Kouhei Higuchi look.1
Actor Kouhei Higuchi, who first rose to prominence through a tokusatsu hero series that launched his career and has since appeared in numerous high-profile works, makes an appearance here. Known not only on screen but also for his striking presence on the street thanks to his beautiful proportions, he wears “DENIVITA™,” a series made with Japanese denim. Layering chic black denim with a naturally washed finish and a shirt, he presents a mode-inspired style that blends seamlessly into the city.
“I often put together outfits centered around black. Lately, I’ve been drawn to pieces that are simple and fresh but still have enough design to stand out on their own, so I really liked look.1. The denim set has leather on the collar, which gives it a mature feel, and pairing it with patterned boots lets me show some individuality too. The overall impression is subtly chic, so even just rolling up the sleeves adds character. It’s the kind of style that’s easy for me to personalize, so the shoot was a lot of fun.”
“I’m not the type to chase trends, but I’ve always thought I should at least keep up with the key fashion points of the moment,” he says, explaining that he has long been interested in fashion. After becoming an actor and encountering all kinds of clothing through costumes, he came to appreciate fashion even more.
“Through wearing all sorts of costumes on set, I’ve met versions of myself I’d never seen before again and again. Each time, I discover things like, ‘This kind of clothing suits me too,’ or ‘I can try a style like this as well.’ Fashion is something important that helps a person shine even more. I think it can help you become the person you aspire to be, or even transform you into a completely new version of yourself. For someone who expresses themselves through their work, it’s also an important weapon.”
When choosing his own clothes, he makes use of the sensibilities he has developed through seeing and touching costumes, while also gathering information on social media.
“I don’t chase trends, but if I see something on social media that catches my eye, I’ll ‘like’ it or save it to keep the image in mind. Then I look at it again later, and if I still think it’s good, I go out and find something similar to buy. I don’t overthink it, so I shop really fast.”
Asked how he spends his private time, he breaks into a smile and says, “Saunas are my life’s work.” He is a true sauna enthusiast, going alone at least four times a week and even heading there with friends if they can match schedules for just an hour. It is an essential time in his life to relax and refresh both body and mind.
“When I meet up with friends, I feel like I can return to my natural self and relax, and on top of that, it feels like a bonus because I can also get bath time out of the way at the same time (laughs). Even if I’ve been on set from morning until night and have work again early the next day, I’ll still go for a quick session. I might actually go even more when I’m busy or tired.
What first led him to saunas was soccer, which he seriously pursued with hopes of going pro during his student days. Back then, he and his seniors and teammates practiced half-body baths after training to recover from fatigue. They would soak halfway, work up a gentle sweat, then cool down with a cold shower, repeating the process. Because he could really feel the fatigue leaving his body, he naturally started going to saunas as well, inviting close friends along, since they offered a similar effect.”
Another important presence that helps him stay grounded amid his busy days, he says, is his friends and fellow actors.
“I have a group of friends I see often, and I truly love them. They’re genuinely bright and funny, and just talking with them makes me think, ‘Life is richer because I have friends.’ Of course, I also need time alone to sort out my thoughts and feelings, but when I spend too much time thinking, I sometimes suddenly start worrying, like, ‘Am I really going to be okay as an actor?’ or feel mentally drained. But even at times like that, when I see my friends, my spirits lift, my feelings return to neutral, and I can become positive again.
I also really love spending time with actor friends of my own generation. They’re all people I respect, and being around them makes me want to work harder so I can stand on the same level. We don’t say it out loud, but inwardly we push each other to do better. It’s not like we’re constantly conscious of it, so maybe that’s only about 5 percent of the time we’re together, and the other 95 percent we’re just genuinely having fun hanging out (laughs). But every now and then, I think, ‘Everyone else is working hard and thriving too, so I can’t lose either,’ and it sharpens my mindset. The people around me are also a source of energy for what I do.”
What becomes clear from Higuchi’s words is that he always faces himself calmly and knows where to place his heart. He understands how to keep himself in good spirits. Perhaps that is because he has continued to work sincerely as an actor, taking on many different kinds of people unlike himself and drawing up every kind of emotion.
“Recently, I’ve been paying attention to the balance between my on and off modes. Every actor has their own way of approaching a role, so I think some people do better when they clearly switch between on and off. But in my case, when I tried to switch on completely before going to set, I sometimes ended up putting too much pressure on myself or getting too nervous. After trying different things, I’ve come to approach the set with about 70 percent on and 30 percent off. It’s like gradually shifting into on mode while still holding on to the relaxed feeling of being off. Calm, but still with a sense of tension. It’s a feeling I arrived at through experience, so it’s hard to get the balance right every time, but for now, this is the best way for me.
That said, this is just how I prepare myself mentally, so once I’m on set, I of course respond flexibly to the situation. For example, if it’s a very lively and cheerful scene, it might be fine to increase the off ratio. On the other hand, there are times when it’s better to perform while staying extremely tense. In the end, I think what matters is understanding the image the director is aiming for, the opinions of my co-stars, and the atmosphere of the scene, sharing that with everyone, and then fully carrying out my role.”
While valuing harmony with those around him, he continues to update his sense of where he should be in the present. This is the world of acting that has captivated Higuchi—passionate yet truly cool. Attention is focused on the challenges of a man who keeps running forward.
Direction : Shinsuke Nozaka
Photo : Yoshiaki Sekine
Movie : Maho Tomono
Stylist : Yusuke Yamaguchi
Hair & Make up : Kaco (ADDICT CASE)
Text : Hisamoto Chikaraishi (S/T/D/Y)
■PROFILE
Born on November 30, 2000, in Hyogo Prefecture, he played the lead role of Taro Momoi / Don Momotaro in Avataro Sentai Donbrothers, which began airing in 2022. His recent works include the dramas MADDER: Sono Jiken, Watashi ga Hannin desu (2025 / Kansai TV, Fuji TV), Koifure: Koibito Miman ga Chodo Ii (2025 / MBS), Kokoro (2025 / MBS), and the film Nemurubaka (2025 / Pony Canyon), among others. Yo ni mo Kimyo na Monogatari ’26 Summer Special is scheduled to air on June 27. He will play Zantetsu Tsurugi in the film Blue Lock, set for release on August 7.
