3-12-2023 (HONG KONG) Sho Hirano has quickly emerged as one of Japan’s most popular young idols, the 26-year-old recently made his debut in Hong Kong with an appearance at Louis Vuitton’s 2024 Men’s Pre–Fall fashion show that instantly sparked a frenzy among his legions of fans in the city.
Hirano shared a photo on Instagram the night before the show overlooking Victoria Harbour, writing “Hong Kong, I’m coming to bother you.” Fans were ecstatic to see him walk the runway in a stylish green and black suit, with some drawing comparisons to the popular anime character Tanjiro Kamado.
View this post on Instagram
While Hirano first gained attention in 2018 when he debuted with the idol group King & Prince under Johnny & Associates, he has recently rebranded himself following a pivot in his career earlier this year. In May, he departed both King & Prince and Johnny & Associates, joining a new agency called TOBE alongside fellow former King & Prince members Yuta Kishi and Yuta Jinguji. The trio then launched a new group called Number_i.
The career move allowed Hirano to hit reset and fully control his public image. When he launched his personal Instagram account upon joining TOBE, he amassed over 200,000 followers within a single day, with his first post receiving over 1 million likes instantly. His account rapidly grew to surpass 4 million followers, a testament to his huge and dedicated fanbase in Japan.
Beyond music, Hirano has also starred in live-action adaptations of several popular manga and anime titles. His breakthrough role came in 2018 with Honey, where his warm on-screen presence contrasted well with his delinquent character. He has since starred in dramas based on Hanazakari no Kimitachi e and Flower of Evil, winning multiple best new actor awards.
Behind his successes, Hirano’s friendly and playful personality has earned him admirers both within the industry and among fans. He maintains a famously close “bromance” with fellow actor Yokohama Ryusei, regularly showcasing their bond on social media. While some quirks like crowd anxiety and sleepwalking were revealed in past variety show appearances, Hirano’s genuine enthusiasm and goofy charm have clearly resonated with audiences in Japan and now, it seems, in Hong Kong as well. With his blend of talent, humour and authenticity, Sho Hirano continues to prove why he’s one of Japan’s brightest emerging stars.
