Kazunari Ninomiya, also known by his stage name Nino, is a renowned Japanese vocalist, actor, and songwriter. In 1999, he joined the boy band ‘Arashi’ and rose to prominence. Before making his début as a singer, Nino began his career as an actor. He made his stage debut in 1997 with the play “Stand by Me” and his television debut in 1998 with the TV film “Amagi Goe” (‘Crossing Mt. Amagi’). In 1999, he played his first leading character in the television drama ‘Abunai Hkago’ (‘Dangerous After School’). Since then, he has appeared in a number of television series, including “Stand Up!” (2004), “Yamada Tar Monogatari” (2007), “Saigo no Yakusoku” (2010), “Kuruma Isu de Boku wa Sora wo Tobu” (2012), and “Black Pean.” (2018). In 2002, he made his film début in ‘Pikanchi Life is Hard Dakedo Happy,’ and in 2003, he landed his first leading role in ‘The Blue Light.’ In his Hollywood debut, Letters from Iwo Jima, he portrayed Saigo. (2006). Other notable films by this director include ‘Kiiroi Namida’ (2007), ‘Gantz’ (2011), ‘Platinum Data’ (2013), ‘Nagasaki: Memories of My Son (2015), and ‘The Last Recipe’ (2017). (2017). Ninomiya has also received a number of accolades.
Youth and Early Life
Ninomiya was born on June 17, 1983, in Katsushika, Tokyo. Both of his parents were caterers.
Nino has an elder sibling. As the only grandson in the family, Nino was named the heir to their family’s windshield-replacement business.
His career in the entertainment industry began when his cousin submitted an application to Johnny & Associates without his knowledge. His application was accepted, and he auditioned and joined the talent agency shortly thereafter. He completed his high education in March 2002. He was 18 years old when he graduated high school.
Kazunari Ninomiya’s Career
Nino made his acting début in 1997 with the stage adaptation of the American film Stand by Me. Interestingly, for the next seven years, he did not perform in any plays. 2004 marked his return to the stage with “Shibuya Kara Tooku Hanarete.” Nino played the main role in Yukio Ninagawa’s play, which he directed.
In the 2005 play “Rebel Without a Cause,” he portrayed “Jim Stark.” In 2009, he returned to the stage to portray the lead in “Strangers on a Train,” based on the same-titled novel. His character in the drama was Bruno, a psychopathic murderer. This is his final stage performance to date.
In 1998, he made his television debut with the television film Amagi Goe (Crossing Mount Amagi). He also made brief appearances in shows like ‘Nijuroku ya Mairi’ (1998), ‘Akimahende’ (1998), and ‘Nekketsu Ren’ai-d’ (1999) until 1999, when he starred as the main character in the film ‘Abunai Houkago’ (‘Dangerous After School’).
To show his support for the eighth ‘World Cup’ of ‘The Volleyball Championships,’ he co-starred with the other members of his band in ‘V No Arashi’ in the same year. From 2000 to 2003, he appeared in ‘Namida O Fuite,’ ‘Handoku!!!,’ and ‘Netsuretsu Teki Chuka Hanten’ before starring in ‘Stand Up!!
In the 2004 drama Minami-kun no Koibito (Minami’s Girlfriend), he played the role of Susumu Minami. In the series, Susumu’s fiancée shrinks to a height of 16 centimeters. In 2005, he portrayed ‘Takuro Wakui’ in the film ‘Yasashii Jikan’ (‘Affectionate Time’). ‘Takuro’ kills his mother and becomes estranged from his father.
In 2006, he portrayed a young man diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in the drama Sukoshi wa, Ongaeshi ga Dekitakana (‘Have I Returned Some of My Gratitude?’). It was based on an actual event. In the 2007 comedy-drama “Yamada Tar Monogatari,” he portrayed the impoverished student Tar Yamada.
