April 9, 2026 is a meaningful date for Shonen Ninja and Junior fans: it marks ten years since Nao Oriyama first stepped through the doors of the agency we know today as STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and began a journey that would go on to amaze fans and peers alike. A decade may seem like just a number, but in the fast-moving — and sometimes unforgiving — world of entertainment, it represents years of growth, resilience, and unforgettable moments shared between an artist and his supporters.
Known for his exceptional expressiveness, Nao began dancing at a young age and was recognized for his talent by celebrated choreographer Ikuyo Kuroda, who invited him to appear in her dance projects. From those early days filled with potential and aspirations to the electrifying presence we see today, Nao‘s evolution has been nothing short of remarkable. Along the way, he’s not only honed his sense of movement and expanded his career into acting — including landing the co-lead role in the 2022 BL drama “Takara-kun & Amagi-kun” (streaming on Rakuten Viki) — but also built a connection with fans that transcends stages, screens, and borders.
As we celebrate this 10-year anniversary, it’s the perfect time to reflect on some of the contributions, challenges, and achievements that continue to shape this ninja’s legacy today — and to look ahead to the exciting future that still awaits.
Film: “Uchi no Ototo Domo ga Sumimasen” / うちの弟どもがすみません (2024)
In December 2024, Nao made his feature film debut in “Uchi no Ototo Domo ga Sumimasen” (“Please excuse my younger brothers”), a live-action based on the manga of the same name. The story follows Ito (played by Mei Hata), a hardworking high school girl who, due to her mother’s remarriage, shockingly finds herself living alongside four quirky stepbrothers: the bluntly honest but compassionate Gen (Ryuto Sakuma), the smart and observant Raku (Nasu Yuto), the sensitive and mysterious Shu (Nao), and the wholesome youngest brother Rui (Kirato Uchida). Though initially bewildered by this new environment, Ito throws herself into her role as the eldest sibling of the Narita household with a bright determination.
For Nao, the part marked a noticeable departure from his familiar upbeat idol image. As Shu Narita, he stripped himself down to stillness and restraint, portraying a reclusive boy whose emotions remain buried beneath denial and hesitant movements. His ability to convey vulnerability through silence — his cold countenance, his low self-esteem, the moments in which he quietly begins to break — imbued the character with an aura of wounded solitude, even if the story itself remained relatively light and focused more on Ito‘s bond with Gen than on Shu‘s self-imposed isolation.
Across the film, Nao‘s performance unfolds with careful precision, allowing Shu‘s inner turmoil to surface gradually as his family’s care and support draw him out of his seclusion. However, when it becomes clear that Gen has also developed feelings for Ito, he declares rivalry over their elder sister. At Raku‘s suggestion, the two end up settling things with a cavalry battle during the high school sports festival, and Shu makes a crucial decision that permanently alters the family dynamic. Together, under one roof, the boys create a heart-pounding comedy filled with zero-distance interactions with Ito.
Drama: “Koisuru Keigo 24 Ji” / 恋する警護24時 (2024)
Before his motion picture debut, Nao appeared as a semi-regular supporting cast member in “Koisuru Keigo 24 Ji” (also known as “24 Hours with My Bodyguard”), an ‘investigative action romantic comedy’ starring Snow Man‘s Hikaru Iwamoto and former Nogizaka46 member Mai Shiraishi. This original work penned by Arisa Kaneko was an instant sensation, breaking streaming records and spawning a second season in late 2025, as well as a spin-off drama starring Naniwa Danshi‘s Joichiro Fujiwara.
The series follows the stoic and reserved bodyguard Tatsunoke Kitazawa and his newly assigned client, the sharp-tongued but clumsy lawyer Rika Kishimura. Worried about her safety due to threats stemming from a past case, the director at Rika‘s law firm hired Tatsunoke to protect her, which she constantly disapproves of. As the two are forced to cohabitate despite their clashing personalities, romantic tension gradually builds between them, particularly in the face of danger.
Having initially followed in the footsteps of his late father, a police officer who was murdered trying to stop a robbery, Tatsunoke became a bodyguard in order to spend more time seeking answers — and justice. With the killer, Yusuke Mizuta, still on the loose, Tatsunoke works intensively to solve the case while taking on elite bodyguard missions from RACCO, a private security firm.
As a young Yusuke, Nao — who had only played flawed but innocent characters on screen up until this point — got the chance to showcase a villainous and manipulative side that is the polar opposite of his warm and friendly idol self, proving that his emotional range isn’t restricted by moral boundaries or genre.
