takeshi kaneshiro style — from “made in HEAVEN” │© Chieko Kobayashi

In the vast landscape of Asian Cinema, few have managed to capture the hearts like Takeshi Kaneshiro. Kaneshiro rose to fame through his versatile acting skills and adoration amongst fans for his good looks.

Who Is Takeshi Kaneshiro

The 90s were a vibrant and influential decade for Asian Cinema. The Honk Kong New Wave was led by visionaries like Wong Kar-Wai and was influenced by various factors. One of those factors being the rise of Asian Cinema, with releases like Akira Kurosawa’s “Dreams” which sparked the revival of Japanese Cinema. Simultaneously, The Korean New Wave introduced fresh narratives and innovative Film making Techniques. Taiwanese New Cinema explored unique themes of the Post-colonial era with movies like “A bright summer day”. These movements and cross cultural collaborations in Asian Film Industry, contributed to the growing international fanbase for Asian Actors and Cinema.

One star who bore the fruits of the Asian Cinematic revival is Takeshi Kaneshiro. Born in Taipei to a Taiwanese mother and an Okinawan father, Kaneshiro’s background has been a defining feature of his career, allowing him to seamlessly traverse the entertainment industries of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and beyond. While Kaneshiro’s acting prowess remains undeniable, It’s his impeccable sense of style that has elevated him to the status of a true fashion icon for over two decades.

Kaneshiro’s journey in the entertainment industry would begin during his secondary school in Taipei, where he started appearing in Television Commercials, eventually leaving the formal education behind to pursue a career in Music and Acting Industry. In 1992, Kaneshiro made his singing debut under the name of “Aniki” (meaning Older Brother in Japanese). He wrote many of his own Mandarin and Cantonese songs and following years his popularity led him into the acting Industry. It was his transition to acting that truly set the stage for his fashion influence.

from “made in HEAVEN” │© Chieko Kobayashi

Kaneshiro’s Versatile acting style

Kaneshiro made his film debut in Executioners (1993) followed by Wong Kar-wai's Chungking Express (1994) and Fallen Angels (1995). Through Kaneshiro’s collaboration with auteur director Wong Kar-Wai in Chungking Express, he first developed his onscreen signature, quirky, character-driven performances that often played against type and ran counter to his Idol image. Later on, Kaneshiro’s Japanese drama God, please give me more time (1998) and its success allowed Kaneshiro to branch into the Japanese entertainment Industry. Such as the sci-fi thriller Returner (2002) and the imaginative K-20: Legend of the Mask (2009) and 2010 performance in Accuracy of Death (also known as "Sweet Rain"). His reputation as a cross-cultural icon was further solidified by his roles in the Japanese cinema industry.

However Kaneshiro’s influence was not only limited to the cinema and music industry. Rising above the silver screen, Kaneshiro also shone through his portrayal of Samurai warrior Samanosuke in Capcom’s popular Video Game Onimusha series. Kaneshiro’s charm and versatility didn’t go unnoticed by the International press. In a featured Interview with Time Magazine, In 2003, Kaneshiro was dubbed as - “Johnny Depp of the East Asian Film Industry” - a testament to unconventional roles and widespread appeal.

Kaneshiro’s Fashion in his most famous roles

Wong Kar-Wai’s Chungking express became a major turning point in Kaneshiro’s career and arguably his Fashion Journey. It is a story of melancholic love and the restless nature of youth. As the quirky cop He Zhiwu, Kaneshiro sported an eclectic mix of casual and formal wear that encapsulated the innocence, Naiveté and emotional openness of his character. Zhiwu's character mixes colours, patterns and selects ties that usually wouldn’t go with his shirt, the character often paired striped button-ups (buttoned all the way to the top) with relaxed, waterproof jackets, or casual half-sleeved patterned button-up shirts. This blend of high and low, formal and casual, would become a hallmark of Kaneshiro's personal style for this movie and fashion trends at that time.

