A Stalker's Guide To Sato Takeru

Honestly speaking, I became a fan of Sato Takeru only recently after watching his latest movie, Rurouni Kenshin - sometime during February. I know most of you must be thinking I'm not qualified to write 'A Stalker's Guide,' since most of the writers here have been fans of said actor/actress for years. However, during these past months or so, I have diligently "equipped" myself with facts and info about this versatile actor by watching most of his dramas and movies (and other stuff too).

I couldn't help but gush and fangirl the whole time while watching Rurouni Kenshin because of the cute expression he makes and the awesome choreographed swordplay. That movie led me to the re-watching of the anime as I had forgotten all about the story arcs, since the last time I watched it was around 15 years ago. To me, Sato Takeru makes the perfect Himura Kenshin: from his small, lithe frame to his speed and agility, from the reddish tinge of his hair to the way he says "Oro?" (Kenshin's famous catchphrase), I can't possibly think of anyone else who is fitting enough to play the famous Hitokiri Battosai.

Before being known as Kenshin, Sato Takeru hasn't always been in the limelight. In fact, he always gets the supporting roles and being overshadowed by his leading co-stars. When I first saw him in Rurouni Kenshin, I kept thinking that he looks a lot like Kamenashi Kazuya (another very popular Japanese idol). I remembered telling myself that I've seen this pretty face somewhere. But... where? 

So when I did my research on him, I was surprised to know that he was in Kamen Rider Den-O! Not that I watch the Kamen Rider series, but it was once aired on the children's channel in my country (Singapore) and I did manage to catch bits and pieces of the show. This was probably around 3-4 years back. During that whole time, I thought the actor was really, really cute without even knowing what I was watching. Sure it was dubbed and all, but my attention was mainly focused on the cutie onscreen. >.<

AND THAT WAS HOW SATO TAKERU FIRST CAME INTO MY LIFE WITHOUT ME KNOWING.

I'll stop here with my weird rambling and let me rope you into the world of cross-dressing, crazy characters and bromances! :D

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This is Sato's first drama (2006) and unfortunately, it is quite trashy so I wouldn't really recommend it. I watched this because I wanted to see him in a lolita dress and while it does fulfil my fantasy of wanting to see pretty boys in girls' outfits (he looks really pretty, though!), I was literally cringing when watching this. This is so bad that you can't help laughing about it. But hey, every actor has to start somewhere, right?

Okay, so being possessed is definitely no laughing matter but Sato makes it fun and hilarious. No, really. Those who have watched Kamen Rider Den-O will be able to relate. In this tokusatsu, Sato plays a puny, weak teenager but when an Imagin (some kind of monster/spirit) enters his body and possess him, he'll take on that Imagin's personality traits and transforms into Den-O. He not only plays one character, but seven (eight in the movies), switching to and fro between one Imagin to another. This show got me in stitches and I admire Sato for being able to portray several characters in one show! He's like a chameleon in this tokusatsu.

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I'm halfway done with this drama, but I can't say much about Sato's character as is is rather small. Sure, there are ten members in the baseball club (him included) and the whole show is basically about them, but the drama only focuses on about five members, leaving out the other half. I can even count the number of lines that he had said throughout the five episodes I've watched. Despite the small role Sato has in this drama, I would definitely recommend it because it has a lot of moral lessons that can be learned from watching it.

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This is where it started. The drama that shot Miura Haruma to fame and the lovely bromance between him and Sato Takeru starts to blossom. I shall spare the details on what the drama is about, since I'm sure everyone should know it by now. Although this drama is full of shockers and plot twists, I'm a little disappointed in Sato's character because the makers didn't really let his character shine that much. Otoya isn't in that many scenes and from what I know in the manga, Otoya is a fighter. He's literally attached to Fujimaru (Miura's character). In the drama, however we didn't exactly see a lot of action scenes between Otoya and the terrorists and in the end, his character comes off as bleak. I'm sure if the makers let Sato have a little more screen time and add more action, his name would definitely have been more popular, even before Rurouni Kenshin. Nonetheless, the relationship between Otoya and Fujimaru is one that will definitely set fangirls giggle in glee.  

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I didn't expect to fall in love with this drama as the plotline was already absurd. I put this off for so long until recently because I realised Sato's in it. To my surprise, I grew fond of it and yes, I adore Sato's character in this drama! For those who watched Hana Kimi, they can relate Mameshiba to Nakatsu as both characters are quite the same, what with them both being friend-zoned. Mameshiba may be a hot-headed guy, but he cares for Mei-chan and loves her as much as his brother does. 

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Among his works that I've watched, I'd have to say that this drama is the most heartfelt and melodramatic of all. I have mixed feelings about Q10 as a whole, because I love it and yet hated it at the same time. Although I've finished watching all the episodes, the sci-fi part of the drama is mind-boggling. If you're looking for a more serious drama centering around romance, relationship and friendship, this is for you.

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I think many might not know this documentary drama, but I've decided to list it here as it's one of the best performances by Sato so far. This drama made me cry buckets because I'm emotional over war scenes, and Sato did a very remarkable job in portraying a real life war veteran, Agarie Yasuharu.

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Need I say more? Well, epic movie is epic. Here, we can see the versatility of Sato Takeru by the way he switches his role. He easily slips into becoming a cold, ruthless killer from a mild-mannered wanderer. Not only does his body language and expression change, his voice does too, which I seldom see in other actors. He is simply the perfect Kenshin!

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Besides dramas and movies, Sato Takeru has done countless of commercials and had his first stage play of 'Romeo and Juliet' last year. Under his management (Amuse, Inc.), Sato released two DVD's of himself and his best friend, Miura Haruma, having a vacation in New York and Borneo.

Romeo and Juliet Trailer







As this article is coming to an end soon, I'd like to share some of the talents which Sato has and made me gawk in awe and fangirl over him more.


Yes, this neko is flexible and a good breakdancer too!


And he knows how to solve Rubik's Cube too! *___*

It's undeniable that Sato Takeru's acting has vastly improved and he has come a long way from his Princess Princess D days. It's amazing how this 24-year-old has done so much within his 7 years in the entertainment industry. Nonetheless, I know he's always trying to improve himself and still keeping himself humble, makes me attracted to him. I look forward to many more dramas and movies by him! Thus, ending this edition of the stalker's guide with a few pictures of why I love this big-eyed cutie so, so much! Nya!