Drama: “Revenge Spy” / リベンジ・スパイ (2025)
In mid 2025, Nao returned to television dramas in “Revenge Spy” (also known as “Love & Revenge: Spy Game”), a tense but heart-fluttering rom-com with Naniwa Danshi‘s Kazuya Ohashi and actress Nagisa Shibuya as leads. The story revolves around Yuga Sugawara, who works in the sales department of a medical IT company, and Hana Imuta, the daughter of said company’s CEO. Yuga infiltrated Imuta Medical Data convinced that it was involved in the death of his older brother Hisayuki, but in the process of getting close to Hana to learn about her father, he unexpectedly finds himself falling for her. For the mission, Yuga is joined by Shinnosuke Okayama (Nao), a dependable and playful game developer who looks up to him like an older brother, and Shinnosuke‘s father Kojiro (Muga Tsukaji), who was a close friend of Hisayuki‘s.
As his right-hand man, Shinnosuke assists Yuga as a reliable fellow spy, providing precise instructions and even stealthily following people around. However, as Yuga and Hana grow closer, he becomes increasingly jealous of their relationship, which viewers quickly found cute and endearing. His fierce devotion to the salesman became a hot topic from the very first episode, and the character gained a passionate fan following.
That overflowing love would explode even further in the spin-off episode “Command Spy” (コマンド・スパイ), which was exclusively streamed on TELASA. In this side story, Shinnosuke visits the restaurant run by Yuga‘s parents. However, the dish he’s about to order has just sold out. The person who got the last serving turns out to be Masato Takato (Nobunaga Daichi), Yuga‘s junior colleague at Imuta Medical Data. The two end up sharing a table and gradually start to connect, but when it becomes clear that Takato has a closer relationship with Yuga than Shinnosuke expected, his competitive spirit begins to surface. Eventually, he reveals the true reason behind his intense feelings for Yuga.
Additionally, since Shinnosuke is a professional gamer, the narrative unfolds with an RPG-style progression. When he takes damage, an ‘HP’ gauge appears on screen and decreases, and he selects his next actions via commands, creating a fun and unique presentation that keeps viewers engaged until the end. Shinnosuke‘s inner thoughts are a highlight of the episode, spilling out as Nao portrays him with ever-changing expressions — mischievous, kitten-like, pure, and sincere.
Stage: “Equus” / エクウス (2026)
In January 2026, Nao stepped into a new chapter of his career with his first leading stage role in three years, the latest rendition of the psychological drama “Equus.” For the Junior, the project marked a bold shift from mostly light, comfortable, and revised performances to dark, intimate, and raw storytelling.
Drawn from a real-life incident, “Equus” is considered a landmark of modern theater that, while outwardly depicting an abnormal crime, squarely confronts the darkness and passion of the human heart. Translated and directed by renowned director Eriko Ogawa, this adaptation reimagines Peter Shaffer‘s play for a contemporary audience.
In “Equus,” Nao took on his most emotionally demanding role yet: Alan Strang, a 17-year-old boy who commits the shocking act of stabbing the eyes of six horses. Shaped by experiences in early childhood, Alan comes to hold the belief that horses are divine beings, eventually developing an abnormal fixation. Psychiatrist Dysart is assigned to treat him, though no one understands Alan‘s motive. As the doctor delves into the boy’s mind, she uncovers a complex web of faith, passion, and obsession that challenges her own understanding of sanity.
Spectators praised Nao for bringing outstanding depth to the character, delivering a performance that could only be described as though Alan had truly possessed him. As one of the strongest pillars of the trainee group Shonen Ninja, Nao‘s evolution had been gradual yet steady — but “Equus” marked the moment his full acting potential broke through, allowing him to step into a role that revealed the complete breadth of what he had always been capable of. What had existed in moderate bursts — his quiet emotional power, precise sensitivity, and innate ability to carry tension — fully emerged as Nao, now pursuing individual activities, returned the stage with commanding presence and unbreakable resolve.
Before the opening, Nao shared that watching productions by talent from his agency as well as Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas made him realize how vast the world is and how fascinating this art can be, highlighting the raw impact of live theater. He expressed, “Of course, video has its own kind of beauty, but there’s something you can only feel in person. Live performance has its own power. Seeing it right in front of you really matters.” He also felt that taking on “Equus” in his 10th year in the entertainment industry may have been the hand of fate at work, stating, “I think there’s meaning in playing this role at my age now.”
Film: “Angel Flight: The Movie” / エンジェルフライト THE MOVIE (2026)
Nao‘s most recent film employment came in the long-awaited sequel to “Angel Flight: Kokusai Reikyu Sokanshi” (エンジェルフライト 国際霊柩送還士), the heartfelt Prime Video Original that captivated audiences in 2023. Following the huge success of the previous installment, Ryoko Yonekura reprised the lead role of Nami Izawa, delivering a moving portrayal of an international repatriation specialist who transports the deceased across borders to reunite them with their loved ones.
Picking up where the drama left off, the movie sees Nami facing new trials and tribulations as she receives information suggesting that Yukito, her lover who was believed to have died in an overseas accident, might still be alive in Mexico. Although she is reluctant to investigate, she is ordered by her boss to travel to the country amid the “Day of the Dead” festival to repatriate a deceased Japanese national. At the same time, her small company, Angel Hearse, tackles mortuary transportation cases spanning Australia, Italy, the United States, and Japan.
