Kenichi Matsuyama - Actor Profile

Kenichi Matsuyama

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Mar 5, 1985
Birth Place: Aomori Prefecture, Japan

About Kenichi Matsuyama

Kenichi Matsuyama (松山 ケンイチ, Matsuyama Ken'ichi, born March 5, 1985) is a Japanese actor. He is known for his affinity for strange character roles, and he is best known internationally for playing L in the 2006 films Death Note, Death Note 2: The Last Name and L: Change the World in 2008, as well as voicing Gelus in the Death Note animated adaptation. He was cast to play lead character Toru Watanabe in the film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's novel Norwegian Wood, which was released in December 2010.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Kenichi Matsuyama reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Kenichi Matsuyama's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 66% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Kenichi Matsuyama remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Something Like, Something Like It, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Kenichi Matsuyama Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Kenichi Matsuyama's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Kenichi Matsuyama.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Oi, Dazai - Hit Similar →
2024 Saint Young Men The Movie ~Holy Men vs Demon Army~ Jesus Hit Similar →
2023 We're Broke, My Lord! Shinjiro Matsudaira Hit Similar →
2023 Do Unto Others Munenori Shiba Super Hit Similar →
2022 Dreaming of the Meridian Arc - Super Hit Similar →
2021 Riverside Mukolitta Takeshi Yamada Hit Similar →
2021 Blue Nobuto Urita Hit Similar →
2021 Brave: Gunjyou Senki Nobunaga Oda Hit Similar →
2020 Mio's Cookbook - Super Hit Similar →
2020 Saint Young Men 3 イエス Average Similar →
2019 From Miyamoto to You Kazuo Jinbo Average Similar →
2019 Saint Young Men 2nd Century Jesus Average Similar →
2019 Promare / Side: Galo Galo Thymos (voice) Hit Similar →
2019 Promare Galo Thymos (voice) Hit Similar →
2019 Promare / Side: Lio Galo Thymos (voice) Hit Similar →
2019 Fortress of Skulls - Super Hit Similar →
2017 Yurigokoro Yosuke Hit Similar →
2017 Sekigahara Naoe Kanetsugu Hit Similar →
2016 Satoshi: A Move for Tomorrow Satoshi Murayama Average Similar →
2016 Death Note: Light Up the NEW World L Average Similar →
2016 Rage Tetsuya Tashiro Hit Similar →
2016 Something Like, Something Like It Shinden Defunetei Super Hit Similar →
2015 The Emperor in August Takeo Sasaki Average Similar →
2015 Chasuke's Journey Chasuke Average Similar →
2014 Climbing to Spring Toru Super Hit Similar →
2014 Buddha 2: The Endless Journey Tatta (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2013 The Kiyosu Conference Hidemasa Hori Hit Similar →
2012 Train Brain Express Kei Komachi Average Similar →
2011 Bunny Drop Daikichi Kawachi Hit Similar →
2011 Gantz: Perfect Answer Masaru Kato Hit Similar →
2011 Another Gantz Masaru Kato Hit Similar →
2010 Gantz Masaru Kato Hit Similar →
2010 Norwegian Wood Toru Watanabe Average Similar →
2009 Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler Makoto Sahara Hit Similar →
2009 Kamui Kamui Average Similar →
2009 Bare Essence of Life Youjin Mizuki Average Similar →
2008 Detroit Metal City Sôichi Negishi / Johannes Krauser II Average Similar →
2008 Death Note: L Change the WorLd L Average Similar →
2008 Sex Is No Laughing Matter Mirume Average Similar →
2007 Tsubaki Sanjuro Iori Isaka Average Similar →
2007 Prodigy Oto Kikuna Hit Similar →
2007 Ten Nights of Dreams Shotaro Average Similar →
2006 Death Note: The Last Name L Hit Similar →
2006 Vanished Tomohiko Average Similar →
2006 Death Note L Hit Similar →
2005 Custom Made 10.30 Tamotu Super Hit Similar →
2005 Nana Shinichi Okazaki Hit Similar →
2005 Linda Linda Linda Makihara Super Hit Similar →
2004 The Taste of Tea Young Man in Red T-Shirt Super Hit Similar →
2003 Bright Future Jun Hit Similar →

Kenichi Matsuyama - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Kenichi Matsuyama?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Kenichi Matsuyama is "Something Like, Something Like It" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Kenichi Matsuyama acted in?

Kenichi Matsuyama has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Kenichi Matsuyama?

Other notable films include "Climbing to Spring", "Mio's Cookbook", and "Dreaming of the Meridian Arc".