Kazunari Ninomiya

Kazunari Ninomiya, born on June 17, 1983, in Katsushika, Tokyo, is a Japanese actor, singer, songwriter, voice actor, presenter, and radio host. He gained widespread prominence as a member of the Japanese idol group Arashi, originally formed under Johnny & Associates before transitioning to Starto Entertainment. Within the group, he was widely recognized for his acting capabilities. In October 2023, Ninomiya became independent from his long-time agency to pursue his individual activities while remaining open to future group projects with Arashi.

Raised as the youngest child alongside an older sister, Ninomiya came from a culinary family background, as both of his parents worked as chefs at Hattori Nutrition College. Upon his birth, his grandfather designated him as the heir to the family's windshield wiper manufacturing business. Ninomiya entered the entertainment industry in 1996 at age thirteen after his cousin submitted an application to Johnny & Associates on his behalf, followed by encouragement from his mother. He completed high school in March 2002.

Ninomiya began his acting career in 1997 prior to Arashi's musical debut, starring in a theatrical production of Stand by Me. He later took on main roles in various theatrical plays, including Yukio Ninagawa's Shibuya Kara Tooku Hanarete in 2004, Rebel Without a Cause in 2005, and Mishiranu Jokyaku in 2009. On television, he made his debut in the 1998 drama Amagi Goe, followed by his first leading television role in Abunai Hokago in 1999. In October 1999, he starred alongside his fellow bandmates in the short drama V no Arashi.

Throughout the 2000s, Ninomiya appeared in numerous television series and drama specials, such as Stand Up!!, Minami-kun no Koibito, Yasashii Jikan, and Haikei, Chichiue-sama. His performance as the eldest sibling in Ryusei no Kizuna earned him the Best Actor award at the 59th Television Drama Academy Awards and a nomination at the 49th Monte-Carlo Television Festival. He also starred in a moving drama trilogy consisting of Sukoshi wa, Ongaeshi ga Dekitakana, Marathon, and Door to Door; his roles in Door to Door and Ryusei no Kizuna won him an Individual Award at the 46th Galaxy Awards. His later television works include Tengoku de Kimi ni Aetara, Saigo no Yakusoku, and Freeter, Ie o Kau.

In film, Ninomiya made his feature debut in the 2002 movie Pikanchi Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy, subsequently starring in The Blue Light in 2003 and the Pikanchi sequel in 2004. In 2006, he became the first performer from his talent agency to appear in a Hollywood film, playing the soldier Saigo in Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima. That same year, he ventured into voice acting by voicing the protagonist Black in the animated movie Tekkon Kinkreet.

Alongside his group work with Arashi, Ninomiya frequently composed and penned lyrics for his solo tracks, including Konseki, Niji, Gimmick Game, and 1992*4##111, as well as composing the group's bonus track Fight Song. In 2022, he released his first solo cover album, Marumaru to Ninomiya to, which topped the Oricon download chart, followed by a second cover album in July 2025. In late 2023, he established his own company, Office Nino, inc., and launched an official website.

In 2024, Ninomiya launched the smartphone application DigiNino and opened his official fan club, Office Nino Holdings. He also hosted the TV Tokyo pet-themed variety show Geki kawa petto dai shugo! Wan Nyan Ninoland. His long-running Nippon Television show Nino san was scheduled to conclude in March 2026. Additionally, Ninomiya was chosen as the ambassador for the Secret Cinema event held in June 2026 and announced plans for fan events, including his Kazunari Ninomiya FC Live Showcase.