals, mainly dogs and cats.[30] Aiba, besides hosting the show, has an occasional corner trimming and washing rescued dogs, as part of his desire to take care of animals.[31]
In 2013 Aiba began hosting a variety show Aiba Manabu airing in TV Asahi.[32] Aiba enriches his knowledge about Japan along with the audience in the show. As part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the program, Aiba Manabu released on December 15, 2023, a recipe book with a variety of vegetable recipes chosen by Aiba and his co-hosts Eiji Kotoge and Yū Sawabe. In an interview regarding the book, Aiba said "This is the crystallization of 10 years of learning, for both performers and staff. I would be happy if readers could relax while reading this book, have fun thinking, 'What should I make next?' and get excited about cooking."[33]
In 2014 he became one of the hosts for Tokyo Live!, a special live show that aired TV Tokyo for two weeks. 5 Johnny's member alternated hosting the show every night from Mondays to Fridays wherein they try to offer advice as some audience called about their woes. Aiba was the Wednesday host. Due to popularity, the show became a regular show but lost its live format. It is currently called Ichigen-san
In 2016 he began hosting a sports show in NHK called Gutto! Sports. A warm discussion with an invited athlete occurs every week.
In 2019, Aiba started hosting the program Hajimemashite! Ichiban tōi shinseki-san, in which guests get to know their "farthest relatives". Legally, a relative is considered to be the person with whom another is related, up to the sixth level of blood kinship, or by marriage, up to the third level. But the program examines the relationships between persons far removed from those limits.[34] One of those examples was the family tree of singer and actor Daigo, who found out he was related (by in-law relationships) to John Lennon.[35] Aiba continued as host in 2020,[36] twice in 2021,[35] twice in 2022,[37] and again in 2023.[38] Aiba is to host the special once again in 2024, making it the 8th time.[39]
Starting in January 2021, Aiba hosts VS Damashii (VS魂), which substituted Arashi's signature program VS Arashi, ended in December 2020.[40][41] Aiba's program ended in Autumn 2023, after two incarnations (the original and Gradation), and coinciding with member Yuta Kishi leaving the agency and the Network's program reorganization period in October. A substitute program had not been revealed at the time, nor if Aiba would be hosting it.[42] The substitute program was revealed on September 4, 2023, Mokushichi marubatsubu (木7◎×部), and the original idea of the program was of having school club-like activities, not available in school, with celebrities holding their own club activities, with Aiba and others in-studio watching over the challenges. The program started on October 26,[43][44] and ended in March 2024,[45] with its substitute's broadcast day changed to Saturday, shortened to 30 minutes, and broadcast area to the Kanto region. ending a long history of a national Arashi or Arashi member-hosted Thursday "Golden Hour" programming. Aiba's new program, Aiba marubatsubu (相葉◎×部), scheduled to start on April 13, is to continue with some of the activities of its predecessor.[46]
As part of Arashi, he led NHK's Kouhaku Uta Gassen's White Team from 2010 to 2014, and as himself, he was the 67th White Team Leader in 2016.
He hosted Fuji TV's FNS Kayōsai, aired on December 4 and 11, 2019, together with Mezamashi TV's Yūmi Nagashima.[47] They repeat as hosts for FNS's Spring (2022), Summer (2020-2023),[48][49][50] Autumn (2021) and Winter shows (2020-2022)[51][52][53][54] For the 2023 Winter edition, he shares hosting duties with Fuji TV announcer Seika Inoue, since Nagashima would be on maternity leave.[55] Inoue and Aiba continue for 2024 Summer[56][57] and Winter editions.[58]
From July 18 to 19, 2009, Aiba was appointed a Field Navigator for the Gymnastics Japan Cup 2009 (体操Japan Cup 2009, Taisō Japan Cup 2009).[59] He was once again a navigator on October 18, 2009 for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2009: London Rally (世界体操選手権2009 ロンドン大会, Sekai Taisō Senshuken 2009 Rondon Taikai).[60]
In July 2010 Aiba was a Field Navigator for the Gymnastics Japan Cup 2010 (体操Japan Cup 2010, Taisō Japan Cup 2010).[61] Aiba was the official navigator for Fuji Television's coverage of the 2010 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands from October 16 to 24, 2010.[62]
