Actor Karma

Armed with 100 million business cards, he takes on the path of acting with a boyish heart

Actor Karma

■ Profile
He started his career mainly on YouTube (with over 1.7 million subscribers as of January 2026), then switched to acting, which had been his goal for a long time, and made his acting debut in the drama "Wave, Listen to Me!" in 2023.
She has appeared in "Number One Sentai Gojuger" and "Cinderella's Closet."
The drama "Punch-Drunk Woman - XX Days Left Until Prison Break" (Nippon TV, 10:30pm) is currently airing.

With over 100 million YouTube subscribers, Karma has achieved his childhood dream of becoming an actor, armed with the "strongest calling card." He has an overwhelming ability to self-produce, cultivated through self-study, and a stoic attitude of never being satisfied with the status quo and continuing to climb the ladder. We delve into the firm resolve as an artist and his feelings for his fans that lie hidden behind his free-spirited way of speaking.

Aiming for the media world, he carved out his own path with "One Million Business Cards"

For me, the world of media has been a part of everyday life since I was a child. I grew up in a household where the TV was always on, so I honestly thought that "everyone will be on TV when they grow up." But as I grew older, that became more of a "dream."
At the age of 16, I decided to move to Tokyo to make that dream a reality. I saved up money by working part-time jobs and headed out to Tokyo with nothing but unfounded confidence. I had a sweet image of "I'll be scouted as soon as I walk around Harajuku and become famous in no time," but the reality wasn't that simple. No scouts came my way at all. From there, I attended a training school and worked as an extra for several years, spending my early years facing the gap between my ideals and reality.
After several years of trial and error, I realized that I couldn't continue like this. I didn't want to end up as just a narcissist, but I wanted to arm myself with the solid weapon of "numbers." With that in mind, I started YouTube. At the time, the term "YouTuber" had just started to be used. I was convinced that we were entering an era where individual fandoms (passionate fan bases) would have power, so I chose YouTube as my trump card to enter my true career as an actor.

■ The joy of being "part of the work" and the gap between that and the reality on set

Of all the different forms of expression, why did I choose to become an actor? It was because I was attracted to the idea of ​​being packaged as a single work and becoming a part of the story. Ever since I was a child, I would go to the cinema every week and devour dramas with rapt attention, I have had the desire to be at the forefront of that world.
What surprised me when I actually entered the world of acting was the passion and precision on set. A scene that seems smooth and flowing to viewers can take an entire day to shoot, with different angles and multiple takes. Speed ​​is everything in YouTube, but in dramas and movies, many professionals are involved, and it takes a huge amount of time and effort to create the "best moment." Learning the importance of teamwork was a big change for me.

■Being "free" and not doubting "yourself"

The most important thing for me in my work is "being free." This hasn't changed since my YouTube days. I've been able to make everything I've decided I wanted to become and achieve a reality. This is because I've always valued not wavering and not doubting my own instincts.
As we grow up, there are times when we all unconsciously become defensive. But I don't want to lose my firm beliefs and the purity of a "boy's heart." I want to trust the feelings that arise from within me, rather than the voices of those around me.
My motivation is very simple. I simply love what I do. The fun in this job outweighs the difficulties. That's why I can accept any hardships as a joy that helps me to step up.

■The true "me now" that is contained in my first photo book

This time, I'm releasing my first photo book, "Karma 1st Photo Book" (tentative title). The location of the photo shoot was Taiwan, a place that holds many memories for me. The fixed idea I had up until then that "photos should look cool" was shattered during the photo shoot process. Facing the photographer, I was ready to reveal everything about myself, both the parts of myself I want to show and the parts I don't want to show.
I stand in front of the camera not as a character in a play, but as a person named Karma. There is no artificiality or pretense, just my raw emotions. I was particular about selecting each and every photo, and have created a structure that allows you to feel the story throughout the book. It is a candid book that will allow me to look back in the future and proudly say, "I was not lying to myself at that time."

Relationships with people and a vision for the future

I've had the opportunity to work on many sets recently, including the drama "Punch Drunk Woman: Days Left Until Prison Break." I'm surrounded by such wonderful co-stars that I'm always nervous, but I try to communicate proactively on set.
When meeting someone for the first time, it's not uncommon to keep your distance because you don't know them well. However, if you muster up the courage to open up, things can be surprisingly easy. If you initially establish yourself as a "quiet person," it can be difficult to open up later. I value the way I interact with people from the beginning, so that I can be myself in the long run.
Although he has now graduated from YouTube and is concentrating on acting, there is still so much he wants to do. In the future, he dreams of having his own radio show, while still focusing on acting. The entertainment world is inevitably a high barrier to entry, and a certain distance tends to develop between him and his fans. Even during his YouTube days, he posted infrequently, so perhaps that distance was actually a factor. That's why he is attracted to a place where he can deliver his unfiltered, life-sized voice every week.

■Message to university students

To be honest, as someone who didn't go to university, I can't help but envy you all. I think university life is the most free time of your life. Rather than overthinking or worrying about things, just enjoy the time you have to the fullest. The experiences you gain in that free environment will surely become irreplaceable treasures. I sometimes visit campuses to shoot for my work, and when I do, I get the chance to see you all shining brightly.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on December 21, 2026 by Toyo University 4th year student, Ota Fuuka

"Karma 1st Photobook" (tentative title) to be released!

Yuina Yamamoto, third-year student at Keio University; Fuuka Ota, fourth-year student at Toyo University; Kensei Tokuhara, first-year student at Information, Management and Innovation University; Sakura Yamashita, third-year student at Tsuda University