<figure id="attachment_351749" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-351749" style="width: 544px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="1d0e841d"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2023/12/f781b77e82964f1937091958e4b21e63.png" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-351749" class="wp-caption-text">Since resuming his acting career, Ito says he has received high praise from those involved. Is he ready to return to terrestrial broadcasting?</figcaption></figure>
<p> Actor Kentaro Ito (26), who gave an outstanding performance in a hot new movie, continues to gain momentum.</p>
<p> Ito got his big break in 2006 when he played the semi-leading role in &#8220;From Today I Am‼&#8221; (Nippon Television Network). He appeared in a number of high-profile productions, but disappeared from the public eye after a hit-and-run scandal in October 2008. About a year later, in October 2009, he returned to the stage in &#8220;SOULFUL SOUL,&#8221; in which he starred. In 2010, he returned to the movies with &#8220;Winter Rose.</p>
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<p><span class="strongInContent"> Last May, he played the lead role in the movie &#8220;The Quiet Don,&#8221; and in the movie &#8220;Ano Hana ga Saku Hills, Ano Watashi no Haka de Kimi ni Metatara (If I Meet You Again on the Hill Where the Flowers Bloom),&#8221; which opened in theaters on December 8, 2010, he played the lead role in a suicide mission at a young age. In the movie &#8220;Ano Hana ga Saku Oka de, Kimi wo Metamete&#8221; (If I Meet You Again on That Flower Blooming Hill), which opened in theaters on December 8, Ito passionately plays the difficult role of a young man who is chosen to join a suicide squad at a young age.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Ito&#8217;s contemporaries include such leading actors as Takumi Kitamura (26) and Taishi Nakagawa (25). It is no exaggeration to say that he is the No. 1 actor of his generation in terms of high acting ability and flexibility among them. Junji Sakamoto, the director of &#8220;Winter Rose,&#8221; a film in which Ito made his comeback, praised Ito&#8217;s performance, saying, &#8220;It is really difficult to act &#8216;normal,&#8217; but Ito&#8217;s ability to do so naturally is a strong point. This film led to an increase in the number of appearances in movies and TV dramas.</span></p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead=" (A source close to the entertainment industry) Is there a possibility of a &quot;return to terrestrial broadcasting&quot; within this year?"></div>
<p>Starting with this film, a return to terrestrial TV dramas may be possible this year. In fact, when interviewed directly by this magazine last October, he spoke of &#8220;where he is now&#8221; and his &#8220;strong desire for a terrestrial drama.</p>
<p> Ito is also scheduled to appear in the comedy program &#8220;Incidents 2&#8221; (DMM TV) from January 19. When, if ever, will he return to terrestrial TV?</p>
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<p><span class="strongInContent"> Ito started his acting career in terrestrial TV dramas, so I think his desire to return to terrestrial TV is stronger than others. Currently, he is in the process of steadily building up a track record in movies and distributed dramas. The TV stations believe that there will be enough of a buzz when he returns to terrestrial broadcasting, so there is little chance of NG from the production side.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> The biggest obstacle is sponsors. Advertisers place great importance on image, so it is still doubtful whether they will give a GO signal in that respect. Especially in Mr. Ito&#8217;s case, given the nature of the scandal, it is difficult to include commercials for automobile manufacturers, which are typical of sponsors. &#8230;&#8230; Given that, I think a return to terrestrial broadcasting is still a long way off. Personally, I would like to see Ms. Ito&#8217;s performance on terrestrial wave, as she can handle a wide range of roles from romantic dramas to serious ones and comedies,&#8221; said an advertising agency official.</span></p>
<p> It will be a while before she can make a full comeback.</p>
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 Toshikatsu Tanaka

 Actor Kentaro Ito, who has been out of the limelight since the hit-and-run scandal of 2008, has been highly praised by industry insiders for the movies in which he has appeared. This January, he will also appear in a distribution program. Will he finally return to terrestrial broadcasting this year? ......

Kentaro Ito, who plays a difficult role in the latest movie, is highly praised for his acting ability by those in the know.

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