Pistol Takehara
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Pistol Takehara

Takehara Pistol (竹原ピストル), whose real name is Kazuo Takehara, is a multifaceted Japanese singer-songwriter and actor born in 1976. A former college boxing club captain who twice placed in the All‑Japan Championships, he transitioned from amateur sports to music by forming the band Noko Zen in 1999, eventually making his major label debut in 2003 . Following the band's disbandment in 2009, he embarked on a solo career, releasing memorable albums like BEST BOUT, youth, PEACE OUT, and GOOD LUCK TRACK, and performing nationwide—culminating in a sold‑out show at Nippon Budokan and a 2017 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen appearance. In recent years, Takehara has continued releasing music prolifically—issuing mini‑albums, singles, and live records, including his 2025 original album Swarm!!, followed by an extensive acoustic tour. Diversifying into acting, he's earned critical acclaim for performances in films such as Youth ☆ Metal Bat, The Long Excuse (which garnered awards), and upcoming titles like Sunset Sunrise, First Kiss, and Bad Summer. He also appears in TV projects, notably playing "Biwamaru" in the 2024 Black Jack drama, for which he contributed the theme song “Ichiyo”.

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