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 During his youth, Takahashi was withdrawn and his grandmother would push him to take lessons in order for him to come out of his shell, but he never managed to commit to any of them.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
During production of the second season, Issey gave the character designer, Isao Tsuge, the idea of making the jagged edges on Rohan's headband shaper to be more faithul to the manga. In the third season, Issey 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

 * Takahashi was a fan of Rohan since he was in high school.
 * 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.