Released in February 2026, this film continuation reunited the supporting cast that brought the Angel Hearse team to life: Honoka Matsumoto as the stubborn rookie Rinko Takagi, Yu Shirota as the expert corpse handler Shusuke Hiragi, Kayo Noro as the gossip-loving office worker Minori Matsuyama, Yuma Yamoto as the mood-maker Yuya Yano, Yu Tokui as the calming driver Mitsugu Tanoshita, and Kenichi Endo as the yakuza-like chairman Shiro Kashiwagi.
Joining this stellar line-up, Nao returned to the role of Wataru Izawa, Nami‘s blunt but caring son, who viewers only got a glimpse of in the original series. Nao also got to share a scene with the legendary Kenichi Endo for the first time, adding yet another highlight to his rising acting career.
As mentioned previously, Nao was one of the cornerstones of Shonen Ninja (少年忍者), a pre-debut group that charmed the hearts of fans with their uplifting vocals, spectacular acrobatic displays, funny banter, and their unfaltering dedication to bring only the best entertainment. Originally formed with 14 members under the name Chibikko Ninja on June 9th, 2018, the unit went through many phases, but the bonds they developed and their determination to push themselves harder never ceased.
In January 2020, the group began posting weekly content on the Junior channel every Wednesday, taking over from Snow Man, and embarking on a multi-year journey that would shape them into one of the industry’s most compelling rising acts. From inspiring original songs like “Taiyou no Egao” and “The Shining Star” to beloved covers of agency classics like Hey! Say! JUMP‘s “Beat Line” and NEWS‘ “Sakura Girl,” they became a mesmerizing collective that ignited every venue they stepped into with fiery, adrenaline-fueled performances — whether in joint Junior concerts or solo ventures.
In February 2025, following a major reorganization of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT‘s trainee division, the group was reduced from 21 to 16 members — Waku Motoki, Kohei Aoki, Koki Kawasaki, Hideki Ajima, Sota Uchimura, Wataru Vasayegh, Yusei Nagase, Kosei Hiyama, Nao Oriyama, Koki Kuroda, Rikuto Toyoda, Takumi Kitagawa, Yojiro Taji, Tsubasa Yamai, Ren Kubo and Kairu Tamura.
From August 14 to 31 that year, they held their first and only solo live concert as a 16-member unit, “Shonen Ninja LIVE 2025 This is 忍者,“ before ending activities on November 30. Closing the chapter on 7 years’ worth of dreams, doubt, laughter, and courage, the outcome left many hurt and lost, but the boys’ commitment to deliver performances that resonate deeply remains the same. As each former member aims for greater heights, they step forward to showcase even more of their individual talents on the journeys to come, using their experiences in Shonen Ninja as their compass.
And if Nao‘s recent history is any indication, they are only going to achieve big things.
The dream goes on…
Agile as a ninja and larger than life on stage, Nao Oriyama stands today as one of this generation’s most extraordinary up-and-coming performers — a charming figure whose artistry is driven by ambition, instinct, and a relentless refusal to hold nothing back. This is evident not only in his unwavering dedication, but also in the way he embodies Shonen Ninja‘s drive, fortitude, and unquenchable desire to give 120 percent to everything he does.
Few songs embody that better than “Dreamers,” a high-octane track that perfectly encapsulates what Shonen Ninja meant — no matter what has already happened, there is still the possibility to redefine what comes next. Lines like “nothing can hold me back” and “you ain’t got nothing to say” strip external criticism of its power. The conflict becomes internal rather than external — what matters is whether you can maintain your own beliefs. The song positions confidence as something almost defiant, something you choose to hold onto even when it isn’t supported by others.
Their journey is a living reminder that reaching your goals isn’t about having a perfect path or absolute certainty; it’s about persistence, self-definition, and the refusal to let either past struggles or outside doubt dictate your actions. The “dream” is attainable not because the ride is easy, but because the dreamer keeps going forward anyway.
That conviction is also captured in Nao and Kansai Junior Hikaru Hakui‘s contemporary dance MV by +81 STUDIO. Set to Mrs. GREEN APPLE‘s “Soranji,” the two star in a breathtaking work of art that sends chills down your spine as you watch their performance gradually unfold. Not only are they both incredibly skilled dancers, but the feelings and expressions they communicate throughout the video are truly on another level.
The way they convey themselves feels like a reflection of their journey in the entertainment world: individuals striving to stand out, reaching for hope ahead, only to stumble time and time again. Yet together, they find strength in one another, lifting each other higher as they push forward toward the light. That light could symbolize us, the fans, guiding them through the industry. And just as they illuminate our way, leading us back to safety, we can become their beacon in turbulent times — like the sea of glowing lights at concerts that creates an unforgettable view just for them.