He was chosen, alongside his Arashi co-member Sho Sakurai, to host the NHK special program coverage for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, celebrated from July 23, 2021.[63]
On April 4, 2021, Aiba started a new corner in NHK's Sunday Sports, called "Aibuzz", short for "Aiba's Buzz", visiting athletes and sporting spots.[64][65][66]
On October 3, 2021, Aiba served as voice actor for Nissin Foods' subsidiary Koikeya's[67] animated episodes of サスとテナ (Suss to Tena). The series focuses on sisters Suss and Tena and a tanuki named Bull, who are called to fight monsters caused by environmental and social problems. Aiba voices 相葉蕉 (Aiba Sho), a haiku poet who reflects about the episode's problem, and, at the end, gives haiku that triggers everyone to think about SDGs. The episodes aired on Tokyo MX and BS Asahi, and are hosted on Koikeya's YouTube channel.[68][69][70][71][72][73]
陸・海・空 ４Ｋ中継 絶景ぜんぶ見せます！世界自然遺産 (Riku umi sora 4 K chūkei zekkei zenbu misemasu! Sekai shizen isan) is NHK's 4K channel's 5-episode series, starting March 18, 2023, in which Aiba, as special navigator, hosts a view at Japan's World Natural Heritage.[74]
Aiba was appointed as brand ambassador for Callaway Golf Company Japan in September 2024. He also opened the page Aiba Masaki with Callaway Golf on Instagram in which he shares his passion for the game, hoping "to convey its charm to those interested but that have never played, as well as to those who love it".[75][76]
On September 28, 2021, Aiba announced his marriage through a letter he released in their fan club website.[101] It was reported on October 23, 2022, via his agency, that he and his wife had welcomed their first born, a boy. The date of birth was not revealed.[102][103][104]
| Year | Title | Related program | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Tensai! Shimura Dōbutsuen | Assistant to Ken Shimura Host (after Shimura's death, in March 2020), until the end of the program |
Aiba and others interact with animals in and outside the studio | [26] | |
| 2011 | Masaki Aiba's Bartender Strategy | Bartender drama | Host | TV Asahi special | [105] |
| 2013 | Aiba Manabu | Host | Cooking show with cooking-related learning | [32] | |
| 2020 | I love Minna no Doubutsuen | Tensai! Shimura Dōbutsuen | Host | Followed same format as previous show | [28] |
| 2021 | VS Damashii | VS Arashi | Host | Replaced Arashi's program, keeping same format Program changed format and name to "VS Damashii: Gradation" in 2022 |
[42] |
| 2022 | Aa! Minna no doubutsuen | I love Minna no Doubutsuen | Host | Format changed, focusing on rescue animals | [30] |
| 2023 | Mokushichi marubatsubu | VS Damashii | Host | Program gave opportunity to guest celebrities to have challenges not included in School Clubs | [43][106] |
| 2024 | Aiba marubatsubu | Mokushichi marubatsubu | Host | Program follows some of the same format of previews one Changed to Saturday afternoon and only-Kanto broadcast area, ending Fuji TV's Arashi / Arashi member-controlled "Thursday Golden Hour" |
[46] |
| Monomane Monster | Host | Celebrity impressions. Co-hosted by Takashi Yoshimura | [107] | ||
| A big family on the mountain! 14 years of the Honda family's 3 boys and 4 girls' "laughter and tears" | Host | A deep look at the family who chose the mountains over the city | [108] | ||
| 24 Hr TV (Telethon) | Chosen as 1st of 24 hosts | Hosts 1 of the 24 sections in this year's event | [109][110] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Bokura no Yūki: Miman Toshi | Akira | ||
| 1998 | Don't Worry! | Hideto | Episode: "Boku Tantei ni Naritai" | |
| Boys Be... Jr. | Kanji Sugiyama / Naoyuki | Episodes: "Imitation Couple", "Christmas wa Kimi to Isshoni" | ||
| Shōnentachi | Kei Matsushita | |||
| 1999 | Nekketsu Ren'ai-dō | Yūji Ueda / Hiroshi Kanda / Yamanaka Taichi | Episodes: "Iteza no O-gata Boy", "Sasoriza no A-gata Boy", "Oushiza no O-gata boy" | [111] |
| Ppoi! | Banri Kusaka | |||
| Kowai Nichiyōbi | Masaki Aiba | Episode: "Ugokasu Na!" | ||
| V no Arashi | Masaki Aiba | Lead role with Arashi members | ||
| 2000 | Shijō Saiaku no Dēto | Date king / Yūichiro | Lead role | |
| 2001 | Mukodono | Ryo Takeyama | ||
| Shōnen Taiya: Gypsy | Roku | Four-episode drama | ||
| 2002 | Shōnen Taiya: Aoki-san Chi no Oku-san | Masaki | Four-episode drama | [112] |
