Kento Nakajima

Kento Nakajima
中島健人
Born (1994-03-13) March 13, 1994
Tokyo, Japan
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
  • voice actor
  • television personality
Years active2008–present
Agent(s)Starto Entertainment (2024–present)
Smile-Up (2023–2024)
Johnny & Associates (2008–2023)
Musical career
GenresJ-pop
InstrumentVocals
Labels
Member ofGemn
Formerly of
Websitenakajimakento.com

Kento Nakajima (Japanese: 中島健人, Hepburn: Nakajima Kento; born March 13, 1994)[1] is a Japanese singer, actor, voice actor and television personality. He is best known as being a member of the Japanese idol groups Sexy Zone and Yuma Nakayama w/B.I.Shadow.[2]

Career

Early career

When he was in 6th grade, Nakajima listened to the song "Seishun Amigo" by Johnny & Associates temporary unit Shūji to Akira, formed by KAT-TUN's Kazuya Kamenashi and NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita and became interested in Johnny's.[3] At the age of 14 years old, he sent in his application, and joined the agency in April 2008[4]

Pre debut and Sexy Zone era

In 2008, B.I.Shadow was formed as a Johnny's Jr. group. At that time the members were: Fuma Kikuchi, Misaki Takahata, and him. During that year, they acted in the drama Scrap Teacher.

He was chosen for the 5-member group Sexy Zone in 2011, when he was 17,[3] which debuted in November 16 with the release of their eponymous debut single. Their average age was 14.4, making them the youngest group to debut since the Oricon Singles Rankings began in January 1968.[5]

It was announced that Nakajima would leave the group on March 31, 2024, but continue in the agency as a talent and actor, seeking "to take on various challenges as an idol and an actor, both in Japan and abroad."[6]

GEMN and other collaborations

As a singer, Nakajima released a single in 2024, in a collaboration with Tatsuya Kitani, as the unit GEMN. The single, titled "Fatal", served as the opening theme song for the second season of anime series Oshi no Ko.[7] He also released a song as part of the "Hitogoto Project", "Hitogoto feat. Kento Nakajima", which serves as theme song for the TV Tokyo drama series "Shosen Hitogoto desu kara: Toaru Bengoshi no Honne no Shigoto" in which he appears.[8][9]

On November 20, 2025, it was announced a collaboration with Mori Calliope of Hololive on the song called Gold Unbalance.[10]

Solo era

Nakajima's solo debut was in December 25, 2024, with the release of the album N/bias. accompanied with his first solo live, "KENTO NAKAJIMA 1st Live 2025 N/bias" at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on January 17–19, 2025.[11]

On January 18, 2026, it was revealed that Nakajima would be singing the official cheer song for the 2026 Winter Olympics' Japanese team. Nakajima performed the song, Kesshō (結唱), at the "TEAM JAPAN farewell party" held at Lala Arena Tokyo Bay in Chiba on the 18th.[12]

Acting career

Nakajima made his overseas debut as an actor in Hulu / SkyShowtime's drama Concordia, which started airing on May 23, 2024.[13][14]

Other activities

YouTube and SNS

In a post dated October 17, 2024, Nakajima informed of the opening of official YouTube and TikTok accounts.[15]

Brand ambassador

On January 8, 2026, it was announced that Nakajima was appointed as brand ammbassador for Bulgari Japan [16]

Special navigator

He was one of the chosen personalities to represent the network WOWOW during the broadcast of the Academy Awards.[17][18][19][20] He studied English for this occasion and showed wonderful English-speaking skills.

Personal life

Often fondly called "Kenty", Nakajima is an only child and was raised by his mother. He loves to play the piano and often performs it during their concerts. He updates his blog KenTeaTime or 'KTT' on Johnny's web everyday, reporting his daily life to his fans. He is a big fan of the manga Kimetsu no Yaiba. He coined the term "Sexy Lovers" or セクラバ (sekurabas) for Sexy Zone fans. He owns a toy poodle he named, "Bonita" or "Boni-chan".

