It's Suda Masaki!!
I thought my Japanese crush will only be as less as two people yet I found this guy so endearing and attractive, not because of his looks nor smile nor face nor body nor whatever. He is pure talent, maturity and growth.
I first saw him after watching "High School Debut" around '12 or '13, though I have to admit I watched it because of Mizobata Junpei (I just finished rewatching Hana Kimi back then so I thought it would be nice to see what they are all doing now as individuals). He was cute, I thought, but not cute enough to smitten me. And so I forgot him.
Second time I saw him was on "Hidamari no Kanojo" as Matsumoto Jun's younger brother. I watched it because of Matsumoto of course plus Ueno Juri (she's so cute!) but then I saw him again. I did not even recognize him immediately. I have to see the casts and their former roles just so I could remember them. His role was not significant but he played it well, I thought, but not good enough to impress me. And so I forgot him.
I was watching "Itazura na Kiss 2" for the nth time when I decided to look for more Furukawa Yuki (another great actor we have here) roles so I looked him up on the web. That is when I realized Yuki was one of Mizobata Junpei's friends in "High School Debut"! That movie is so memorable so I rewatched the movie again and then it hit me. That is the time I realize the cute face of this fellow:
I was so into his smile that I looked him up on the web as quickly as I can and then realized he was the younger brother of Jun in "Hidamari no Kanojo"! I also read some blogs about how he is really a great and amazing actor that I finally searched more of his dramas and movies and the rest is history.
There would be more reasons why I like this guy but here are some:
1. He is versatile. He can pull of any acting styles and even his looks are versatile!
2. His laugh. I love to hear his laugh. It is very original and Suda-ish.
3. His personality. I still have to know more about this but so far, I know he is unique and humble.
4. His passion. It is obvious how much he loves acting. He makes sure to put his best efforts and that nothing is wasted. He is always ready to accept different roles which proves his versatility and willingness to grow even more in his craft.
5. He loves challenges. I have not known any artists who stretched their roles from a bad boy to a crossdresser, nor from a weirdo to cute. Maybe there are more but I just love how every roles of his is bold, believable, and challenging.
I hope to see him try bolder and out-of-the-box roles in the future. It would surely make him fly to places he has not gone before. Will watch more of his shows too.
The list below is his dramas/movies I have researched (will use strikethrough to tick what I've watched so far):
1. High School Debut
2. Hidamari no Kanojo
3. Backwater (though I didn't finish it as I can't accept the very sexy scenes)
4. Princess Jellyfish (he's so cuuuuuute here and it seems like he's enjoying every bit of his costumes)
5. Assassination Classroom 1 & 2
6. Shinigami-kun
7. Daily Life of High School Boys
8. 35-sai no Kokosei
9. Kageri Yuku Natsu
10. Prime Minister
11. Death Note: Light Up the New World
12. Gintama*
13.Oboreru Knife
14. Teiichi no Kuni*
15. Kiseki (I watched this without subs but it didn't stop me to not watch)
16. Pink and Gray
* - no available subs yet/still on-production
Will post more about this cutie later on. :)