is a Japanese actor. He had a leading role in the television series Naoki Hanzawa.
Career Sakai aspired to become a bureaucrat until high school, but when he entered university, he decided to pursue a career as an actor.
He won the award for best actor at the 31st Yokohama Film Festival for The Wonderful World of Captain Kuhio and The Chef of South Polar and the award for best supporting actor at the 2008 Nikkan Sports Film Award, at the 33rd Hochi Film Award and at the 51st Blue Ribbon Awards. He also received a nomination for best supporting actor at the 32nd Japan Academy Film Prize.
Personal life He is married to Japanese actress and J-pop singer Miho Kanno. He has two children with his wife, eldest being a boy born in 2015 and the younger being a girl born in 2018.
Filmography Film Year Title RoleNotes 2000HimawariYuichi Hirano2007The Wall ManNishinaLead role2008After SchoolKazuki Kimura2009The Chef of South PolarNishimuraLead roleThe Wonderful World of Captain KuhioCaptain KuhioLead role2011My So Has Got DepressionMikio2012Key of LifeSakuraiLead role2017Destiny: The Tale of Kamakura Masakazu IsshikiLead role2018Sakura Guardian in the North Shūjirō Ezure2019Promare Kray Foresight (voice)2022Dr. Coto's Clinic 2022 Kei NarumiCameo appearance2025A Moon in the OrdinaryKensho AotoLead role
Television Year Title RoleNotes 2000AudreyHideki SugimotoAsadora2004Shinsengumi!Yamanami KeisukeTaiga drama2008AtsuhimeTokugawa IesadaTaiga drama2011AntarcticaHimuro Haruhiko2012–13Legal HighKensuke KomikadoLead role; 2 seasons 2013–20Naoki HanzawaNaoki HanzawaLead role; 2 seasons2015Dr. Rintaro, PsychiatristDr. Rintarō HinoLead role2016Sanada MaruSanada YukimuraLead role; Taiga drama2023–26VivantYūsuke Nogi / F, Liu MingxuanLead role; 2 seasons
Dubbing Live-action YearTitleRoleVoice dub forNotes 2018Christopher RobinChristopher RobinEwan McGregor
Animation YearTitleRoleNotes 2024MigrationMack Mallard
References
External links IMDb - Masato Sakai