If you only know Sho Aoyagi as the hulking, bruised Aguni from Alice in Borderland, you are honestly missing out on about 90% of what makes him interesting. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of J-Drama actors who all look like they walked off a boy band poster, but Aoyagi is different. He’s got this gritty, lived-in quality. Maybe it’s because he didn’t start out as the "chosen one" in the industry.
Most people don’t realize he actually failed his first big break. Back in 2006, he tried out for the EXILE Vocal Battle Audition. He didn't win. He didn't even make the final cut. Instead of disappearing, he pivoted to acting, joined Gekidan EXILE in 2009, and basically built a career out of being the guy who can play both a terrifying yakuza and a heartbroken salaryman without breaking a sweat.
The Roles That Defined the Sho Aoyagi Movies and TV Shows Catalog
You can't talk about his filmography without mentioning the HiGH & LOW franchise. In that chaotic, leather-jacket-filled universe, he plays Tsukumo. He’s the right-hand man to Kohaku, and he plays it with a kind of weary loyalty that grounds all the over-the-top bike stunts and explosions. It’s a massive series, spanning multiple movies like HiGH & LOW The Movie (2016) and Final Mission (2017), and it solidified him as a staple in Japanese action cinema.
But then, look at Mr. Long (2017). This is a weird, beautiful movie directed by SABU. Aoyagi plays Kenji, and the film is this strange mix of hitman thriller and culinary drama. It’s the kind of project that shows he isn’t just looking for blockbusters; he’s looking for stories.
💡 You might also like: Charlize Theron Sweet November: Why This Panned Rom-Com Became a Cult Favorite
Horror and Thrillers: The Dark Side
If you're a horror fan, you’ve probably spotted him in Ju-On: The Beginning of the End (2014). He plays Naoto, and while the movie follows the classic "curse" tropes, Aoyagi brings a genuine sense of dread to his scenes. He’s also great in Watashi no Otto wa Reitouko ni Nemutte Iru (My Husband is Sleeping in the Freezer). The title is literal. It’s a dark, psychological trip from 2021 where he plays a man who... well, the title says it all. It’s a must-watch if you like your J-Dramas with a side of "what did I just see?"
That Physical Transformation for Alice in Borderland
Let’s be real: Aguni is the role that went global. To play the Militiaman leader, Aoyagi reportedly put on about 20kg of muscle and shaved his head. That’s commitment. He went from being a relatively slender, handsome leading man to looking like someone who could crush a skull with his bare hands.
The nuance he brought to Aguni in Season 2 was actually impressive. He wasn't just a "boss" character; he played the guilt of his past with a lot of silence. He says more with a glare than most actors do with a three-page monologue.
📖 Related: Charlie Charlie Are You Here: Why the Viral Demon Myth Still Creeps Us Out
What’s New? Sho Aoyagi in 2025 and 2026
If you think he’s slowing down, you’re wrong. 2025 has been a massive year for him with the Sefure no Pride (Sex Friend's Pride) films—Doukoku and Shuuren. These are based on Minato Yoriko’s manga, and they’re much more mature, adult-oriented dramas than his usual action fare. He plays Kazuki Kitada, and it’s a total 180 from his action roles.
The biggest thing on the horizon right now is THE SPECIALS, set for release on March 6, 2026.
This sounds wild. It’s directed by Eiji Uchida and stars Aoyagi alongside Daisuke Sakuma (from Snow Man) and Yuta Nakamoto (from NCT). He plays a killer named Shin who is—get this—entering a dance contest. Aoyagi actually joked in a recent interview that despite being in Gekidan EXILE, he told the director, "I can't dance." He had to go through intensive dance training for the role. Seeing a guy known for playing tough killers doing a choreographed dance routine is going to be something else.
👉 See also: Cast of Troubled Youth Television Show: Where They Are in 2026
Why he keeps winning
- Range: He moves between indie films like Tatara Samurai and massive Netflix hits.
- Physicality: He does a lot of his own presence-work, changing his walk and weight for roles.
- The "Everyman" Edge: Even when he's a killer, he feels human.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for New Fans
If you're just starting out and want to see the best of Sho Aoyagi movies and tv shows, here is a non-standard way to binge his work:
- For the Action Junkie: Start with HiGH & LOW (the first movie). It’s pure adrenaline.
- For the "Prestige" Viewer: Watch Mr. Long. It went to the Berlin International Film Festival for a reason.
- For the Thrill Seeker: The Blood of Wolves Level 2 (2021). He plays Kenichi Kanbara, and the movie is a gritty masterpiece of modern noir.
- For the Bizarre: Yakuza Apocalypse (2015). It’s directed by Takashi Miike. There are vampire yakuza. It’s insane.
Aoyagi is one of those actors who doesn't need to be the lead to own the screen. He’s a "scene-stealer." Whether he's playing a hot-tempered freelancer in THE SPECIALS or a grieving fighter in Alice in Borderland, he’s always doing something unexpected. Honestly, that’s why he’s still relevant nearly 20 years after he "failed" that first audition.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye out for the international festival run of THE SPECIALS in early 2026. It's already slated for the 46th Porto International Film Festival (Fantasporto). If you haven't seen his work yet, jump on Netflix and start with Alice in Borderland to see the physical peak of his career before catching up on his more dramatic turns in The Blood of Wolves.