| 2003 | Yoiko no Mikata | Akira Mataki | Episode: "Chichi to Musume... Namida no Doronko Asobi" | |
| Kaigo Kazoku: Hana, Sakimakka | Akira Mataki | Television special | ||
| Gekidan Engimono: Kurū ga Mama | Kazuya | Lead role, four-episode drama | ||
| Yankee Bokō ni Kaeru | Tetsuji Yashiki | |||
| 2006 | Triple Kitchen | Eisaku Odajima | Television special | |
| Kuitan Special | Extra | Cameo appearance | ||
| 2009 | My Girl | Masamune Kazama | Lead role | |
| 2010 | Saigo no Yakusoku | Akira Tanada | Lead role with Arashi members, television special | |
| Freeter, Ie o Kau | Hirata | Episode: "Kaa-san ga, Waratta" | ||
| 2011 | Bartender | Ryū Sasakura | Lead role | |
| 2011 | Freeter, Ie o Kau SP | Hirata | Guest appearance | |
| 2012 | Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri | Yoshitaro Katayama | Lead role | |
| 2013 | Last Hope | Takumi Hatano | Lead role | |
| 2015 | Yōkoso, Wagaya e | Kenta Kurata | Lead role | |
| 2017 | Kizoku Tantei | Kizoku Tantei | Lead role | |
| 2018 | Boku to Shippo to Kagurazaka | Tatsuya Kōenji | Lead role | |
| 2019 | Kizuna no Pedal | Miyazawa Takashi (adult) | Lead role, 24 Hour TV drama special | |
| 2021 | The Men of the Wada Family | Yū Wada | Lead role | [113] |
| 2023 | Hitoribotchi ~ Hitori to hito o tsunagu ai no monogatari | Sugi Shinya | Lead role, TBS | [114][115] |
| Kyō Kara Hitman | Tokichi Inaba | Lead role, TV Asahi | [116][117][118] | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2012 | 21-nin no Wa | Narrator | Documentary series | |
| 2020 | Daremo Shiranai Shimura Ken | Himself | Television special | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Crayon Shin-chan | Tatsuya Koenji | animated, voice, Short (episode 983) "Ora to Shippo to Kagurazaka dazo", | [119][120] |
| 2021 | Sus to Tena | Shō Aiba | Animated, voice, 5 seasons | [121] |
| 2024 | Tono to Inu | Tono | Animated, voice, plays one of the Lords | [122][123][124] |
| Pui Pui Molcar The Movie ~ Molmax | Many Many Eyes Company CEO | Animated movie, voice, plays one of the humans | [24][125] | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Shinjuku Shōnen Tantei-dan | Sōsuke Hashiba | ||
| 2002 | Pikanchi Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy | Shun Okano | Lead role | |
| 2004 | Pikanchi Life Is Hard Dakara Happy | Shun Okano | ||
| 2007 | Kiiroi Namida | Shōichi Inoue | Lead role with Arashi members | |
| 2011 | Japan's Wildlife: The Untold Story | Narrator | Documentary film | |
| 2014 | Pikanchi Life Is Hard Tabun Happy | Shun Okano | Lead role with Arashi members | |
| Miracle Debikuro-kun no Koi to Mahō | Hikari Yamamoto | Lead role | ||
| 2022 | It's in the Woods | Jun'ichi Tanaka | Lead role | [126] |
Are You Happy? song "Seishun boogie" (recording under Aiba's supervision) [133]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Stand By Me | Gordie | Lead role | [134] |
| Kyo to Kyo | [135] | |||
| 2005 | Tsubame no Iru Eki | Keiji Takashima | Lead role | [136] |
| 2007 | Wasurerarenai Hito | Adam | [137][138] | |
| 2009 | Greenfingers | Colin Briggs | [139][140] | |
| 2010 | Kimi to Miru Sen no Yume | Haruya Ikebe | [141] | |
| 2022 | Yōkoso, Minato-sensei | Takanari Minato | [142] | |
| 2024 | Thanatos | Edmund Einhard | [143][144] |
| Year | Organization | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 13th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Autumn) | Best Actor | My Girl | Won[145] |
| TV Navi Drama Awards (Autumn) | Best Newcomer | Won[146] | ||
| 2016 | 85th Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Actor | Yōkoso, Wagaya e | Nominated[147] |
| 25th TV Life Awards | Best Actor | Won[148] | ||
| 2017 | 93rd Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Actor | Kizoku Tantei | Nominated[149] |
| 21st Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Spring) | Best Actor | Nominated[150] | ||
| 2018 | 27th TV Life Awards | Best Actor | Won[151] | |
| 22nd Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Autumn) | Best Actor | Boku to Shippo to Kagurazaka | Won[152] | |
| 2022 | 25th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix | Best Actor | The Men of the Wada Family | Won[153] |
| 2024 | 32nd Hashida Prize | Drama | Hitoribotchi ~ Hitori to hito o tsunagu ai no monogatari | Won[154][155] |
| Actor, singer and talent | "Hitoribotchi", "Kyou kara hitman", and activities in music and variety shows. | Won[154][155] | ||
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