Issey Takahashi

Issey Takahashi (高橋 一生) is a Japanese actor and singer credited for his role in the Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan TV drama as the lead character, Rohan Kishibe.

Takahashi is also known for his roles as Yusaku Fukuhara in ', Takashi Hayashida in ', Seiji Amasawa in , and Mohei Kaibara in Tami-ō.

Biography
Issey Takahashi was born in Akasaka, Minato Ward, on December 9, 1980. He had four half-siblings because his mother had remarried several times. He looked after his half-brothers when they were infants. During his youth, Takahashi was withdrawn and his grandmother would push him to take lessons in order for him to come out of his shell, but he never managed to commit to any of them. It is only when he saw his grandmother cry of joy during a recital of a children's theater company that he took a genuine interest in acting.

Takahashi's first role was in the movie Hoshiwotsugumono in 1990. He would continue as an actor and voice actor in various movies and TV series. Takahashi also graduated from in 1999. In 2004, Takahashi had his first lead role as Kiyoshi Imawano in the TV series. In 2015, he won the Supporting Actor Award at the 1st Confidence Award Drama Award and the 86th The Television Drama Academy Awards for his role as Mohei Keibara in Tami-ō. Takahashi would appear in various lead roles in TV series such as, Miracles, Tokyo Bachelors or , earning awards such as the 42nd Elan d'or Awards as "Newcomer of the Year", or the 31st Nikkan Sports Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor.

Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan
Takahashi had been a fan of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure mangas and the character of Rohan since he was in high school. According to him, when he received the phone call about an offer to play Rohan, he was so happy that he "began dancing with the phone on his hand".

Takahashi was also heavily involved with the character's costume design; during production of the second season, he gave the character designer, Isao Tsuge, the idea of making the jagged edges on Rohan's headband shaper to be more faithful to the manga. In the third season, he also suggested to change the headband from faux leather to real leather, eventually deciding to use horse leather.

On August 4, 2022, Takahashi was reported to be in a relationship with co-star, Marie Iitoyo, who played Kyoka Izumi in the TV Drama. According to Iitoyo's friends, despite their age difference, the two had great chemistry and shared a passion for cooking. It had been previously reported that the two moved into the same apartment building shortly after the filming of the TV drama had ended.

Trivia

 * Aside from Rohan, Takahashi's favorite character is Josuke Higashikata.
 * Takahashi refers Rohan to as "Rohan-chan", similarly to Reimi Sugimoto in Diamond is Unbreakable.
 * According to Takahashi, if he had to choose what Stand to use in real life, he would pick Heaven's Door over The World - since the latter's ability takes time to activate - so that he can read his past memories and "take a glimpse of who he is".