Genta Matsuda Overcomes”Numerous Challenges to Debut as Drama Lead

Left behind in the U.S.

On April 8, the drama Jinji no Hitomi starring Genta Matsuda (25) from Travis Japan began airing.

While fans might be upset with this, my honest impression is, “He’s really come this far.”

This is because Travis Japan (often referred to as ToraJa), who signed with Capitol Records in October 2022, made their major global debut as the first group from Johnny & Associates (at the time) to do so. However, in October of that same year, Hideaki Takizawa (43), who was the head of the Junior division and the group’s producer, left the company, seemingly just as the debut was happening.

It may sound harsh, but it felt like they were left behind in America.

Moreover, in March 2023, the BBC in the UK reported on the sexual abuse allegations against Johnny Kitagawa, which became a global topic and halted their overseas expansion.

With Johnny Kitagawa’s sexual abuse issue, Johnny & Associates was effectively disbanded. Starting in 2024, the group moved under the management of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.

“Unlike ‘Naniwa Danshi,’ who debuted the year before and gained recognition through heavy promotion before the Johnny issue became widely known, Travis Japan struggled. Just when they were about to get started, the company troubles were reported, and they couldn’t do effective promotions. Their debut overseas worked against them, and their recognition in Japan has been quite tough,” said a women’s magazine reporter.

At the time, Johnny & Associates mostly focused on CD debuts, but for Travis Japan, their first five songs, including their debut track, were released only digitally. Their first CD album, Road to A, released in December 2023, sold 150,000 copies in its first week, and their second album, Vllsual, released in December 2024, sold 140,000 copies in its first week—struggling compared to other groups under STARTO.

In the midst of this, Genta Matsuda suddenly found himself in the spotlight.

The Disney movie that elevated her reputation in the industry

Genta Matsuda’s rise to fame can be traced back to his unexpected charm on variety shows, where his natural (or carefree) behavior as an idol set him apart.

“His breakthrough came on Sake no Tsumami ni Naru Hanashi (Fuji TV), where he confessed he couldn’t even do basic multiplication tables. Matsumoto (Hitoshi) and the other cast members humorously teased him, and it made for great entertainment. Another time, he admitted that he ate noodles without using chopsticks or a fork, leading to hilarious reactions from GACKT and Chidori’s Daigo. He became a beloved character on the show because of his unpretentious nature and likability,” said a reporter from a sports newspaper.

While his natural charm on variety shows grabbed attention, Matsuda has also made his mark in acting.

In the April 2024 drama Tokyo Tower (TV Asahi), Matsuda played a young man who has an affair with MEGUMI’s character. Despite his typically carefree persona, his performance in love scenes was intense and passionate, winning over female viewers. He even received the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix Best Supporting Actor Award for the spring drama season.

Additionally, Matsuda lent his voice to the character of Taka, the half-brother of Mufasa, in the Disney movie The Lion King: Mufasa (released in December 2024).

“Disney movie auditions are based purely on ability—no actor’s name value or agency influence plays a role. Everyone, from the biggest stars to newcomers, is evaluated equally. The fact that Matsuda was chosen for the role of Taka raised some eyebrows in the industry. His performance in the film was highly praised, and it really helped people realize that he’s more than just a goofy celebrity,” said an industry insider.

Yamada Miho, a broadcast writer and columnist who has known Matsuda since his junior days, shared her thoughts on his appeal.

“First of all, Matsuda’s charm lies in his earnestness. He’s passionate about making Travis Japan famous. Their debut overseas meant that Japanese TV appearances were few and far between. I often thought, ‘What’s going to happen to Travis Japan?’ But when Matsuda stepped up, the group’s name gained incredible recognition.”

“Matsuda was never the number one star in his group. But, as the saying goes, ‘he grew on you.’ People found him interesting, attractive, and skilled at dancing. He’s one of those people who ‘sneaks up on you.'”

Matsuda also made a memorable impression on Odoru! Sanma Goten!! (NTV), where Yamada worked with him.

“Younger people like Matsuda sometimes try too hard to make an impression and can end up overdoing it, dominating conversations or reacting too much. This can come across as annoying or off-putting. But Matsuda has this knack for timing, knowing when to step back. When he does speak up, it’s funny, even if it’s something quirky. And it doesn’t feel forced—it’s just naturally who he is. That’s part of his charm and why he’s so loved by his co-stars,” Yamada explained.

Now, Matsuda has been chosen to lead a drama series, marking a major milestone in his career. For those debuting after the Johnny Kitagawa scandal, Matsuda represents a beacon of hope.