He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sociology at Meiji Gakuin University.[21]

Filmography

TV series

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2008 Scrap Teacher Kento Minobe [22]
2009 Koishite Akuma: Vampire Boy Hiroto Handa [23]
2011 You Taught Me All the Precious Things Kentaro Kodama [24]
Umareru. Koji Hayashida [25]
2012 Kazoku no Uta Kosei Sakagami [26]
2013 Bad Boys J Tsukasa Kiriki Lead role [27]
2014 Kurofuku Monogatari Akira Ogawa Lead role [28]
2015 Defying Kurosaki-kun Haruto Kurosaki Lead role; miniseries [29]
2016 Guard Center 24 Mamoru Shinomiya Lead role; television film [30]
2018 Cops' N Robbers Tsutomu Madarame Lead role [31]
The Story of Shotaro Ishinomori, the Man Who Created a Hero Shotaro Ishinomori Lead role; 24 Hour Television film special [32]
2019 Castle of Sand (2019) Eiryo Waga Television film [33]
2020 Detective Novice Kai Honma Lead role [34]
2021 She Was Pretty (Japanese series) Sousuke Hasebe Lead role [35]
2023 Legal Enforcement with Dogs Yūsuke Kurihara [36]
2024 Living-Room Matsunaga-san Jun Matsunaga Lead role [37]
Concordia (drama) Akira John "A.J." Ohba Overseas drama debut [38][39][13]
In the End, It's Someone Else's Problem Osamu Yasuda [40]
2026 Song of the Samurai Okada Izō [41]
S and X Ichito Shimotori Lead role [42]

Variety and other programs

Year Title Notes Ref(s)
2026 Nakajima Shigeoka Iwamoto no nakayoshi trio tabi taishi ni naritai! National travel and promotion with the aim to become a tourism ambassador.

Hosted with Daiki Shigeoka (West.) and Hikaru Iwamoto (Snow Man)

[43]

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2013 Bad Boys J: The Movie Tsukasa Kiriki Lead role [44]
2014 Silver Spoon Yūgo Hachiken Lead role [45]
2016 The Black Devil and the White Prince Haruto Kurosaki Lead role [46]
2017 The Anthem of the Heart Takumi Sakagami Lead role [47]
Teen Bride Nao Tsurugi Lead role [48]
2018 Nisekoi Raku Ichijo Lead role [49]
2022 Love Like the Falling Petals Haruto Asakura Lead role [50]
Fragments of the Last Will Takeo Shintani [51]
2023 Confess to Your Crimes Kōji Uda Lead role [52]
2025 My Beloved Stranger Riku Lead role [53]
2026 Love≠Comedy Reiji Kanzaki Lead role [54]

Animation series

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2014 Silver Spoon Aoyama Episode 8 [55]

Dubbing

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, peak chart positions and sales
Title Details Peak positions Sales
JPN
[57] 		JPN
Cmb.
[58] 		JPN
Hot
[59]
N / Bias[60] 3 3 10
Idol1st
  • Released: February 18, 2026
  • Label: Sony Japan
  • Formats: CD+DVD, CD+BD, CD, DL, streaming
 1 1 1

Singles

List of singles, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name
Title Year Peaks Certifications Album
JPN
[63] 		JPN
Cmb.
[64] 		JPN
Hot
[65]
"Fatal" (ファタール)
(with Tatsuya Kitani as Gemn) 		2024 5 2 3 Non-album single
"Hitogoto" (ヒトゴト)[67]
(as Hitogoto featuring Kento Nakajima) 		5 5 28
"Picaresque" (ピカレスク)[68] — — —[A] N / Bias
"Montage"[70]
(with Hiroyuki Sawano) 		2025 3 2 8 Idol1st
"Idolic" 3 4 6
"XTC" 2026 — — 67
"Gods' Play"[71]
(featuring Naomi Watanabe) 		— — —

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Picaresque!" did not enter the Billboard Japan Hot 100, but peaked at number 20 on the Heatseekers Songs.[69]

