Since their debut in 2018, the J-Pop scene has witnessed the meteoric rise of King & Prince. What began as a youth phenomenon has transformed, after years of evolution and structural changes, into a dynamic duo that redefines resilience and artistic talent in Japan. Today, Ren Nagase and Kaito Takahashi not only keep the essence of the group alive, but have elevated it to new heights of sophistication and commercial success.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the journey of these two stars, accompanying them from their beginnings to learn more about their successful individual careers in acting and fashion, to their consolidation as the cornerstone of King & Prince today, culminating in global anticipation for their upcoming “Dome Tour 2026: STARRING”.
23 May 2018 marked a turning point in the Japanese music industry with the release of “Cinderella Girl“. King & Prince burst onto the scene with a regal image and vocal quality that immediately captured the hearts of millions of fans, affectionately dubbed Tiara by the members themselves from that moment on. Although the group originally had six members, fate and personal decisions led to several restructurings and a significant transition in May 2023. Their ability to reinvent themselves and maintain exceptional musical quality despite adversity has kept them at the top of the charts, proving that their brilliance is unquenchable.
Their success began explosively with their debut single, “Cinderella Girl“. This song not only became a generational anthem, but also set a standard for elegance and charisma. The song achieved sales of over 500,000 copies in its first week, positioning itself as one of the most successful debuts of the decade in Japan and establishing a modern “prince” aesthetic that captivated audiences of all ages.
As the group’s career progressed, their musical approach became more ambitious. King & Prince began experimenting with genres beyond traditional pop, integrating elements of hip-hop, R&B, and high-energy dance-pop. Albums such as L& (Land) and Made in showed remarkable maturity, with complex choreography and world-class production. Songs such as “Ichiban“, “Magic Touch“, “Tsukiyomi“, “Bounce“, among others, broke the mould, standing out for their powerful rap base and a visual style inspired by traditional Japanese culture mixed with urban modernity.
In 2023, the group began a new chapter starring Ren Nagase and Kaito Takahashi. Far from losing momentum, this new phase has served to reaffirm the emotional connection with their fans and their commercial relevance. The duo demonstrated astonishing professional maturity, maintaining the identity of King & Prince while exploring more contemporary sounds and cutting-edge visual projects.
King & Prince‘s dominance of the Japanese charts, specifically Oricon and Billboard Japan, is not just a matter of popularity, but a phenomenon of consistency and historical records that few artists have managed to achieve in the modern era of J-Pop. Since the release of their first single, King & Prince set a precedent. In addition to the incredible number of copies sold in its debut week, if there is anything even more impressive is their streak of number ones on Oricon: every single one of their singles released since their debut has reached the top spot on the weekly singles chart. This consistency places them in an elite group, as one of the few artists in Japanese history to have more than 10 consecutive releases debut at number one since the start of their career.
In a market where physical formats remain crucial, King & Prince is an unstoppable force. Their single “Life Goes On / We Are Young” and their Best Album “Mr5” surpassed the one million copies sold mark, a milestone that is extremely difficult to achieve nowadays and which attests to the massive loyalty of their fan base. Their DVDs and Blu-rays also top the music video charts (Music DVD/BD), where their concert recordings often occupy the top spots annually, demonstrating that their success extends from music to the visual experience.
In the transition to their current line-up being just two members, Ren and Kaito, there were doubts as to whether they would maintain this dominance. The results in the charts have been overwhelming: All their singles and the three albums since 2023; “Peace” (2023), “Re:ERA” (2024) and “STARRING” (2025) continued the tradition of reaching number 1 on Oricon. On Billboard Japan, they have managed to maintain a solid presence in the Top Artist chart, proving that the King & Prince brand continues to carry enormous weight in the industry. In short, Ren and Kaito‘s dominance is “hybrid“: they possess the old-school physical sales power (Oricon) and the cultural and digital relevance of the new era (Billboard), securing their position as one of the undisputed leaders of today’s J-Pop.
The duo’s unstoppable success is not only reflected in their sales, but also in their collaborations with world-class brands, including their recent collaboration with Disney, which is a historic milestone, as they are the first Japanese artists to create an official theme song for Mickey Mouse: “What We Got ~Kiseki wa Kimi to~“. This song, based on an original Disney theme, features the active participation of Ren and Kaito, who personally translated the lyrics into Japanese and contributed fresh arrangements that reflect their current essence.
Released in May 2025 to celebrate the group’s seventh anniversary, the collaboration is part of the global campaign “Mickey & Friends: In Real Life“. The project includes a music video that blends animation with reality and an exclusive documentary on Disney+ that shows the creative process behind this union. In addition to being a commercial success included on their album “STARRING“, the alliance was cemented with the appearance of Mickey on their last dome tour and emotional joint performances, including at Disney California Adventure Park, where Ren and Kaito danced alongside Mickey and Minnie in front of the castle and at the prestigious NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen New Year’s Eve festival, reaffirming the duo as Disney‘s “best friends” in Japan. They are also currently collaborating on the campaign for the 12th anniversary of the Japanese version of “Tsum Tsum” game.
