Kento Yamazaki, who will star in two major films that will leave their mark on history—"Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Prison Attack Arc," scheduled for release on March 13, 2026, and "Kingdom: The Soul's Decisive Battle," scheduled for release in July—is one of the hottest actors right now. He embodies the "immortal Sugimoto," who keeps moving forward despite being injured, and his favorite watch is Hublot, a brand that revolutionized the watch industry. In their unwavering determination to continue challenging themselves, the actor and the brand perfectly overlap.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
[Article published on January 22, 2026]
Now, the "immortal" has returned to the screen.
On March 13, 2026, the film "Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Prison Attack Arc" was released. Kento Yamazaki plays "Immortal Sugimoto," a man who survives countless life-or-death situations but never gives up. In the grand story unfolding in Hokkaido, his inner strength stands out, and the way of life of a man who keeps moving forward despite being wounded is deeply imprinted on the hearts of viewers. With its exquisite blend of comical elements and serious tension, and its skillful weaving of history, culture, and Ainu folklore, this film has captivated a wide range of audiences.
The "Kingdom" series, also starring Kento Yamazaki, continues to unfold with undiminished momentum. Set in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods of ancient China, he continues to play Shin, a war orphan boy who dreams of becoming a great general, and the fifth installment, "Kingdom: The Soul's Decisive Battle," is scheduled for nationwide release on July 17, 2026. The story of an unknown boy who races through the wilderness of history and creates a legend with his own strength only grows more passionate with each installment of the series.
"The immortal Sugimoto" and "Shin, who aims to be the greatest warrior in the world." Kento Yamazaki continues to embody these two heroes, who live in completely different eras and settings, simultaneously. This is a job that demands extraordinary concentration and stamina, and an average actor would likely be overwhelmed by one of the roles. Why is he the only one who can live in two "eras" at the same time? The answer lies in the trajectory of actor Kento Yamazaki.
The Map of the Actor Kento Yamazaki
Since his debut in 2010, Kento Yamazaki has appeared in numerous television dramas, films, and stage productions, constantly challenging himself without being confined to any particular genre. The year after his debut, he made his film debut, rapidly expanding his field of activity. In 2014, the "kabedon" (wall slam) he performed in the film "L・DK" was selected as one of the top 10 popular phrases of that year, making him a household name nationwide. Following this event, he appeared in a series of live-action film adaptations of shojo manga, and his fame and popularity skyrocketed.
However, Kento Yamazaki's true essence lies on a different level than his superficial popularity. In 2018, he starred in "Good Doctor," taking on the challenging role of a pediatric surgical resident with savant syndrome who exhibits an extraordinary memory despite having autism spectrum disorder, and he won the Best Actor award at the 98th Television Drama Academy Awards for his performance.
In the same year, he became the first Japanese person to win the Asia Best Actor Award, and his acting skills have also garnered international acclaim. As his friend, actor Masaki Suda, says, "His approach to each and every film is incredible," and it is this stoic attitude towards his roles that is the source of Kento Yamazaki's expressive power.
Regarding the release of "Golden Kamuy: Attack on Abashiri Prison," Yamazaki said the following:
"Up until now, I've often played characters who grow and develop, but with the role of Sugimoto, I wanted to portray a man who is trying to regain what he lost and the feelings he had forgotten after overcoming challenges. I think that as I've gotten older, I was able to show a lot of things I've never shown before."
These words reveal a clear deepening of his skills as an actor. To portray "Immortal Sugimoto," he gained about 10 kg in weight to express his strength and also underwent military training derived from Japanese martial arts. On the other hand, for Shin in "Kingdom," he lost about 10 kg through carbohydrate restriction and exercise to match the circumstances of an orphan. He transforms his body from within to embody the character and immerses himself wholeheartedly in the story. This thorough approach to character preparation is the reason he is called "the face of live-action adaptations."
What is Hublot? — A Revolution of "Fusion"
Hublot's brand concept can be encapsulated in three words: "First, Unique, and Different." "First" means having the courage to try something that no one else has done before.
"Unique" is not merely an expression of individuality, but refers to a degree of originality that deconstructs existing values. And "one of a kind" means possessing an outstanding presence that leaves no room for comparison.
Hublot's challenging approach to materials continues to influence the entire watch industry, and it has embodied this spirit in every aspect, from collaborations with world-renowned artists and famous brands to the development of innovative movements.
It was a brand with such a strong philosophy that chose Kento Yamazaki as its new ambassador in 2023. Hublot had previously welcomed artists, athletes, and other prominent figures who continue to take on challenges as ambassadors, but this was the first time in the world that they had appointed an actor. Why did Hublot choose an actor? And why Kento Yamazaki?
Upon his appointment as ambassador, Yamazaki spoke frankly about his feelings. "Hublot is a brand that continues to challenge itself in terms of function and design, and is constantly evolving. I also want to continue taking on new challenges..." This single statement contains all the answers. In their shared determination to keep challenging themselves, the two are clearly in sync.
When the screen and dial resonate
What "Immortal Sugimoto" embodies is not merely the character's toughness. It is the strength of will to never stop moving forward, even when injured and burdened with losses. This image bears a striking resemblance to Hublot's approach of redefining the watch industry by stepping outside the box. Only those who fearlessly step forward can open up new horizons.
The legacy that Shin from "Kingdom" has built resonates deeply with Hublot's history. The story of an unknown orphan who rewrites history using only his own beliefs as his weapon... it mirrors the revolutionary structure of Hublot, which, in its early days, was considered an outsider by the industry but forged its own unique path.
This model features a satin and polished black ceramic bezel. It is an automatic movement (Cal.HUB1280), with 43 jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour, and a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. It has an 18K king gold case (44mm diameter) and is water-resistant to 10 atmospheres. Price: ¥5,885,000 (including tax).
With the release of "Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Prison Attack Arc," Kento Yamazaki's career has entered a new phase. Starting as a prince in shojo manga, and after earnestly taking on challenging roles, he has now become an actor who represents two eras simultaneously. His trajectory is not a single growth curve, but rather a complex map where multiple challenges intersect.
"Challenge is about perseverance"—Hublot and Kento Yamazaki have embodied this principle in their respective fields. It's not a single revolution, but by repeatedly trying new things and moving forward without fear of failure, that the power to change the times is born. Just as different materials fuse within a watch, and as characters overlap on the screen, only the accumulation of challenges can produce true brilliance.
The existence of both of them suggests that only those who never stand still can truly mark the course of an era.
