Former “A.B.C-Z” Member Ikuto Kawai & Voice Actress Moe Toyota: “4.5 Years of Serious Dating” Caught on Camera [Scoop!]

Kawai’s “Single-Minded Love” Amid a Busy Schedule

Just before 7:00 a.m. in mid-September. A man radiating an overwhelming charisma emerged from an apartment building located in a downtown area where the natural beauty of lush greenery blends with the scenery of the old city.

His casual outfit—a tracksuit from a famous sports brand, khaki pants, stylish sunglasses with tinted lenses, and a knit cap that gave a head start to fall fashion—was pulled off with his signature flair.This man, whose gait is somewhat reminiscent of Takuya Kimura (53), is Ikuto Kawai (38), a former member of the idol group “A.B.C-Z.”

It seemed he was just leaving his home to head to the live broadcast of “Saturday Funkies” (Iwate Menkoi TV), a local program in Iwate Prefecture where he serves as the host. As a light drizzle began to fall, the rear door of the waiting shuttle opened, and Kawai quickly got in and headed off to work.

“Kawai, who joined the former Johnny’s agency at age 11, made his major debut in 2012 as a member of ‘A.B.C-Z.’ While showcasing his success as a top idol, he also blossomed as a variety show personality through his impersonations brimming with love for Johnny’s, his physical comedy on variety shows, and his exceptional MC skills.

In particular, he held such deep admiration for Takuya Kimura—a senior at the same agency—that he referred to him as ‘God,’ and his impersonations of Kimura’s speech and gait have become one of his most popular acts. “In 2023, he set two goals—‘to have his own show by the age of 40’ and ‘to establish himself as an MC’—and announced his departure from the group. At the same time, he began focusing his efforts on solo activities,” said a producer at a major network.

That decision paid off, and he currently appears in nine regular programs, including television, radio, and streaming platforms. Centered on his work as an MC, his activities have expanded nationwide to include Iwate, Saitama, Shizuoka, and Aichi prefectures. Furthermore, this year he appeared in the stage play *It’s Not About Whether I Want to or Not 2026*, his first stage performance in five years.

Our magazine has learned that Kawai, despite his hectic schedule, has been quietly pursuing a “devoted romance.” Who is the one who has captured his heart?—

How they met…

It was just past 9:00 a.m., about two hours after the shuttle carrying Kawai had driven away. A woman emerged from the escalator leading to the same apartment building. Though she was dressed simply in a gray hoodie, sweatpants, and glasses, her radiant complexion and well-defined figure exuded an aura of beauty.The woman, looking a bit sleepy, is Moe Toyoda (31), who works as a voice actress.

“Toyoda is a popular voice actress who has appeared in series such as the anime *Sound! Euphonium*, *BanG Dream!*, and *Flying Babies*. Having originally been an ‘otaku girl’ who loved manga, anime, and video games, she began pursuing a career as a voice actress during her senior year of high school.

Since then, while focusing on voice acting, she has also taken on challenges in radio, theater, and gravure modeling. This year, she’s continuing to raise her profile in various fields by appearing in staged readings, stage greetings to commemorate movie releases, and horse racing events,” said a source in the anime industry.

On this day, Toyoda appeared at a stage greeting for the second part of the theatrical film *Final Movement: Sound! Euphonium*, the concluding chapter of the *Sound! Euphonium* series, in which she plays a leading role.The film is an anime depicting the passionate youth of high school students dedicated to wind ensemble music, and it is one of her signature works. On stage, in stark contrast to the casual clothes she was wearing earlier, she was dressed in a pale pink satin dress and beamed with a radiant smile.

Kawai, who has successfully transitioned from being one of Japan’s top idols to a multi-talented entertainer, and Toyoda, a rising star in the voice acting world. At first glance, the two seem to have nothing in common…

“Kawai and Toyoda reportedly met at a bar in Tokyo around early 2021. Toyoda, who had always been a fan of idols, asked a mutual acquaintance to introduce him to Kawai, and when they actually met, they hit it off. However, their relationship didn’t immediately develop into a romantic one.”

The romance with Kawai—who is in high demand nationwide—faced an uphill battle from the very beginning. Nevertheless, it seems the two were steadily growing closer.

The October 2–9 issue of *FRIDAY*, on sale September 18, and the paid version *FRIDAY GOLD* provide detailed coverage of the inside story of their relationship, including “exclusive comments” from Toyoda.

Click here to see the full details and multiple photos ↓↓

From the October 2 & 9, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*