Kirin's Akira Kawashima, a national morning face, gives a glimpse of a luxury German watch on social media

Akira Kawashima of the comedy duo Kirin, known for his superb hosting skills on the TBS morning information program "Lavitt!", was ranked number one in the 2025 ranking of favorite presenters. While active as part of a comedy duo, he also has a wide range of solo activities thanks to his distinctive low voice and intellectual aura. His choice of watch is a carefully timed A. Lange & Söhne manual-winding watch.

"Lavvit!" is a popular morning show on TBS.

　The information program "Lavvit!" boasts overwhelming popularity, having been ranked number one in terms of streamed views on TVer for three consecutive years. Its serious content, unusual for a morning program, has attracted attention and has garnered support from viewers of all ages. The show is hosted by Akira Kawashima of the comedy duo Kirin.

　Akira Kawashima is known for his pleasant-sounding low voice, but he is also highly praised for his skills as an MC on this show. His unconventional approach to morning shows, which makes the most of the humor, perfectly matches the concept of "Japan's most cheerful morning show." The atmosphere that everyone is having fun creating, including the viewers, performers, and production staff, is conveyed through the screen.

　Akira Kawashima, who serves as the show's host and could be said to be the face of the show, has taken the top spot in the 2025 "Favorite Host Ranking," replacing Matsuko Deluxe, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame after topping the list for five consecutive years. His calm hosting, careful choice of words to avoid hurting others, excellent support for the other guests, and quick wit—all of these things have captured the hearts of viewers.

The comedy duo "Kirin" - Akira Kawashima's origins

　Formed in 1999, the comedy duo Kirin consists of Tamura Yutaka and Kawashima Akira. Many people will remember the style in which Tamura starts off by saying "Hello," followed by Kawashima putting his mouth close to the microphone and announcing in a beautiful, low voice, "We are Kirin."

　Their advancement to the finals of the first M-1 Grand Prix, where they received the highest possible score from Downtown's Matsumoto Hitoshi, was a turning point for them, and their popularity skyrocketed. The duo's achievement of reaching the finals from complete unknowns has had an impact on other competitions. There is also an anecdote that duos who made it to the finals without much advance praise or recognition, and who made it to the finals without much notice, have come to be called the "Kirin Slot." In recent years, they have had fewer opportunities to appear as a duo, but they continue to be active as Kirin, including holding a solo talk show in 2023.

　In 2007, Tamura Yu's book "Homeless Junior High School Student" became a huge bestseller, and Kirin earned a huge income, earning them the nickname "The Unequaled Duo." Kawashima revealed on a variety show with the comedy duo Kamaitachi aired on January 17, 2026, that he was sometimes treated humiliatingly as the "other half." However, by consistently putting his all into every job, Kawashima gradually began to receive more solo work.

　Furthermore, things changed completely when they were chosen to host "Lavvit!". There is an episode where Tamura Yutaka was shocked to find out that what he thought was a month's pay was only a one-time fee, due to the difference in values. Perhaps it is precisely because they have experienced periods when the level of success within the duo fluctuated that they are able to host with empathy for others.

　It is said that Akira Kawashima has had a passion for the world of comedy since his junior high school days. Continuing to pursue that dream, he met his partner Yutaka Tamura and formed Kirin in 1999. They steadily honed their skills and established their presence after their impressive success at the M-1 Grand Prix. Not only did they work as a comedy duo, but they also steadily increased their individual appeal, and now they are reigning supreme as emcees.

Akira Kawashima's favorite watch brand is A. Lange & Söhne

　The watch that Akira Kawashima is wearing is the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down. This manual-wound model was added in 2013 to the 1815 family, which was released as A. Lange & Söhne's basic model series. The model name "1815" comes from the year of the birth of founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange.

　The movement used is Cal. L051.2. The power reserve display at 8 o'clock is marked with the letters AUF/AB (up/down), a convenient design that constantly reminds you of the watch's winding status.

　This mechanism is based on a patent granted in 1879, and is unique in that, rather than adding a module on top of an existing movement as was the conventional method, it is incorporated directly into the movement in a small space using a specially designed planetary gear mechanism. By arranging multiple planetary gears, the load to be transmitted can be shared, allowing the entire device to transmit greater torque. This structure has succeeded in making the movement thinner, giving it an elegant appearance.

　The dial features traditional elements such as tempered blue hands, Arabic numerals, and railway-style minute track. The caliber is just 4.6mm thick, yet boasts a power reserve of approximately three days.

"1815 Up/Down" enhances the intellectual impression

　The model Kawashima is wearing is believed to be the Ref. 234.026. The dial, housed in a white gold case, is made of solid silver.

　Unlike lacquer finish, solid silver has a natural and elegant softness, while at the same time creating a deep sense of refinement. A. Lange & Söhne uses solid silver dials on many of its models, including the Saxonia and Lange 1.

　Akira Kawashima's strengths are his patience and ability to approach things carefully, so it may have been natural that he was drawn to A. Lange & Söhne watches, which carry on the tradition of German watchmaking.

　We look forward to seeing his further transformation into an intellectual man, as well as the long-term continuation of "Lavvit!", led by Akira Kawashima, who has established himself not only as a comedian but also as a renowned host.