In 2008, he played the main role in ‘Rysei no Kizuna’ as ‘Kichi Ariake,’ a man whose parents were murdered by an unknown assailant many years prior. His performance was praised by critics and earned him numerous accolades and distinctions. From 2009 to 2011, he starred in a variety of dramas, including ‘Door to Door,’ ‘Tengoku de Kimi ni Aetara,’ ‘Freeter, le o Kau,’ and ‘Freeter, le o Kau SP.’ ‘Door to Door’ and ‘Rysei no Kizuna’ earned him several accolades.
From 2012 to 2015, he continued to star in television series including ‘Kuruma Isu de Boku wa Sora wo Tobu,’ ‘Yowakutemo Katemasu,’ ‘Murder on the Orient Express,’ and ‘Aka Medaka.’ In 2016, he starred in the television special Botchan.
His most recent television appearance was as ‘Seishiro Tokai’ in the 2018 series ‘Black Pean.’
Nino made his film début with ‘Pikanchi Life is Hard Dakedo Happy’ in 2002. In the 2003 film ‘The Blue Night,’ however, he portrayed his first leading role as ‘Shuichi,’ a high school student attempting to escape his abusive father.
In the 2006 film ‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ directed by Clint Eastwood, he debuted as a soldier named ‘Saigo’ in a performance that was praised by critics. The film also received an ‘Academy Award.’ His first appearance as a voice actor was in the animated film Tekkon Kinkreet. His next leading role was in the 2002 film oku.
Subsequently, he starred in a number of films, including “Gantz” and “Gantz: Perfect Answer” in 2011, “Platinum Data” in 2013, “Nagasaki: Memories of My Son” in 2015, and “The Last Recipe” in 2017. In the 2015 film ‘Assassination Classroom’ and its 2016 sequel ‘Assassination Classroom: Graduation,’ he voiced the character ‘Koro-sensei.’ His most recent film appearance occurred in 2018’s “Killing for the Prosecution.”
In 1999, Nino made his singing début as a member of the Japanese boy band Arashi. The band’s albums have sold millions of copies. Nino composed the lyrics for numerous ‘Arashi’ albums, including ‘Konseki,’ ‘Fight Song,’ ‘Niji,’ and ‘Gimmick Game,’ among others.
Other Important Works
Ninomiya is a radio presenter as well. His own radio program, Bay Storm, debuted in October 2002.
Awards & Achievements
Throughout his career, Ninomiyo has garnered numerous accolades and awards. “Handoku!!!” earned him the “Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Fall)” for “Best Supporting Actor” in 2001. His performance in “Netsuretsu Teki Chuka Hanten” earned him the “Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix” (Winter) for “Best Supporting Actor” in 2003.
2004 saw him receive the “Rendora 110 Award” for “Best Actor” for his performance in “Stand Up!! “Haikei, Chichiue-sama” earned him the “Japan Broadcast Film Arts Award” for “Best Actor” in 2007. For ‘Marathon,’ he also received the ‘Hs Kojin Award’ at the 62nd ‘Cultural Affairs Award ceremony. In 2008, he won “Best Actor” at the 59th “Television Drama Academy Awards” for “Rysei no Kizuna.”
In addition, he was nominated for “Outstanding Actor (Drama)” at the 49th “Monte-Carlo Television Festival.” ‘Freeter, le o Kau’ earned him the ‘Best Actor Award’ at the 67th ‘Television Drama Academy Awards in 2011.
Ninomiya received the 39th ‘Japan Academy Prize’ for ‘Best Actor’ in 2016 for his role in ‘Haha to Kuraseba’ (‘Living with My Mother’).
kazunari’s Personal Life
Throughout his career, Nino has been romantically associated with a number of women. He is said to have dated Shiina Noriko in 2000, Nagasawa Masami in 2005, Mizukawa Asami in 2010, and Sasaki Nozomi in 2011.
In 2016, he dated the announcer Ayako Ito. In 2017, it was reported that he was dating newscaster Ogawa Ayaka. However, his romantic history is not documented.
Estimated Net Worth
Kazunari Ninomiya is one of the wealthiest and most renowned actors in the world. Based on our investigation of Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Kazunari Ninomiya has a net worth of $5 million.