REN NAGASE | 永瀬 廉
The “Jet Black” of Elegance and Acting Talent
Born on 23 January 1999 in Tokyo, but having spent most of his childhood in Osaka, where he joined the Kansai Junior Ren has been one of the most recognisable and beloved faces in Japanese entertainment since day one. Represented by the colour Jet Black, his aura exudes a unique blend of youthful freshness and classic elegance that has made him a favourite of luxury brands and film directors. His evolution since 2018 has not been limited to music; he has become one of the most sought-after faces in Japanese cinema and television, accumulating awards and critical acclaim.
Ren doesn’t just act; he transforms himself. His ability to switch from light comedy to heart-wrenching drama has allowed him to work with the country’s best directors. Highlights of his filmography include: Ninjani Sanjo! Mirai e no Tatakai (2014): His first steps on the big screen as Shinji Goto; Uchi no Shitsuji ga Iu Koto Niwa (2019): His first leading role as Kaei Karasuma, where he demonstrated his aristocratic bearing; Yowamushi Pedal (2020): The role that changed everything. His portrayal of Sakamichi Onoda earned him the Best New Actor award at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prizes; The Midnight Maiden War (2022), Houtei Yugi/The Innocent Game (2023), Drawing Closer (2024): A global hit on Netflix where he played Akito Hayasaka, a young artist with a terminal illness, moving audiences around the world; The Last Man: The Movie – First Love (2025) and Oni no Hanayome/The Ogre’s Bride (March 2026): His next big release, a romantic fantasy in which he plays Reiya Kiryuin, the charismatic leader of a supernatural clan. He has also worked as a voice actor in: Doraemon: Nobita’s Sky Utopia (2023): he lent his voice to the perfect robot cat Sonya, demonstrating her versatility in dubbing as well and Fureru (2024): Leading voice role as Aki Onoda.
On the small screen, we can find him in such well-known series as: Nobunaga no Chef (2013–2014): His historic debut as Mori Ranmaru; Ore no Sukato, Doko Itta? (2019), Fly! Boys, Fly! (2019), Okaeri Mone (2021): His role as Ryo Oikawa in this Asadora (NHK morning drama series) made him a household name throughout Japan; Shin Nobunaga Kouki Gaiden (2022): He played a cloned version of the historical leader Oda Nobunaga, winning the Best Actor award at the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix; Yugure ni, Te wo Tsunagu (2023), Tokyo Tower (2024), Onzoshi ni koi wa muzu sugiru (2025), Reboot (January 2026): His most recent project for TBS, a suspense thriller in which he plays Wataru Fuyuhashi, a man with a double life between justice and crime.
Ren‘s magnetism has led him to become the face of campaigns that define the Japanese lifestyle. His status as a “Friend of the House’ of Dior Beauty” is just the tip of the iceberg of an enviable commercial track record. He’s a regular on fashion covers (Vogue Japan, Elle, AnAn). His collaboration with Dior has been revolutionary, especially in the “Dior Backstage” line, where he has helped redefine modern male beauty. In addition, his historic streak as Best Jeanist and winner of the ViVi Magazine’s Ikemen Ranking (three consecutive years) has elevated him to the “Hall of Fame” of urban fashion in Japan.
Ren is not just a member of King & Prince; he is a brand in himself. His ability to maintain that air of Jet Black mystery while giving his all to every role or advertising campaign is what keeps him at the top of the industry.
KAITO TAKAHASHI | 髙橋海人
The “Sunflower Yellow” of Movement and Creativity
Born on 3 April 1999 in Kanagawa, he is the creative and vibrant soul of the group. Identified with the colour Sunflower Yellow, Kaito brings a warm energy and artistic technique that ranges from professional dance to illustration and high-level acting. He is the artistic heart of King & Prince, his career is that of a total creator; A world-class dancer, even before joining STARTO, Kaito was already an accomplished dancer, having won national competitions. This technical foundation translates into an electrifying stage presence that drives King & Prince‘s choreography; An actor with boundless sensitivity, and the agency’s first artist to officially debut as a manga artist (In Betsukomi magazine), proving that his talent knows no bounds.
As for his acting career, Kaito has been adept at choosing projects that challenge the traditional image of an “idol“, opting for complex characters with psychological nuances and strong emotional depth. His evolution on screen has been steady and upward. On the big screen, we can find him in works such as: Black School Rules (2019): His first major film role as Chuya, a story about student rebellion against oppressive rules, Dr. Coto’s Clinic (2022): He joined this legendary film franchise playing the young doctor Hanto, receiving praise for his maturity on screen, Akira and Akira (2022): A corporate thriller in which he played Kaidou Ryoma, proving that he can hold his own in more serious and corporate genres, and his two most recent works, the historical film Oi, Oui (2025) playing his first role in a period drama, where he immerses himself in the world of Japanese painting and history, and Kimi no Kao de wa Nake Nai/Can’t Cry with Your Face (2025): Where he has received incredible and countless reviews, one more time, for his performance in the role of Manami Mizumura.
