Arata Mackenyu, the rising star of Japan’s “national treasure” category, is known as the son of actor Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba, one of the biggest icons of Japanese cinema, famous for his martial arts films and exceptional skills in various fields.
The talent in acting and martial arts has been passed down to his children, including Manase Juri (49), Arata Mackenyu (27), and Maeda Gordon (24), all of whom are actors.
The Talented Actor Dominating Japanese Showbiz
Born in Los Angeles, USA, Arata Mackenyu grew up following in his father’s footsteps, becoming an action actor and training in karate from a young age, winning championships in several local competitions.
The fame of his father, the legendary martial artist Sonny Chiba, serves as a significant foundation for Mackenyu. Chiba’s career spanned from the 1960s to 2010, featuring numerous iconic Japanese films and notable appearances in Hollywood productions such as Kill Bill and The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift. In Vietnam, he is well-remembered for his role as Hung Ba, a notorious character in the film Phong Van – Hung Ba Thien Ha.
Film producer Ken Terawaki once shared that Sonny Chiba wanted Arata Mackenyu to pursue an action film career from when he was still in middle school. Mackenyu spent his early years in California before moving back to Japan with his family.
At the age of 20, Arata Mackenyu returned to Japan to seek opportunities. To avoid being overshadowed by his father’s fame, he adopted the stage name Arata.
He began his acting career in 2014 with a leading role in Kamen Rider Drive: Future Future, based on the popular Japanese superhero franchise Kamen Rider. His performance garnered attention, marking the beginning of his acting journey.
In 2017, he received significant acclaim for his performance and won the Japan Academy Award for Best New Actor for his role in Chihayafuru. He went on to participate in the sequels Chihayafuru: Shimo no Ku (Chihayafuru Part 2) and Chihayafuru: Musubi (Chihayafuru Part 3), becoming a rising star in the Japanese film industry.
However, the Japanese film industry at this time is facing challenges due to the popularity of manga and light novel adaptations.
Despite not finding the right opportunity to showcase his talents in the action genre, Mackenyu has been actively involved in various projects, including Peach Girl (2017), Todome no Kiss (2018), and Doki no Sakura (2019), as well as films like Code Blue: The Movie and Sakurasaku.
After becoming a sought-after star in the 90s, Mackenyu hopes to further broaden his horizons in Hollywood. His ability to speak fluent English and martial arts skills make him more accessible to the international film industry, attracting attention both in Japan and abroad.
With the recent release of the live-action adaptation of One Piece, Mackenyu’s role as Roronoa Zoro has garnered global attention, receiving praise for both his appearance and acting skills, especially as it is a transition from anime to live-action.
Information regarding Mackenyu’s status in Japan has been searched extensively on social media, generating millions of interactions. After the success of One Piece, he has become a notable figure in the Hollywood spotlight.
The Legacy of Sonny Chiba Continues
In the public eye, Mackenyu’s most significant impact is the news that he has a child with a woman over 16 years his junior when he was just 14.
According to Tokyo Reporter, the incident took place in Los Angeles in October 2013, when Sonny Chiba was with this woman because they had a romantic relationship. Given that the legal age in the U.S. is 18, he would have been subject to scrutiny for about 8 years. After a certain period of investigation at the courthouse outside Los Angeles, the case was dismissed in December after Mackenyu was reported to have been involved.
From Yukan Fuji, related to Mackenyu’s management company regarding the accuracy of the information, the agency representing the actor stated: “Although there were significant inaccuracies regarding the facts, we will refrain from commenting on the situation.”
So far, Mackenyu has not publicly acknowledged the incident. Information leaked from several Japanese news outlets has raised suspicions regarding the truth of this matter.
Controversies also arose in 2022 when Mackenyu was associated with YouTuber Higashiya Yoshikazu, who was linked to multiple scandals, including allegations of inappropriate relationships with minors.
Following this, Mackenyu’s management publicly stated that they firmly rejected Higashiya’s claims, stating that there were serious inaccuracies, and they would undertake legal action to protect their client’s career.
According to acquaintances of Mackenyu, he has known this YouTuber since 2017. It is reported that he lent this individual 60 million Yen (approximately $410,000). However, Higashiya defaulted on the loan and tried to avoid the actor despite having previously been in close contact. Eventually, the YouTuber was arrested for defamation, spreading false information and slandering many public figures.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mackenyu faced public scrutiny when he was spotted vacationing in Okinawa with his girlfriend Okamoto Natsuki. This incident caused a dip in public perception and forced him to publicly apologize. Since then, Mackenyu has been more reserved in public appearances, focusing on developing his international career.
Despite facing challenges, this situation has not negatively impacted Mackenyu’s career trajectory. He remains a favorite among Japanese audiences, consistently ranking high in popularity polls and recognized as a “national treasure of beauty” among the youth.
Mackenyu’s Relationship with Natsuki Okamoto
In early 2023, both sons of Sonny Chiba made headlines by announcing their marriage simultaneously, coinciding with their father’s birthday, who passed away due to COVID-19.
The relationship between Mackenyu and Natsuki Okamoto has garnered significant media attention. According to reports from Josei Seven, the couple first met in 2017. At that time, Natsuki was pregnant and is a well-known stylist. They met while working for a fashion brand. She was the one who helped him build his image and has been a significant influence on his career. After their marriage, they have continued to support each other professionally.
Notably, there have been rumors linking Mackenyu to Natsuki Okamoto, born in 1989, who is seven years older than him. She is a former actress who started modeling at 13, appeared in various films and dramas, before stepping back from the entertainment industry in 2012.
A close acquaintance of Chiba shared that during his lifetime, Mr. Chiba was very fond of his sons’ partners, saying, “He hoped for the marriage of his sons, more than anything else. Chiba was always happy to meet his grandchildren.”
Like many Japanese stars, Mackenyu is very private regarding his personal life and rarely mentions relationships. However, information from Japanese media has speculated about Natsuki Okamoto being Mackenyu’s partner, but neither has officially confirmed their marital status or relationship publicly.
In a recent interview, he mentioned a change in lifestyle, expressing a desire to cut back on gaming time as he did not want to be seen as a “gaming addict.” Regarding his partner, he shared, “I have never seen anyone who is as lovely and beautiful as her. From the moment we met, I wanted to marry her.”
Post Seven reported that Mackenyu’s wedding took place in August in Hawaii, where his father, Sonny Chiba, was affectionately referred to as “the second home” and cherished many family memories.
“The couple chose Hawaii for their wedding to celebrate. Here, the Japanese people are very welcoming. When Chiba was alive, he often stayed here for two to three months before starting a film project. He said this helped ease his mind and body. The climate and environment here are the best medicine,” the source revealed.
