Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2010

If any actor deserves the title of “the Japanese Johnny Depp,” it’s Joe Odagiri. Like his American counterpart, the 31-year-old heartthrob got his start performing in children’s fare (Kamen Rider) before going on to star in both mass-market (Tokyo Tower) and independent (Yureru) films. During a recent appearance as “image character” for a new luxury apartment complex called Brillia Ariake Sky Tower, Odagiri gave the press the inside scoop on his personal life, insisting that he’s pretty much a wallflower. “It’s like I live in a house without a front door. I watch television, I lie around, and I drink a lot.” The actor is so fond of being at home, he says, that on a recent trip to Brazil, he searched for a do-it-yourself furniture store to make his pad more comfy. Though the search ended in vain, Odagiri developed a fondness for Ikea. “I love that shop. The products they sell are so reasonably priced and kawaii. I’m currently jobless, so it would be amazing to be in their commercial if they ever had one. In the meantime, though, my schedule is wide open for a booze gig too!”