The 2025 winter drama Mikami Sensei, starring Tori Matsuzaka, is a unique school-themed series that unveils the dark side of the education world from a different perspective.
The students in this drama are portrayed by a lineup of talented young actors. Among those who gained significant attention is Daiken Okudaira, who has been very active in recent years.
Daiken plays a troubled student aspiring to become a journalist, known for exposing teachers’ scandals—driving the story forward. Let’s get to know this rising young actor better!
Daiken Okudaira’s Short Profile
Daiken Okudaira was born in Tokyo on September 20, 2003. In his first year of junior high school, he was scouted on his way home and began his career in the entertainment industry.
However, during his school years, he was more focused on his club activities (basketball team) and wasn’t particularly interested in becoming an entertainer.
He began learning karate at the age of six and even won a national championship at the 2012 National Budo Karate Exchange Tournament.
In November 2018, to further develop his acting skills, Daiken auditioned for the film Mother and was selected from hundreds of participants to play the son of the lead character portrayed by Masami Nagasawa.
He portrayed a complex relationship with his mother—a challenging role he delivered with great impact, even going so far as to lose 10 kilograms for the role.
In the fall of 2020, Daiken made his drama debut in the Japanese series Koisuru Hahatachi (Mothers in Love).
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Daiken Okudaira’s Dramas and Films
Here are some of the Japanese dramas and films Daiken Okudaira has appeared in:
1. Mother (Film)
The film Mother, available on Netflix, is based on the true story of the “Kawaguchi Elderly Couple Murder Case.”
It tells the story of a 17-year-old boy who murders his grandparents, with the real mastermind behind the tragedy being his own mother.
Akiko Misumi (played by Masami Nagasawa), a single mother, lives with her son Shuhei (played by Sho Gunji at age 11 and Daiken Okudaira at age 16).
Akiko is lazy and irresponsible, unwilling to work and often uses Shuhei to borrow money from relatives and friends.
One day, Akiko meets Ryo (played by Sadawo Abe), a host at an amusement park, falls in love with him, and even has a daughter with him.
Shuhei grows up in an unstable environment, frequently moving around, often sleeping on the streets, and unable to attend school properly.
Despite knowing he’s being used by his mother for her own gain, Shuhei genuinely loves her.
Eventually, to get money, his mother manipulates Shuhei into murdering his grandparents. This shocking storyline drew wide attention when the film was released.
2. My Small Land (Film)
In the film My Small Land, the main character is a Kurdish girl named Sarya (played by Rina Arashi) who comes to Japan.
At school, she has many friends and lives a normal life as a high school student, forming a special bond with Sota (played by Daiken Okudaira).
However, her life takes a drastic turn when her family’s asylum application is rejected. Not only do they lose their right to work, but they are also forbidden from leaving Saitama Prefecture, where they reside.
Sarya’s father continues to work to support the family but is eventually arrested for working illegally. Sarya is then left to care for her younger siblings while struggling to live independently.
3. The Greatest Teacher
The Greatest Teacher tells the story of Rina Kujo (played by Mayu Matsuoka), a teacher who, after sending off her students on graduation day, is suddenly pushed from the upper floor by someone.
Before falling, she faintly sees that the culprit is one of her own students. “I don’t want to die!” she screams in her heart—and miraculously wakes up on the first day of school, given a chance to relive her life.
In order to uncover the truth, Kujo must face 30 students, each one a potential suspect.
In this drama, Daiken Okudaira plays Hoshizaki Tooru, a student from Class 3-D. He is portrayed as someone arrogant, philosophical, and capable of seeing things from an extremely calm and objective point of view—creating a mysterious and unreadable presence.
Perhaps due to his debut in the film Mother, Daiken is often cast as a genius teenager with a cold and distant character.
4. Insomniacs After School
Insomniacs After School is adapted from a manga of the same name. The story centers on Ganta Nakami (played by Daiken Okudaira), a high school student suffering from insomnia.
One day, he discovers his classmate, Isaki Magari (played by Nana Mori), asleep in the school’s observatory.
They soon realize they both struggle with sleep disorders. However, once their unauthorized use of the observatory is discovered, they must find a way to keep their secret hideout from being taken away.
Together, they try to revive the nearly defunct astronomy club in order to gain official permission to use the observatory.
5. Honeko Akabane’s Bodyguards
This drama follows a high school girl, Honeko Akabane (played by Natsuki Deguchi), who suddenly becomes the target of an assassination bounty worth 100 billion yen, attracting countless hitmen trying to take her life.
Her childhood friend, a delinquent student named Ibuki Arakuni (played by Raul), is assigned to be her bodyguard without revealing to her that she’s in danger.
The biggest twist? Every student in their class, “Class 3-4,” turns out to be Honeko’s bodyguard!
In this drama, Daiken Okudaira plays Sumihiko Somejima, known as the “strongest commander” in the class, who is responsible for devising strategies to protect Honeko.
6. Cloud
Cloud tells the story of Yoshii Ryosuke (played by Suda Masaki), a hardworking man who chooses a profession despised by society—that of a reseller.
Unknowingly, the seeds of hatred he sows begin to grow, feeding off the darkness of the online world and spiraling into uncontrollable mass hysteria.
Eventually, Yoshii becomes the target of a collective “hunt,” leading his life to collapse rapidly.
In the film, Daiken Okudaira plays Sano, a part-time worker hired by Yoshii, with both characters involved in several key scenes together.
7. Mikami Sensei
This drama tells the story of Mikami Takashi (played by Tori Matsuzaka), an elite bureaucrat and graduate of the University of Tokyo who works at the Ministry of Education. Through a new placement system, he is assigned as the homeroom teacher of class 3-2 at Rintoku Private High School.
He stands before the class as a teacher, guiding 18-year-old high school students in the Reiwa era to have the courage to challenge injustice and authority, and to strive to write a new chapter in the world of education.
In this drama, Daiken Okudaira plays Kanzaki Takuto, a high school student who aspires to become a journalist. He even dares to expose a teacher’s affair scandal, which eventually leads to the teacher’s dismissal.
Daiken Okudaira brings great depth to his portrayal of this justice-driven and high-achieving teen.
Kanzaki, who usually struggles to express his emotions, actually harbors both admiration and resentment toward his father, who is also a journalist—creating a complex emotional conflict within him.
As a figure who often dominates the classroom atmosphere, Kanzaki begins to change after meeting Teacher Mikami. Due to their similar personalities and character, the two are able to understand each other’s pain.
High Hopes for Daiken Okudaira’s Growth and Transformation
Since his debut, the characters played by Daiken Okudaira often share common traits: prematurely mature, quiet, and somewhat dark teenagers.
Even so, he has occasionally taken on more varied roles — especially when he appeared with an eye-catching blonde hairstyle.
With strong support from his agency and having won the Best New Actor award at the 44th Japan Academy Awards in 2020, Daiken’s future looks very bright. We can definitely look forward to his continued growth and transformation!
High Hopes for Daiken Okudaira’s Growth and Transformation
Since his debut, the characters played by Daiken Okudaira often share common traits: prematurely mature, quiet, and somewhat dark teenagers.
Even so, he has occasionally taken on more varied roles — especially when he appeared with an eye-catching blonde hairstyle.
With strong support from his agency and having won the Best New Actor award at the 44th Japan Academy Awards in 2020, Daiken’s future looks very bright. We can definitely look forward to his continued growth and transformation!
