Iwata Takanori

  • I. Introduction

    Iwata Takanori (岩田剛典), also known by his stage name GUN, is a multi-talented Japanese performer, singer, dancer, actor, and businessman under LDH JAPAN. He is a member of Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE and EXILE. He made his solo debut on September 15, 2021 with the single “Korekara”.

    II. Official Accounts

    Instagram: @takanori_iwata_official | @bemyguest_official | @godonlyknows_tokyo (Clothing Line)
    X (Twitter): @T_IWATA_EX_3JSB
    YouTube: @TakanoriIwata
    TikTok: @bemyguest_official
    Spotify: Iwata Takanori

    III. Profile

    Stage Name: Takanori / GUN
    Birth Name: Iwata Takanori (岩田剛典)
    Position: Performer, Soloist, Actor
    Birthday: March 6, 1989
    Zodiac Sign: Pisces
    Height: 174 cm (5’8″)
    Blood Type: B
    MBTI: ENTJ / ENFJ
    Nationality: Japanese

    IV. Facts

    • Born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
    • Comes from a well-off family; his father is a dentist. Early access to art and culture supported both academic and artistic pursuits.
    • Art interests trace to childhood—his father’s scroll collection and his aunt’s oil paintings left a mark.
    • Close lifelong friendship with Yu from I Don’t Like Mondays. via family ties.
    • Excelled academically before Keio University, especially in literature and social sciences.
    • Inspired to dance after watching the film RIZE in his third year of high school; began practicing Krump.
    • Cites Michael Jackson and Japanese dancer TAISUKE as key inspirations.
    • Enjoys soccer, films, Krump, and has a strong interest in fashion and design.
    • In his final year at Keio University he had a major job offer but chose entertainment after being selected for Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS.
    • Graduated from Keio; classmates with actor Furukawa Yuki; each led separate dance circles.
    • Invited by Naoki to the Sandaime performer audition; passed and joined.
    • Announced as a member on September 18, 2010.
    • Also known as “GUN” and “Boi Twiggz”.
    • Passed the EXILE PERFORMER BATTLE AUDITION and became an EXILE member.
    • With Hiroomi and Naoki, formed special unit THE Sharehappi within Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS.
    • Acting debut in 2013 stage play Attack No.1.
    • First photobook G Iwata Takanori Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE released March 6, 2014.
    • Notable screen roles include dramas Dear Sister (2014) and Caution, Hazardous Wife (2017), and film Evergreen Love (2016).
    • Second photobook “AZZURRO” released November 11, 2016.
    • Won Best New Actor at the 40th Japan Academy Prize for Evergreen Love.
    • Favorite travel destination is Paris; first visited in 2017 for a Louis Vuitton show.
    • Third photobook “Spin” released August 2, 2019.
    • Friends with Dean Fujioka since collaborating on Sherlock.
    • Known for cooking; his Japanese curry is a specialty among peers.
    • Frequently described as having a “prince-like” aura—charming and radiant.
    • Modeled for Louis Vuitton and appeared in campaigns for Dior and Giorgio Armani; often collaborates with Japanese streetwear brands.
    • Brand ambassador credits include GATSBY, Suntory, and Pocky, among others.
    • Has contributed essays and articles to Japanese fashion/entertainment magazines.
    • Left-handed; trained ambidexterity for dance-related tasks.
    • Began self-taught oil painting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Planned his solo project during the pandemic with an eye toward independence beyond group activities.
    • Pitched his solo project directly to EXILE HIRO with self-prepared demos; after initial surprise, HIRO approved.
    • Acts as general producer for his solo work—handling budgeting to creative strategy.
    • Works closely with lyricists; conceives songs like short films.
    • Acting is a major passion; he parallels the joy of acting with sharing music.
    • First solo live tour “THE CHOCOLATE BOX” ran November 9 – December 27, 2022.
    • Graced the final issue cover of HOT PEPPER (December 2023).
    • Open to overseas work, especially acting.
    • Values formative encounters with dancers and international artists.
    • Admires Picasso as a lasting inspiration.
    • Enjoys painting, design, and wants to learn golf.
    • Meticulous in the studio—will retake approved cuts until personally satisfied.
    • Finds peace with longtime friends/classmates; candid about loneliness as life chapters change.
    • Believes imperfections are beautiful; self-describes as ambitious and positive.
    • Praised for chic, versatile style blending high fashion and streetwear.
    • Participated in multiple LDH charity efforts, including disaster relief and education support.
    • Basic English proficiency, practiced through international modeling and acting opportunities.
    • Creative director for luxury shoe brand NERD MIND.
    • First arena tour “ARTLESS” ran March 23 – June 7, 2024.
    • On June 5, 2025, it was announced he would step back from EXILE to focus on Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS and solo activities.
    • Releases solo music under the GAN Music Project with his team credited as GAN Music Staff (“GAN” from 剛典).
    • September 4, 2025: LDH announced he would appear as a main producer on Mnet’s survival audition program Unpretty Rapstar: HIP POP Princess. (source)