References

  1. ^ "Sexy Zone Official Site". ポニーキャニオン. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  2. ^ セクシーさ売りにジャニーズに新ユニット. nikkansports.com (in Japanese). September 30, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "【ヒューマン】セクシーサンキュー！セクゾ中島健人、シャイボーイが王子様キャラで突き抜けた". Sanspo (in Japanese). December 22, 2018. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Sexy Zone中島健人、ファンレターを一通も捨てたことがない！ 神対応ケンティーに「ファンになって本当によかった！」". Tsutaya T-Site (in Japanese). December 2, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ^ "【オリコン】Sexy Zone、歴代最年少「14.4歳」で首位デビュー". Oricon (in Japanese). November 22, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  6. ^ "Sexy Zone中島健人が3・31に卒業へ グループは改名後3人体制に". Oricon (in Japanese). January 8, 2024. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  7. ^ "中島健人『キタニタツヤのオールナイトニッポンX(クロス)』に生登場! キタニとの"GEMN"の謎が明らかに!?". The First Times (in Japanese). July 2, 2024. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "中島健人「HITOGOTO」は"成長・変異型主題歌" デジタル配信開始&新アートワークも公開". Oricon (in Japanese). August 9, 2024. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  9. ^ "Kento Nakajima Stars in New Drama and Launches Music Project "HITOGOTO"". Tokyohive. July 19, 2024. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  10. ^ "中島健人、バーチャルアーティスト・Mori Calliopeと初タッグ「今まで聴いたことのない僕らの音」 『ゴールデンコンビ』テーマソング担当【2人コメントあり】". Oricon (in Japanese). November 18, 2025. Archived from the original on January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  11. ^ "中島健人、初のソロアルバム&ワンマンライブ発表 制作裏、海外進出、timeleszとの約束…充実した"現在"の本音に迫る【インタビュー】". Oricon (in Japanese). October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ^ "中島健人、ミラノ五輪公式応援曲「結唱」を初披露「エールを送れたことが幸せ」". Sports Hochi (in Japanese). January 18, 2026. Archived from the original on January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  13. ^ a b Tim (October 10, 2022). "Kento Nakajima Bintangi Serial Internasional Pertamanya, Concordia". CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  14. ^ "SKYSHOWTIME: EMMY® AWARD-WINNER FRANK DOELGER'S SOCIAL-TECHNOLOGICAL THRILLER CONCORDIA PREMIERES EXCLUSIVELY ON SKYSHOWTIME FROM 23 MAY". Betafilm. April 8, 2024. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  15. ^ "中島健人 Official YouTube & TikTok スタート！". Kento Nakajima's official site (in Japanese). October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  16. ^ "中島健⼈が「ブルガリ」のアンバサダーに就任 「多くの⽅々の眼差しを宝⽯のように輝かせたい」とコメント。多彩な表現力と確かな意志を携えて、ブルガリ ファミリーへ。". Elle Japan (in Japanese). January 8, 2026. Archived from the original on January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  17. ^ "中島健人 ハリウッド 映画の街を行く". Wowow (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  18. ^ "Sexy Zone中島健人、WOWOWアカデミー賞授賞式中継に3度目参加 事前番組ではMC担当". Oricon (in Japanese). January 21, 2022. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  19. ^ "Brian Donnelly on Instagram: "On the Academy Awards Red Carpet with Japanese actor, model and Heartthrob Kento Nakajima @theacademy #Oscars2020 #kentonakajima @thelabeat #MyDayInLA #Hollywood #wowow #AcademyAwards2020"". January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. ^ "Kento Nakajima: Special Guest W for the 92nd Academy Awards Live …". Japan Top News. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  21. ^ "Sexy Zones Nakajima Kento Featured". jpopasia.com.
  22. ^ "2008年10月期 土曜ドラマ". NTV official site (in Japanese). Retrieved January 29, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ^ "恋して悪魔・ヴァンパイア☆ボーイの出演者・キャスト一覧". The Television. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  24. ^ "菅田将暉、広瀬アリス、中島健人も…14年前の学園ドラマ「大切なことはすべて君が教えてくれた」で"生徒役"だった人気者たち". Web The Television (in Japanese). March 13, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  25. ^ "堀北真希、母の高齢出産に悩む娘役を熱演". Oricon (in Japanese). January 23, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  26. ^ "家族のうたの出演者・キャスト一覧". The Television. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  27. ^ "BAD BOYS J". Web The Television (in Japanese). April 6, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  28. ^ "黒服物語の出演者・キャスト一覧". The Television. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  29. ^ "Kurosaki-kun no Iinari ni Nante Naranai Live-Action Film's Trailer Previews Sexy Zone's Theme Song". Anime News Network. January 7, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  30. ^ "ガードセンター24". The Television. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  31. ^ "Cops 'n Robbers". NTV official site. Retrieved January 29, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  32. ^ "24時間テレビドラマスペシャル「ヒーローを作った男　石ノ森章太郎物語」". Web The Television (in Japanese). August 25, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  33. ^ "東山紀之がドラマ「砂の器」で主演、初共演の中島健人と心理戦「勝負しようぜ」". Natalie. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  34. ^ "注目ドラマ紹介:「未満警察 ミッドナイトランナー」中島健人×平野紫耀W主演 "警察未満"のバディーが体当たりで難事件に挑む". Mantan-web. June 27, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  35. ^ "中島健人×小芝風花で韓ドラ「彼女はキレイだった」リメイク！7月放送". Cinema Cafe. May 15, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  36. ^ "伊藤沙莉がドラマ「シッコウ!!」で織田裕二と凸凹コンビ結成、中島健人はセクシー封印". Natalie. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  37. ^ "年の差ラブコメ「リビングの松永さん」中島健人主演でドラマ化、ヒロインに高橋ひかる". Natalie. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  38. ^ "Sexy Zone中島健人が全編英語の世界配信作品で海外ドラマデビュー「幸せと緊張一気に」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  39. ^ "Kento Nakajima Starring in First International Series, Concordia". Nitoba. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  40. ^ "Shosen Hitogoto Desu kara Legal Manga Gets Live-Action Series". Anime News Network. May 16, 2024. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  41. ^ "中島健人がドラマ「ちるらん」で"人斬り以蔵"に、土方歳三役の山田裕貴と剣交える". Natalie (in Japanese). December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  42. ^ "中島健人、"セックスセラピスト"役でNetflix『SとX』主演 オファーに熟考も「今の自分ならできる」". Oricon (in Japanese). January 13, 2026. Archived from the original on January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  43. ^ "中島健人・WEST.重岡大毅・Snow Man岩本照、観光大使目指して全国巡る 地方創生バラエティ放送決定【中島・重岡・岩本の仲良しトリオ旅 大使になりたいッ！】". Model Press (in Japanese). February 28, 2026. Archived from the original on March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  44. ^ "劇場版 BAD BOYS J 最後に守るもの". eiga.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  45. ^ "銀の匙 Silver Spoon". eiga.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  46. ^ "黒崎くんの言いなりになんてならない". eiga.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  47. ^ "心が叫びたがってるんだ。". eiga.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  48. ^ "未成年だけどコドモじゃない". eiga.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  49. ^ "ニセコイ". eiga.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  50. ^ "New Japanese Film My Dearest, Like a Cherry Blossom (Working Title)". Netflix. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  51. ^ "二宮和也「ラーゲリより愛を込めて」捕虜仲間に松坂桃李、中島健人、桐谷健太、安田顕". Natalie. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  52. ^ "おまえの罪を自白しろ". eiga.com. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  53. ^ "中島健人主演映画が公開決定、ヒロインは映画初出演のmilet". Natalie. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  54. ^ "ラブ≠コメディ". eiga.com (in Japanese). Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  55. ^ "Sexy Zone中島健人、TVアニメ『銀の匙』で声優初挑戦". Oricon. October 31, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  56. ^ "中島健人と仲里依紗が「トランスフォーマー／ビースト覚醒」日本語吹替キャストに決定". Natalie. May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  57. ^ "中島健人のアルバム売上" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  58. ^ "中島健人の合算アルバム売上" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  59. ^ Peaks on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums:
  60. ^ "中島健人、ソロデビュー決定。1stアルバムリリース＆有明アリーナ3デイズ開催決定". Barks (in Japanese). October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  61. ^ オリコン週間 アルバムランキング 2024年12月23日～2024年12月29日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking December 23, 2024 – December 29, 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  62. ^ オリコン週間 アルバムランキング 2026年02月16日～2026年02月22日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking February 16, 2026 – February 22, 2026] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 25, 2026. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  63. ^ Peaks on the Oricon Singles Chart:
  64. ^
  65. ^ Peaks on the Billboard Japan Hot 100:
  66. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – GEMN – ファタール - Fatal" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved March 28, 2025. Select 2025年2月 on the drop-down menu
  67. ^ "中島健人、音楽プロジェクト「HITOGOTO」始動 主演ドラマ『しょせん他人事ですから』主題歌リリース決定". CDJournal (in Japanese). July 20, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  68. ^ "中島健人ソロデビューアルバム『N / bias』より、リード曲「ピカレスク」MV公開&先行配信開始". The First Times (in Japanese). October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  69. ^ "Billboard Japan Heatseekers Songs – Week of November 20, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  70. ^ "アニメ「謎解きはディナーのあとで」OPアーティストは中島健人 澤野弘之が楽曲提供". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). April 5, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  71. ^ 多木汐里 (February 11, 2026). "中島健人、2ndアルバム『IDOL1ST』より渡辺直美とのコラボ楽曲「Gods'Play feat Naomi Watanabe」先行配信＆MV公開決定". Barks (in Japanese). Retrieved February 13, 2026.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.