Also he has appeared in numerous television dramas since his debut: Bukatsu, Suki Janakya Dame Desuka? (2018): His first leading role, in which he played Nishino; Black School Rules (2019): Where he worked alongside his agency colleague Sato Shori (timelesz) playing Chuya; Nee-chan no Koibito (2020), Dragon Zakura S2 (2021): The role that made him famous. His portrayal of Akira Seto, a student with family problems who struggles to get into Tokyo University, was acclaimed for its honesty and strength; Mirai e no 10 Count (2022): Acting alongside the legendary Takuya Kimura, he brought Kaito Iba to life; Boyfriend Kourin! (2022): His first dual leading role (Asahi/Sumito Urushibara), a romantic comedy where he displayed all his charm; Daga, Jounetsu wa Aru (2023): One of his most challenging performances was playing the real-life comedian Wakabayashi Masayasu. His mimicry and emotional depth earned him the Best Actor award at the 116th Drama Academy Awards; 95 (2024), Wagaya wa Tanoshi (2025), and his last work DOPE (2025).
Outside of acting, Kaito‘s style is a blend of sophisticated streetwear and a unique artistic aesthetic, which has made him a magnet for brands seeking authenticity and freshness. He is, as Ren, a fashion icon, but with a more experimental and artistic approach, as demonstrated by becoming the global brand ambassador for ETRO. But Kaito doesn’t just lend his face to brands; he creates. He is responsible for many of the designs for King & Prince‘s official merchandise and also has his own capsule collection within ETRO, featuring various garments designed by himself. He has also collaborated with skincare and cosmetics brands, standing out for her image of “perfect skin” and health, being the face of brands such as “Torriden“.
Of course, one cannot talk about Kaito without mentioning his role as a choreographer. Since 2023, he has taken the reins of the duo’s dance direction, integrating styles ranging from urban hip-hop to more classical dance. His vision defines the visual aesthetic of this new era as a duo and, of course, that of the upcoming dome tour “STARRING” which will kick off on 17 January.
Beyond traditional concert stages, Kaito has cemented his reputation as an authority in dance through his participation in elite programmes such as Nippon TV‘s “The Dance Day“. This contest, one of the most prestigious in the country, is not just a talent show; it is a high-level competition that brings together the best dancers of all genres. Kaito has played a key role as Tournament Supporter (tournament ambassador) in the most recent editions (2024 and 2025), his presence was not just ceremonial, sharing the table and stage with legends such as YOSHIKI (X Japan), kazuki (s**t kingz) and Kenzo (DA PUMP), Kaito demonstrated technical and artistic skills on par with the veterans. He is now bringing this technical expertise to the Dome Tour “STARRING”, where he has taken charge of choreography to ensure that every second of dance is a visual work of art!
Ren and Kaito have released works that showcase impressive musical cohesion. Their albums have explored genres ranging from classic pop to funk and experimental R&B. Songs such as Nanimono and moooove!! have become anthems of this new era, demonstrating that the harmony between the two is possibly the strongest the group has ever had. Their live performances have become immersive experiences where technology and visual art (often supervised by Kaito) meet Ren‘s natural charisma. The audience response has been unanimous: King & Prince is at its best!
Released on 24 December 2025, King & Prince‘s seventh album, entitled “STARRING“, is an unprecedented concept album in their career. The genius of this new and recent musical work lies in the fact that each of the nine new songs is designed as if it were the theme song for a fictional film of a different genre. The album moves through suspense, classic romance, action and drama, allowing the duo to explore a wide range of vocal registers. The album debuted directly at number 1 on Oricon and Billboard Japan, reaffirming that the concept of “musical cinema” resonated deeply with the public. The phenomenon “Theater“, the album’s lead track, has been one of the most brilliant and viral marketing campaigns in recent months on social media. It has not been limited to being a music video, but has become a participatory movement that has flooded platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X.
The announcement of the Dome Tour 2026: STARRING has shaken the foundations of the industry. Domes in Japan are one of the most sacred and massive venues, reserved only for the music elite. The fact that Ren and Kaito are returning to these stages as a duo for the second consecutive year is a testament to their immense drawing power. The concept of the tour, aligned with their latest self-titled album released in December 2025, promises to be a celebration of the light and prominence that each fan has in the group’s history. With confirmed dates at the most iconic venues:
Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka (January)
Kyocera Dome Osaka (January)
Tokyo Dome (February)
Vantelin Dome Nagoya (March)
Attending a STARRING date is to witness history. It is to see how two artists who grew up under public scrutiny have blossomed into masters of their craft. The chemistry between Ren‘s Jet Black and Kaito‘s Sunflower Yellow will create a visual and sonic spectrum that promises to be unforgettable!
Ren and Kaito have proven that the true strength of a group lies not in the number of its members, but in passion, mutual respect, and connection with their audience. From 2018 to this brilliant 2026, they have navigated turbulent waters to emerge as the brightest stars in the Japanese firmament.
King & Prince is not just a name; it is a promise of excellence that will be fulfilled, once again, on the stage of the Dome Tour STARRING.
For fans overseas, you can get your DVD/Blu-ray of Re:ERA through CD Japan!
Limited Edition (DVD / Blu-ray), Regular edition (DVD / Blu-ray).
Photo assets © STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.
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