    V. Dramas

    • Doctor Price | 2025 — Main Role “Naruki Kanenari” (10 eps, Rating: 7.6)
    • Forest | 2025 — Main Role “Ichinose Jun” (8 eps, Rating: 7.2)
    • Anti-Hero | 2024 — Support Role “Hiyama Keita” (10 eps, Rating: 7.9)
    • Tora ni Tsubasa | 2024 — Support Role “Hanaoka Satoru” (130 eps, Rating: 8.2)
    • Even if You Don’t Do It | 2023 — Main Role “Niina Makoto” (11 eps, Rating: 6.8)
    • Hitotsubashi Kiriko no Hanzai Nikki | 2022 — Support Role “Kuon Itsuki” (5 eps, Rating: 7.6)
    • Fishbowl Wives | 2022 — Support Role “Toyoda Haruto” [Owner of “Toyoda Goldfish”] (8 eps, Rating: 7.1)
    • Promise Cinderella | 2021 — Main Role “Kataoka Seigo” (10 eps, Rating: 7.8)
    • Re: Na mo Naki Sekai no End Roll: Half a Year Later | 2021 — Main Role “Kida” (3 eps, Rating: 7.3)
    • Cold Case: Shinjitsu no Tobira Season 3 | 2020 — Guest Role “Shiromoto Mitsuharu [Young]” (Ep. 3, Rating: 8.1)
    • Sherlock: The Untold Stories | 2019 — Main Role “Wakamiya Junichi” (11 eps, Rating: 8.0)
    • HiGH&LOW: The Worst Episode.O | 2019 — Guest Role “Hino Junpei / Cobra” (6 eps, Rating: 7.9)
    • Prince of Legend | 2018 — Guest Role [The Second “Prince of Legend”] (10 eps, Rating: 7.2)
    • Gakeppuchi Hotel | 2018 — Main Role “Ukai Naoya” (10 eps, Rating: 7.4)
    • Suna no Tou – Shiri Sugita Rinjin | 2016 — Support Role “Ubukata Kohei” (10 eps, Rating: 7.7)
    • HiGH&LOW: The Story of S.W.O.R.D. Season 2 | 2016 — Main Role “Hino Junpei / Cobra” (10 eps, Rating: 8.2)
    • HiGH&LOW: The Story of S.W.O.R.D. | 2015 — Main Role “Hino Junpei / Cobra” (10 eps, Rating: 8.3)
    • Wild Heroes | 2015 — Main Role “Harutaro Saeki / Choko” (10 eps, Rating: 7.5)
    • Dear Sister | 2014 — Support Role “Sakuraba Eito” [Misaki’s close friend] (10 eps, Rating: 8.1)
    • Rokudenashi Blues | 2011 — Guest Role (Ep. 7, Rating: 7.5)

    VI. Movies

    • Shin Kaishaku Bakumatsu-den | 2025 — Support Role “Okada Izo” (Rating: 0.0)
    • Blonde | 2025 — Main Role “Ichikawa” (Rating: 0.0)
    • Paripi Komei the Movie | 2025 — Guest Role [Himself] (Rating: 7.7)
    • Saint☆Oniisan the Movie: Holy Men vs Akuma Gundan | 2024 — Support Role “Archangel Michael” (Rating: 6.7)
    • Once Upon a Crime | 2023 — Support Role “Prince Gilbert” (Rating: 7.3)
    • The Hound of the Baskervilles: Sherlock the Movie | 2022 — Main Role “Wakamiya Junichi” (Rating: 7.4)
    • Lesson in Murder | 2022 — Support Role “Kanayama Itsuki” (Rating: 7.4)
    • Wedding High | 2022 — Support Role “Yashiro Yuya” (Rating: 7.5)
    • The Master Plan | 2021 — Main Role “Kida” (Rating: 7.9)
    • New Interpretation Records of the Three Kingdoms | 2020 — Support Role “Zhao Yun” (Rating: 7.0)
    • Living in Your Sky | 2020 — Support Role “Tokito Morinori” (Rating: 6.3)
    • Advent of an Aristocrat: Prince of Legend | 2020 — Guest Role [The Second “Prince of Legend”] (Rating: 7.0)
    • AI Collapse | 2020 — Support Role “Sakuraba Makoto” (Rating: 7.2)
    • HiGH&LOW: The Worst | 2019 — Guest Role “Hino Junpei / ‘Cobra’” (Rating: 8.3)
    • Machida-kun no Sekai | 2019 — Support Role “Himuro Yu” (Rating: 7.1)
    • Vision | 2018 — Support Role “Rin” (Rating: 7.0)
    • Perfect World | 2018 — Main Role “Ayukawa Itsuki” (Rating: 8.0)
    • DTC: Yukemuri Junjo Hen from HiGH&LOW | 2018 — Guest Role “Hino Junpei / ‘Cobra’” (Rating: 7.6)
    • Utamonogatari: Cinema Fighters Project | 2018 — Main Role “Junji” (Rating: 6.4)
    • Last Winter, We Parted | 2018 — Main Role “Yakumo Kyosuke” (Rating: 7.7)
    • Cinema Fighters | 2018 — Main Role “「SWAN SONG」” (Rating: 7.1)
    • HiGH&LOW the Movie 3: Final Mission | 2017 — Main Role “Hino Junpei / ‘Cobra’” (Rating: 8.3)
    • HiGH&LOW the Movie 2: End of Sky | 2017 — Main Role “Hino Junpei / ‘Cobra’” (Rating: 8.3)
    • HiGH&LOW: The Red Rain | 2016 — Support Role “Hino Junpei / ‘Cobra’” (Rating: 8.1)
    • HiGH&LOW: The Movie | 2016 — Main Role “Hino Junpei / ‘Cobra’” (Rating: 8.3)
    • Evergreen Love | 2016 — Main Role “Kusakabe Itsuki” (Rating: 7.7)
    • Road to HiGH&LOW | 2016 — Main Role “Hino Junpei / ‘Cobra’” (Rating: 7.8)
    • Crows Explode | 2014 — Support Role “Shibata Hiroki” (Rating: 7.0)

