GYAO MOOK: Is it worth it?

Is it worth it?

Featured on two pages in 562 yen (which in US dollars came to about $12 when I bought it) magazine GYAO, Kanata Hongo fans are wondering if it's worth spending time and money on it.

Considering other magazines Kanata have appeared in, the page and picture amount is fairly disappointing. Not only does the magazine contain only 4 pictures, each picture is really just a screenshot from the movie GANTZ—which was already a common sight—because the magazine was release before the premiere of GANTZ. If you are more interested in the visual than the interview, then this magazine may not meet your expectations, especially if compared to the 4 page feature on fashion magazine Seda (released Jan 2011) with a never before seen photo-shoot. 

On the other hand, however, the interview completely makes up for the visual disappointment. The interview is split up into 2 sections. The first brushes upon GANTZ promoting questions that briefs on Kanata's experience as Nishi and his thoughts on the GANTZ production. He talks about his character as well as the atmosphere on the set. 

Since the magazine was released in December—a month after Kanata's 20th birthday—the second part of the interview focuses on the more exciting subject about his personal life, which abruptly draws in the fans' attention. The first question addresses change in his life since turning 20, if he had any. Much to the excitement of the fans (including me) Kanata reveals that his friend took him to the bar for his birthday celebration. Apparently he can hold his liquor quite well. But it doesn't stop there. Kanata recently got his license and talks about driving up to Hakata—a 10 hour drive from Tokyo—with four of his friends after buying his car. It was during this road trip that he and his friends also decided that they wanted to host a sports festival. "We borrowed the gym and had a total of about 60 people. Although I was the leader of the Red Team, we were admirably in the lowest rank," Kanata recalls. 

A "single focus person", Kanata calls himself, who can't see anything else once he found his focus (like yo-yos in this case). Yet, "with the futon and computer and a cardboard full of sweets, who knows how many hours I spend in my room". Really, who knows?

Should a fan spend those 562 yen and countless hours on this magazine in their room? 

Definitely yes.

From cute to sexy?!

Cute. Funny. Mysterious. Hot and sexy?! From cute to sexy?!

Just who is entailing this vague range of words?

20 year old Hongo Kanata has been in the modeling and acting industry since young. According to a magazine interview, he was recruited to be a model for children’s magazines when he was little. At the age of 10, Kanata auditioned for J.E (Johnny’s Entertainment) by performing a magic trick—probably in remembrance to his grandfather whom passed away when he was in 4th grade. Even though he didn't make it into the entertainment, Kanata succeeded as both a model and an actor in his current company Stardust Production.

Kanata made his first appearance in 2000 in LOVIBE’s PV “The Boom”. From there, he began to appear in movies and dramas such as Returner (2002), Moon Child (2003), Aikurushii (2005), and Kiraware Matsuko no Issho (2006). One of his most well-known role is Ryoma Echizen in The Prince of Tennis (2006). The Prince of Tennis gave everyone an impression upon him and from there it lead to Nana 2 (2006), Himitsu no Hanazono (2007), Seito Shokun (2007), and first English movie, Silk (2008). In summer 2008, he took the role of Okamoto Riku, a bright "ikemen" character different from most of his previous roles. He also starred in 3 movies that year— Aoi Tori, Goth, and K-20.

Kanata graduated from the well-known private Hinode High School Spring 2009 and is currently attending college. Although he took most of his first year of college off from work to adjust to the schedule, he made several appearances in dramas such as Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari and Reset as well as in magazines like Junon and Kera. In late 2009, he released his first official calendar. Shortly after, news got out that he had been casted in Gantz as Nishi.

In April 2010, he took the role of Izumi, an ex-yankee, in Yankee-kun to Megane-chan, once again showing a side of his acting the fans has never seen before. Later that summer, he took on the role of Momori Dan—a hikikomori taking his first steps to opening himself to the outside world—in Tokyo23~Survival City, acting along with well-known actor Yagira Yuya.

Most recently, he starred in the drama special Saigo no Bansan: Keiji Tono Kazuyuki to Shichinin no Yougisha.

Aside from his movies and dramas, he appeared in PVs (Promotional Videos), as well as Commercials. Some examples of his appearance in PVs involve YUI’s “Tomorrow's way”, “Eien no Tsubasa” (Eternal Wings) by B’z, and his latest, “Namida Sora” by GReeeeN. His commercials mainly revolved around “Aera Home” and “Meiji”.

In his latest work, Kanata took the challenge to guest in his first stage play for the theatrical company Dotoo 25th Anniversary commemoration performance "Kinema no Kamisama".

All his fans are anticipating the release of the GANTZ DVDs and news of more of Kanata's amazing acting.

And yes. He still is cute through sexy.