If you’ve spent any time on the J-pop side of the internet, you know Raul. Or, more formally, Murakami Maito Raul. He’s the towering, 6'3" center of the powerhouse group Snow Man, and honestly, he’s kind of a freak of nature in the best way possible. While most people recognize him for his high-fashion runway walks in Paris or his jaw-dropping dance moves, his filmography is where things get really interesting.
The transition from "idol who acts" to "legitimate actor" is a path paved with skepticism. Yet, looking at the trajectory of Murakami Maito Raul movies and TV shows, it’s clear he isn't just taking roles to fill a schedule. He’s choosing projects that play with his unique, almost ethereal physicality and his surprisingly grounded emotional range.
From Teen Romance to High-Stakes Action
Most fans really started paying attention when Raul landed the lead in the 2021 live-action adaptation of Honey Lemon Soda. He played Kai Miura, a boy with lemon-yellow hair who is basically the embodiment of "cool and aloof." It was a classic shoujo setup, but Raul brought a certain softness to it that saved the character from being a total trope.
Then things took a sharp turn toward the weird.
In 2022, he joined the rest of Snow Man for the live-action Osomatsu-san movie. If you haven't seen it, basically imagine the most chaotic anime brought to life. Raul played Todomatsu, the youngest of the sextuplets. It was a massive departure from his "cool guy" image—lots of screaming, over-the-top facial expressions, and genuine comedic timing. It proved he wasn't afraid to look ridiculous for a role.
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The Big Shift: Akabane Honeko no Guard
The real game-changer, though, was the 2024 film Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards (Akabane Honeko no Guard). This is where the keyword—Murakami Maito Raul movies and TV shows—starts to carry some serious weight in the action genre. Raul plays Ibuki Arakuni, a high schooler tasked with protecting his childhood friend from a massive bounty.
What’s cool about this role is how it utilizes his height and reach. He’s not just "the tall guy" in the background anymore; he’s a legitimate action lead. The film premiered internationally at festivals like Fantasia 2025, and critics actually praised his "straight man" quality amidst the absolute madness of the plot. He has this way of anchoring the scene so that when things go off the rails, the audience still has someone to root for.
His TV Breakthrough: Learning to Love
While movies get the big posters, TV shows are where actors really find their rhythm. In 2025, Raul starred in the drama Learning to Love (often discussed in J-drama circles as a sleeper hit).
He played Takamori Taiga (who also goes by the host name "Kaoru"). It’s a complex role. He’s a host at a club called Joker, and the story dives deep into the emotional labor of that industry. People on Reddit and J-drama forums have been raving about his "method" approach here. He doesn't just say the lines; he uses his whole body to convey confusion and longing. It's a much more mature performance than his earlier work in shows like Kantan na Oshigoto desu. Ni obo Shite Mita (2019).
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What Makes Raul's Career Different?
A lot of idols get stuck in a loop of playing "the handsome student" until they’re 30. Raul seems to be actively avoiding that.
- Physicality: Because he’s so tall and has a background in professional dance (he worked with Rie Hata before joining Johnny & Associates), his action scenes feel more like a "ballet of fists" than a standard brawl.
- Global Appeal: Being half-Venezuelan and half-Japanese gives him a look that stands out in the domestic Japanese market, but also makes him incredibly marketable abroad.
- Balance: He’s successfully balancing a contract with Bananas Models in Paris while still filming lead roles in Japan. Most people would crumble under that schedule.
Honestly, the biggest misconception is that he's just a "face." If you actually watch the progression from Honey Lemon Soda to Honeko Akabane, the growth in his line delivery is night and day. He used to be a bit stiff—which is normal for a teenager—but now he has this presence that demands you look at him.
Mapping Out the Murakami Maito Raul Filmography
If you're trying to binge his work, don't just watch things in chronological order. Start with the heavy hitters to see what he’s actually capable of as an actor.
The Essential Watchlist
- Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards (2024) - Best for action and seeing him lead a big-budget production.
- Learning to Love (2025) - The best showcase of his emotional acting and character depth.
- Osomatsu-san (2022) - Pure, unadulterated chaos. Watch this if you want to see him break his "idol" shell.
- Honey Lemon Soda (2021) - The "classic" idol movie. It’s sweet, simple, and a great look at his early career.
- Kantan na Oshigoto desu. Ni obo Shite Mita (2019) - A fun, quirky drama about four young men taking on "easy jobs" that turn out to be terrifying.
What’s Next for Raul?
The industry buzz is that he’s looking toward more international collaborations. Given his signing with a Paris modeling agency and his performance in Learning to Love, it wouldn't be surprising to see him in a Netflix original or a co-production soon. He has the "it" factor that transcends language barriers.
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If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on his official Instagram (@raul_official_sn). He’s been much more vocal there about his creative process lately. Whether he's on a runway or a film set, he's clearly done playing the "cute youngest member" and is ready to be taken seriously.
Actionable Next Steps
To truly appreciate his work, don't just stick to the movies.
- Watch his dance practice videos: Specifically "Movin' Up." It helps you understand how he uses his body in action scenes.
- Check out the Fantasia International Film Festival archives: They have some great behind-the-scenes insights on the filming of Honeko Akabane.
- Look for "Learning to Love" on streaming platforms: It’s the definitive proof that he can handle complex, adult themes.
The evolution of Murakami Maito Raul movies and TV shows is one of the most interesting "glow-ups" in Japanese entertainment right now. He’s gone from a lanky kid in the back of a dance troupe to a dominant presence on the silver screen. If he keeps choosing roles that challenge his "pretty boy" image, he’s going to be a force in the industry for a long time.