Kento Kaku’s New Frontier Is an ‘Old Joe’ Kind of Guy! From the Panama Hat in *OLDJOE* to *From Today, It’s My Turn!!* Merch—The Reason You Can’t Take Your Eyes Off Him Right Now

Right now, there’s one guy you simply can’t look away from: Kento Kaku. From morning till night, it feels like there isn’t a day you don’t see his face—whether it’s on the big screen, streaming services, or even at the merch counter—he’s entertaining us with his sheer presence everywhere. I mean, his range is anything but ordinary, from that wild Takashi Mitsuhashi to a suave yakuza. This time, I want to delve into what makes Kento Kaku so irresistibly “Old Joe.”

The Aesthetic of the Man in ‘OLDJOE’: It’s All About Pride, ‘Packaged with a Box’

First up, the film that’s got everyone talking: *OLDJOE*. Kaku plays Satoru Nishimura, a former yakuza now in middle age. Directed by Ren Yamada and written by Naoya Morishita, the film shows off his impressively “weathered” allure. What really stands out is the Panama hat he wears perched on his head. And this isn’t just any hat. Beyond its presence in the film, the fact that it’s sold as a “boxed” made-to-order item really speaks to a certain masculine romance.

There’s a grizzled vibe that makes you think he might say a line like, “This ain’t really the kind of hat a guy like me should be wearing,” but the way he turns even that sense of “not quite fitting the mold” into charm is pure Kaku today. I can’t be the only one who, after watching the movie, couldn’t help checking out their own silhouette in the mirror. Walking tall in that hat, he’s got that essence of a true man down pat.

The ‘Coward’ from ‘From Today, It’s My Turn!!’ Is Making a Comeback

Even with all that cool intensity, we can’t forget about that blonde hair. Yes, I’m talking about Takashi Mitsuhashi from *From Today, It’s My Turn!!*. The hit movie is still fresh in our minds, and the popularity shows no signs of fading. I heard that the acrylic keychains that went on sale exclusively at Lawson sold out in no time flat. It’s a real testament to the staying power of the series. On top of that, with the “From Today, It’s My Turn!! Exhibition” happening, I hear they’re re-releasing that red T-shirt with the iconic “Coward” logo (apparently the large size is especially popular).

If you walk around town in that “Coward” tee, it’s basically an instant way to find your “crew.” Kaku’s achievement in establishing such a charismatic character in the modern era is huge. Mitsuhashi is handsome, yet a bit of a goofball, but he can get it done when it counts. That perfect balance—that’s an art form only Kaku can pull off.

• *From Today, It’s My Turn!!* Merch: The Lawson-exclusive acrylic keychains sold out instantly, proving their massive popularity.
• *From Today, It’s My Turn!!* Exhibition: The event-exclusive “Coward” T-shirt (red / size L) is an absolute must-have.
• Film *OLDJOE*: Directed by Ren Yamada, written by Naoya Morishita. Kaku’s character Satoru Nishimura and his Panama hat are a must-see.

Alongside Takao Osawa and Kanata Iwamoto on the Other Side of ‘AI’

Looking at the bigger picture, it’s astonishing how wide his range is. In the film *AI Amok*, he delivered a gripping performance in a near-future suspense alongside Takao Osawa as Kosuke Kiryu and Kanata Iwamoto as Makoto Sakuraba. Amidst that tension, Kaku’s unique presence had a different feel than his comedic work, truly drawing you into the screen. Recently, even a mobile battery tied to that film became a hot topic. It’s like “Kento Kaku” is a whole entertainment package you can enjoy across every medium.

Seeing how he carves out his own space alongside veteran Takao Osawa and his ally Kanata Iwamoto—just watching that process, you can clearly see him gaining new depth as an actor.

In Summary: Keep Your Eyes on This ‘Old Joe’

When you put it all together—films, dramas, merchandise, events—it’s clear he’s hitting us right in the heart from every angle. From the youthful “gotta be now!” energy of Takashi Mitsuhashi to the sophisticated maturity of Satoru Nishimura. It’s as if there are multiple “Joes” living inside him.

Looking ahead, this momentum shows no signs of stopping. What kind of face will he show us on his next project? Maybe one day he’ll show up wearing that Panama hat and a “Coward” T-shirt. Honestly, that’s the kind of special treat you can only expect from a one-of-a-kind entertainer like Kento Kaku. Anyway, I just can’t take my eyes off him for the foreseeable future. Actually, I don’t want to. I’ll be keeping a close watch on this “Old Joe” side of Kento Kaku.