Itagaki Rihito is a charismatic actor who enjoys popularity among people in their 20s and 30s. He has attracted attention for his gender-neutral beauty, and his first watch of choice was the Cartier Baignoire. Based on his unique aesthetic sense that "anything that looks too much like a watch doesn't suit me," he chose this yellow gold watch after trying it on many times. His values of enjoying watches as if they were jewelry point to new possibilities in watch selection.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
[Article published on January 3, 2025]
A charismatic figure who embodies the idea that beauty has no gender barriers
Until recently, men who wore makeup were said to be "unmanly," but now they are admired. Not only are they popular with women, but they also attract attention and support from men. The pursuit of beauty without being bound by gender is not just about having a beautiful appearance, but also about "having a sense of self" and "being flexible and strong."
The number of genderless talents is on the rise in the entertainment industry. One such talent is Itagaki Rikito, who enjoys charismatic popularity, especially among people in their 20s and 30s. At the 2023 Hamamatsu Festival event, he sparked such a frenzy that he himself commented, "I think I received enough screams to last me a lifetime."
In the new movie "Baban Baban Bang Vampire," which will be released nationwide from July 4, 2025, he plays a 15-year-old boy in a jinbei that makes him look even cute, and in news zero he shows off a suit that exudes adult sexiness, expressing his many facets.
The trajectory of success that has led to genderless popularity
Since his acting debut in 2013, Itagaki Rikito has steadily built his career. After garnering attention in the TV drama "Kamen Rider Zi-O," his role in "Colorfull: I'm Loved by a Genderless Boy" (NTV) generated a lot of buzz. He has since continued to appear in popular works such as "Silent," "Fermat's Cooking," and "Mars: Zero's Revolution."
He has been particularly active in NHK's historical dramas, and following on from "Aoi Tou wo Tsuke" he played the role of Ii Naomasa in "What Will Ieyasu Do?". He plays the role of the heir to the Ii family, who was raised with care by the female lord of the castle, Naotora, and plays an active role as a new force for Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Itagaki sensitively portrayed this complex character, who is quick-witted and popular with the ladies, but who also speaks arrogantly to everyone, causing constant trouble. At the time, despite only appearing briefly in the trailer, her beauty attracted attention, and the topic spread mainly on social media.
Itagaki Rihito has been working as a model since he was two years old, but after passing the first Stardust Promotion Entertainment Division 1 Model Audition in the fifth grade of elementary school, he joined his current agency. He began working full-time as an actor and model. The name "Rihito" comes from the German word Licht, which means "light." As his name suggests, his presence brings light to many people.
His hobbies are photography, listening to music, watching anime, and playing games. His special skills are swimming and creating illustrations. His illustrations are sometimes uploaded to his Instagram, and he says his dream is to publish an illustration book. He has recently held a solo exhibition, showing his multifaceted talents. Itagaki Rihito has a long career in the entertainment industry and has appeared in a wide range of genres, but he likely finds time to switch between work and play through his hobbies.
A photo of someone wearing the watch found on Instagram
I found a photo of Itagaki Rikito wearing the watch on his Instagram, in which he reported that he had seen the play "Minna Tori ni Natte" starring Nakajima Yuto (Hey! Say! JUMP).
In this photo, taken in front of a curtain with "Nakajima" written on it, Itagaki is wearing a black hat and a loose white top, giving a thumbs up. Nakajima, wearing a striped shirt, is holding Itagaki's head and leaning against him, giving a thumbs up with a big smile.
Nakajima Yuto and Itagaki Rikito starred together for the first time in the TV drama "Himitsu ~THE TOP SECRET~," which began airing in January 2025. Even after the drama aired, they continued to interact with each other, going to see each other's plays and sending each other gifts.
"Now, while we're waiting to shoot, he comes right up to me and sticks out his hand. My department head is like a puppy (laughs)," Nakajima said in a magazine interview, conveying the warm relationship between the two.
In this image, Itagaki Rihito is believed to be wearing Cartier's "Baignoire" (size 17).
"This is my first watch. It's a mini Baignoire watch with a rigid bracelet," Itagaki said in the seventh installment of SPUR.JP's series "That Person's Favorites." His encounter with Cartier dates back to 2023.
"I've always felt that Cartier's yellow gold rings suit me best, so I've been collecting rings like the Trinity since last year. Now that I've gathered a number of rings that I like on my fingers, I want something for my wrist, and I prefer a watch to a bracelet..." she said, revealing the process that led to her watch selection on the website. Initially, she searched for watches from specialized watch brands, but after trying on many watches, she finally found this model.
A new genderless perspective on watch selection
Itagaki Rihito's own words, "Things that look too much like a watch don't really suit me," and "Rather than a tool to tell the time, this is a piece that is more like jewelry and has a presence as an accent on the wrist," reveal a new sensibility that goes beyond the conventional concept of choosing a watch.
Itagaki's choice of watch may point to a cultural shift that goes beyond mere personal preference. Traditionally, "men's watches" have been defined as sports or dress watches, but he is not bound by such preconceived notions and instead chooses watches that he finds purely beautiful.
Estimated size is 17. Quartz movement. 18K yellow gold case. Water resistant for everyday use. 2,323,200 yen (tax included).
In an age where the term "genderless" is gaining attention, Itagaki's values offer a new option to many people. A watch is not something to be chosen solely for its functionality or traditional "style," but also as a tool to express one's individuality—this message can be gleaned from his attachment to "Baignoire."
Beauty knows no gender barriers. Itagaki Rikoto quietly but surely proves this universal truth through the item of timepieces. His free and comfortable choices will surely give many people the courage to find "the one that suits them best."