    VII. Specials

    • Simulation: Showa 16 Nen Natsu no Haisen | 2025 — Support Role “Murai Kazumasa” (2 eps, Rating: 0.0)
    • Anata ga Shitekurenakute mo Tokubetsuhen | 2023 — Main Role “Niina Makoto” (1 ep, Rating: 7.2)
    • Uchida Yasuo Suspense: Asami Mitsuhiko Series 2 | 2022 — Main Role “Asami Mitsuhiko” (1 ep, Rating: 0.0)
    • Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi: Summer Special 2022 | 2022 — Main Role “{Apology} Fukumoto Kosei” (1 ep, Rating: 7.3)
    • Uchida Yasuo Suspense: Asami Mitsuhiko Series 1 | 2022 — Main Role “Asami Mitsuhiko” (1 ep, Rating: 7.0)
    • Sherlock Special | 2019 — Main Role “Wakamiya Junichi” (1 ep, Rating: 7.3)
    • Flaming Attorney | 2018 — Support Role “Baba” (1 ep, Rating: 7.1)
    • HiGH&LOW: The DTC | 2018 — Guest Role “Hino Junpei / ‘Cobra’” (11 eps, Rating: 7.7)
    • Gakeppuchi Hotel: Today’s Guest is Mr. Naoya Ukai | 2018 — Main Role “Ukai Naoya” (2 eps, Rating: 7.6)
    • Yo nimo Kimyo na Monogatari: 2017 Fall Special | 2017 — Main Role “{Unmei Tanchiki} Izumi Ryohei” (1 ep)

    Discography:

    Albums
    [2022.10.21] The Chocolate Box
    [2024.03.06] ARTLESS
    [2025.12.03] SPACE COWBOY

    Singles
    [2021.09.15] korekara
    [2025.02.12] Phone Number
    [2025.08.06] TORICO

    Digital Singles
    [2023.04.07] BREAK THE LAW
    [2023.11.06] Monokuro no Sekai
    [2024.02.20] MVP

    Pre-release Digital Singles
    [2022.08.26] Ready?
    [2022.09.26] Only One For Me
    [2024.01.15] Just You and Me

    Video Releases
    [2023.04.18] Takanori Iwata LIVE TOUR 2022 "THE CHOCOLATE BOX"
    [2024.09.04] Takanori Iwata LIVE TOUR 2024 "ARTLESS"

    VIII. CMs

    • [2023] Kansai Electric Power Company "Hikkosunara, Denki wa Kanden Campaign"
    • [2023] Kansai Electric Power Company "Yappari Gasu mo Kansai Electric Power Campaign"
    • [2023] FFAS Web CM
    • [2023] Baitoru NEXT "Driver / Food and Beverage / Architecture and Civil Engineering"
    • [2023] Kansai Electric Power Company "All Denka Campaign 2023 Kounetsu-hi"
    • [2023] Benza-Block® YASUMO® "Mezamete Wakaru YASUMO Kouka"
    • [2024] Kansai Electric Power Company "2023 Fuyu Haru Hikkoshi Campaign Keiji"
    • [2024] FADRIC HOTEL "FADRIC HOTEL no Himitsu"
    • [2024] Pepsi "Pepsi <Nama> BIG ZERO LEMON"

    IX. Image Model

    • [2024] FADRIC HOTEL

    X. Radio

    • [2024.03.17] Iwata Takanori MUSIC LIFE (岩田剛典 MUSIC LIFE) (FM802 802 BINTANG GARDEN)

    XI. Other

    • [2019] LOUIS VUITTON – Brand Ambassador
    • [2023] FFAS – Brand Ambassador

    XII. Publications

    Photobooks

    • [2014.03.06] G Iwata Takanori Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE
    • [2016.11.11] AZZURRO
    • [2019.08.02] Spin
    • [2021.11.29] Layer

    XIII. Awards

    • [2022] MTV Video Music Awards Japan – MTV Dance the World Award

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