is a Japanese actor, singer, and producer. He is best known for his role as Sakutaro Matsumoto in TV drama ''

Socrates in Love is a 2001 Japanese melodrama novel, written by Kyoichi Katayama and published by Shogakukan, which revolves around narrator Sakutaro Matsumoto's recollections of a school classmate whom he once loved. It is also known as , which author Ka ...

'' and as Densha Otoko in the 2005 film of the same name. Yamada gained international popularity through his portrayal as Tamao Serizawa in ''

Crows Zero , also known as ''Crows: Episode 0'', is a 2007 Japanese action film based on the manga ''Crows'' by Hiroshi Takahashi. The film was directed by Takashi Miike with a screenplay by Shōgo Mutō, and stars Shun Oguri, Kyōsuke Yabe, Meisa Kuroki, ...

'' film series. Japanese media often dubs him as chameleon actor for his wide acting spectrum throughout his career. He began venturing as producer with live-action web series '' Saint Young Men''. Since 2018 he releases music as the lead singer of band The XXXXXX.

Career

Yamada was born in Naha, Okinawa but raised in

Satsumasendai, Kagoshima is a city located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The modern city of Satsumasendai was established on October 12, 2004, from the merger of the city of Sendai, the towns of Hiwaki, Iriki, Kedōin and Tōgō, and the Koshikijima Islands (whi ...

until the age of 15. He is the youngest of three siblings with two older sisters, Kaori and Sayuki who worked as models for teen magazines in late 1990s. Yamada got scouted after shopping with his sisters in front of

Laforet is a department store, residence, and museum complex located in the Harajuku commercial and entertainment district of the Shibuya neighborhood, in Tokyo, Japan. Constructed over part of the old Tokyo Central Church, a newer church located behind ...

Harajuku. After being scouted, in his third year of middle school he moved from Kagoshima to Tokyo. Yamada graduated from a middle school in Tokyo but did not go to high school to focus on his acting career. He made his debut in 1999 by starring in TV drama '' Psychometrer Eiji 2''. He also had a significant role in the NHK Asadora: Churasan (ちゅらさん) in 2001. His breakout was the 2003 TV drama about men synchronized swimming '' Water Boys'', taking the lead role as Kankuro Shindo. He was chosen to portray Shindo through audition among hundreds of young actors. Yamada continued his success in leading role with ''

'' as Sakutaro Matsumoto the year after. In the same year, he got Newcomer Award at 2004

Elan d'or Awards The are awards presented annually by the All Nippon Producers Association (ANPA) in Japan to recognize outstanding achievements in domestic motion pictures and television. The first ceremony was held in 1956. Up until 1960, the Elan d'or Awards ...

and was appointed as first image character of newly reformed

Tokyo Metro The is a major rapid transit system in Tokyo, Japan, operated by the Tokyo Metro Co. With an average daily ridership of 6.84 million passengers, the Tokyo Metro is the larger of the two subway operators in the city; the other being the Toe ...

. As of 2017, Yamada was the only male image character

has ever had. After his triumphant breakout on television, he got his first movie lead role in ''

Densha Otoko is a Japanese movie, television series, manga, novel, and other media, all based on the purportedly true story of a 23-year-old ''otaku'' who intervened when a drunk man started to harass several women on a train. The ''otaku'' ultimate ...

'' which later became Japan's 14th best selling movie of 2005. In 2002 he released a CD with a couple of songs (with the backup versions), as well as a DVD with the musical video for the theme song.
He collaborated with

Jin Akanishi is a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter and actor. He has been active since 1998 as one of the two lead vocalists of the J-pop boy-band KAT-TUN before starting a solo career in 2009. Akanishi has also acted in several films and dramas. Biog ...

in August 2016 to form the unit called "Jintaka", which disbanded 2 months later. And in 2018, together with

Gō Ayano is a Japanese actor. Career Ayano was featured in several roles beginning in 2003. In 2009, he appeared in Takashi Miike's '' Crows Zero 2''. His role in the film was described by Mark Schilling of ''The Japan Times'' as "a tall, pale-faced, del ...

(guitar), and Asahi Uchida (synthesizer), forms the unit "The xxxxxx" (read as: ''"The Six"'') (Yamada is vocals).

Filmography

Series

Film

Voice work

Documentary

Musicals

Commercials

Discography

Other Musical Collaborations

* Directed music video for "Tee"'s song ', and makes a cameo appearance in it (May 31, 2016). * '' ''(Cannes no Kyuujitsu feat. Yamada Takayuki),

Fujifabric is a Japanese rock band formed in 2000. While their music can be mostly categorized as alternative rock or power pop, their music usually consists of an eclectic mix of genres, including jazz, disco and progressive rock. Name origin Before the ...

's single (February 2, 2017)

Awards and nominations

Awards

* 2004: 42nd Television Drama Academy Awards – Best Actor for ''

'' * 2004: 8th Nikkan Sports Drama Awards – Best Leading Actor ranked 2nd for ''Socrates in Love'' * 2004: Japanese Academy Prize – Best Newcomer * 2005: Oricon Best Leading Film Actors – Best Leading Actor ranked 4th for ''

'' * 2006: 48th Television Drama Academy Awards – Best Actor for ''Byakuyakō'' 'Journey_Under_the_Midnight_Sun''.html" ;"title="Journey_Under_the_Midnight_Sun.html" ;"title="'Journey Under the Midnight Sun">'Journey Under the Midnight Sun''">Journey_Under_the_Midnight_Sun.html" ;"title="'Journey Under the Midnight Sun">'Journey Under the Midnight Sun''* 2011: New York Asian Film Festival – Star Asia Rising Star Award

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Yamada, Takayuki Japanese male film actors Japanese male musical theatre actors Japanese male rock singers Japanese male television actors Japanese male voice actors 1983 births Actors from Kagoshima Prefecture Living people People from Naha Stardust Promotion artists Musicians from Kagoshima Prefecture 20th-century Japanese male actors 21st-century Japanese male actors 20th-century Japanese male singers 20th-century Japanese singers 21st-century Japanese male singers 21st-century Japanese singers