Another Wong Kar-Wai Masterpiece, Fallen Angels that explored isolation, longing and youth. Themes of crime, obsession, repetition, devotion, and claustrophobia also linger throughout the narrative. As a mute character, Kaneshiro’s character He Zhiwu (The same character played by Kaneshiro although He Zhiwu in this film plays the role of a former criminal) reflects the story of a boy forced to grow up too fast, unable to let go of his childhood, and often finding himself in sad and amusing situations. His on-screen outfits consisted of tight-fitting tees, baggy denim and pops of colour in his styling, His character is styled in half-sleeved patterned shirts as jackets over a white shirt. This youthful urban edge style resonated deeply with the character and audiences across Asia, subtly gaining popularity as a new fashion icon. Kaneshiro defied the stereotypes of Chinese Masculinity with his emotionally rich and complex characters.

Takeshi kaneshiro in chunking express — Takeshi Kaneshiro in Wong Kar-Wai’s Chungking Express

Kaneshiro’s style off the screen

Even off the silver screen, Kaneshiro became a fan favourite Fashion icon, representing a rich sense of modernity and cosmopolitanism bridging the cultural and regional gaps. His status is reflected into his numerous brand endorsements with high-end fashion houses. Kaneshiro’s popular face can be seen from Emporio Armani to Prada. He's also been the face of diverse product categories, including cars (Toyota), beverages (Pocari Sweat), electronics (Sony), airlines (JAA), and skincare (BioTherm). This versatility in brand partnerships speaks to Kaneshiro's wide-ranging appeal.

What sets Kaneshiro apart in the fashion world is not just his good looks, but the way he carries himself. Taking a look at some of his best styled magazine covers, on his June 2022 issue cover of China’s Elle Men, Kaneshiro dons a classic black suit with slicked-back hair and a dignified goatee. His cover for Elle Men China, despite being labelled as featuring a "normal, average person," showcases anything but - Kaneshiro looks every bit the heartthrob that captured the world's attention two decades ago. In the Esquire Hong-Kong’s August 2014 issue, Kaneshiro is seen wearing a luxe elegant look as the brand ambassador of Italian Fashion House Giorgio Armani.

Kaneshiro’s Fashion influence extends beyond just clothing. His hairstyles have been equally iconic, ranging from long, flowing locks to short, neat cuts and wavy styles. Each look seems to capture a different facet of his personality, from the brooding artist to the clean-cut leading man.

takeshi kaneshiro armani ad campaign — Takeshi Kaneshiro for Emporio Armani in 2012│© Emporio Armani

In his interviews, Kaneshiro has often opened up about his feelings about how his looks sometimes overshadow his performance. Takeshi Kaneshiro's films often highlight his face through close-ups, showcasing his facial expressions and strategizing his physical beauty. His thick eyebrows, oval-shaped eyes, straight nose, and thin lips are key visual points, influencing the imagery and narrative space of the cinematic representation. Due to this, Considerable admirers of Kaneshiro focus more on "how he looks" rather than "how he acts," exposing the dialectic between skill and appearance in the star's rise to prominence. However his dedication to his craft has proven time and time again that his appeal is not just his pretty face but also his hard work and talent.

Kaneshiro’s versatility is mirrored in his fashion choices as well. Ranging from casual eclectic ensembles to the classic elegance of tailored suits. His style often characterised him as an introvert yet charismatic urbanite. This image has made him a frequent subject of advertisements and magazine covers, cementing his status as a fashion icon.

Only a few know about Kaneshiro’s deep passion for photography. He has even held private exhibitions to share his artistic perspective through his photography. Besides that, Kaneshiro has served as a jury member for Cannes Film Festival in 2009, solidifying his standing as a respectable figure in the global cinema Industry.

Kaneshiro’s Influence

From his early days as a quirky heartthrob to his current status as a sophisticated leading man-Kaneshiro’s journey through Cinema and Fashion represents his complex and multi-faceted career. As we look into the future, it is clear that his influence will linger on for many generations of Cinema and Fashion. From the streets of Taipei to the red carpets of Hollywood, Takeshi Kaneshiro remains a testament to the power of style, talent and enduring charisma.

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