Takanori Iwata is a Japanese dancer and actor. He performs with the J-Pop groups Sandaime J Soul Brothers and Exile. As a member of Sandaime J Soul Brothers, he has received the Japan Record Awards twice. He earned his first leading role as an actor in the film Shokubutsu Zukan in 2016, which won him the "Newcomer of the Year Award" at the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize. Since then, he has appeared in many more television dramas and films. In 2019, he starred as Junichi Wakamiya, the Japanese version of Dr. Watson, in Fuji TV's drama Sherlock: Untold Stories.
Takanori Iwata at SSFF Asia 2018
Sandaime J Soul Brothers , formerly simply J Soul Brothers and also known as Sandaime J Soul Brothers from Exile Tribe, are a J-pop vocal and dance group formed by Exile ex-leader and producer Hiroyuki Igarashi in Japan in 1991. Sandaime J Soul Brothers are managed by Hiroyuki's talent agency LDH and are a part of the supergroup, Exile Tribe. Reformed exclusively by Exile's Vocal Battle Audition in 2010, Sandaime J Soul Brothers released their first single "Best Friend's Girl" in November 2010, which peaked at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart. Their self-titled debut album J Soul Brothers, released in 2011, also peaked at number three. In 2013, they achieved their first number-one record with their third album Miracle.
From left to right: NAOTO, Takanori Iwata, Hiroomi Tosaka, Naoki Kobayashi, Ryuji Imaichi, Kenjiro Yamashita, ELLY.
Sandaime J Soul Brothers receiving their second Japan Record Awards Grand Prize in December, 2015
Sandaime J Soul Brothers at the 68th Kohaku Uta Gassen Festival.