Jin Akanishi Follow

Akanishi Jin is a former member of the boyband KAT-TUN and also one of the most popular members of said group. Apart from acting in several dramas, he is known for penning several songs for KAT-TUN, such as Hesitate, Care, Murasaki and Love or Like.

It was announced in October 2006 that Akanishi would take an indefinite hiatus from KAT-TUN in order to study language abroad. The official statement posted a minimum time of six months depending on his success in his studies and during a press conference also cited health issues.

On the 18th of April 2007, Johnny's Entertainment announced the return of Akanishi. At a press conference held on April 20th, he mentioned that he took voice lessons in America during the latter half of his stay so that he would not fall behind once he got back.

He was also present at the Sendai concert soon after where he performed Real Face during the encore. Although he admitted that he had forgotten most of his lyrics while on hiatus, the other members of KAT-TUN were quick to assure him that they would re-teach him everything he needed to know.
Rocking in LANDS

At the fashion event of Tokyo Girls Collection on September 5, 2009. Jin appeared as a special guest to promote his new movie, Bandage. He performed the movie's theme song which marked his as the solo debut under the temporary group [LANDS]. It was released on November 25, 2009 and each copy contained a postcard to enter a drawing for tickets to LANDS special concert, held on January 16, 2010 in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. On January 13, 2010, LANDS released their album, Olympos.
Going solo

In 2010, he began a series of solo concerts, Star Live You & Jin, comprising a total of 32 shows from February 7, 2010 to February 28, 2010. The song "A Page" featured at his concerts, was released as part of [KAT-TUN]'s 11th single, "Love Yourself (Kimi ga Kirai na Kimi ga Suki)," on the 2nd limited edition on February 10, 2010. He composed and arranged the song "A Page." He also co-wrote its lyrics.

Announced on March 24, 2010, Akanishi's solo tour You & Jin had a 3 show tour in Los Angeles, California on June 19 and June 20. The solo tour tickets were sold out in the first hour when it began to sell on April 15. In the last show of his You&Jin concert Akanishi announced a tour in the United States. In July 2010, it was announced that he would leave the band KAT-TUN, becoming a solo artist of Johnny's & Associates.

On November, his futuristic tour Yellow Gold 3010, took part in Chicago, New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The tour featured was held entirely in English, including 14 English-language songs that are mostly written and produced by the singer himself.

On December 9th it has been announced his global record contract with Warner Music Japan.

Early life
Born in the Chiba Prefecture on July 4, 1984, Akanishi is the eldest child. His family consists of his parents and a younger brother, Reio, who also works in the entertainment industry as an actor under the stage name, Fuuta. His given name, Jin ("benevolence"), comes from one of the five Confucian virtues. He moved to Tokyo in the first grade. He is the best friend of Tomohisa Yamashita and the two remain close today. In 1997, when he was still in grade school, a classmate sent in a photo of him to idol magazine, Myojo, and he was featured in the "Cool Classmates" corner of the issue.[8] Akanishi expressed interest in the entertainment industry and his mother thus sent in an application to Johnny's Entertainment on his behalf in 1998. Though he technically failed his audition on November 8, 1998, he was told to stay when he tried to return his number plate to a man who happened to be Johnny Kitagawa himself. He entered Johnny & Associates at the same time as future bandmates Kazuya Kamenashi and Yuichi Nakamaru.

Acting career

Akanishi made his debut as an actor in 1999 in a cameo appearance in the second episode of NTV's romance comedy, P.P.O.I., and also had small roles in TV Asahi's Best Friend, Omae no yukichi ga naiteiru and in NHK series, Haregi, Koko Ichiban. He also started appearing in musicals from 2000 taking on supporting roles in Millennium Shock (2000), Show Geki Shock (2001-2002), Dream Boy (2004) and Dream Boys (2006). Akanishi returned to the small screen in 2005 in the second season of the award-winning and popular NTV school drama, Gokusen, starring opposite Yukie Nakama and bandmate Kazuya Kamenashi. The show won "Best Drama" at the 44th Television Drama Academy Awards and ended its run with an average viewership rating of 27.8%. He also had a supporting role in NTV's romance series, Anego, the same year.

In 2007, Akanishi starred in his first lead role in Yukan Club, a school comedy series, alongside bandmate Junnosuke Taguchi and was voted "Best Actor" at the 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix. He made his debut as a voice actor in 2008 for the Japanese dub of Speed Racer, providing the voice for protagonist Speed played by Emile Hirsch.[20]

In 2009, Akanishi was cast as the lead actor in the movie, Bandage, directed by Takeshi Kobayashi and which is scheduled for release on January 16, 2010. This will be his big screen debut. Close