JAPAN: The Indian Express reported that Mizuki Itagaki, a well-known Japanese actor and a former member of the boy band M!LK, has passed away in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old had been reported missing since January 2025. His family shared the heartbreaking news of his death in a post on social media on April 17. The young star was very successful in his career, starring in films such as The Fool’s Kiss and Fake Motion.
Unfortunately, Mizuki had been reported struggling mentally before his death. In their statement, his family expressed their deep sorrow, saying Mizuki had passed away because of an unexpected and unfortunate event. They also wanted everyone to know how thankful they are to all his fans and everyone he had worked with.
Struggling with health issues
Since last year, Mizuki had been dealing with health issues. While the exact cause of his death hasn’t been shared publicly yet, his family mentioned that the police had started a search and then contacted them from Tokyo about a body found.
His family apologised for not being able to share this difficult news sooner with everyone who had been worried about him.
They added that Mizuki always put his heart into his acting, hoping to bring smiles and happiness to all who watched him. The actor had just begun to take steps to go back to work, so it was heartbreaking that his life ended like this, which he probably did not expect. The family ended their statement by expressing regret that they couldn’t give his fans a proper chance to say goodbye.
Warmth in their hearts
The family also hoped that fans would keep Mizuki’s memory alive by warmly remembering his work.
It’s also important to remember that just last year, Mizuki had moved on from his agency, Stardust Promotion, and closed down all of his official fan clubs.
Ever since the news broke, fans have been sharing heartfelt tributes for Mizuki. Many described him as someone who brought so much joy into their lives through his performances and his down-to-earth personality.
Talented as an actor
A fan emphasised that Mizuki wasn’t just a kind person but also an incredibly talented actor. The fan wished that the world had shown Mizuki more kindness. Another person expressed the hope that Mizuki has now found peace. In addition, the fan thanked the star for everything he gave, even when it was tough. Over on X (formerly Twitter), one user who described Mizuki as many “j-movie enthusiasts’ first love” simply wished him peace.
It seems his vibrant personality left a lasting impression; as someone else mentioned, he’ll always be remembered with love and peace. Another user shared their feelings of shock and devastation upon hearing the news. Sadly, it’s come to light that the actor had been struggling with mental health issues and was hospitalised last year. For months, he was not active online. It’s clear from all the heartfelt messages that Mizuki will be deeply missed and forever loved by so many.
Spotted at a young age
Mizuki was born in Tokyo in 2000. Multitalented, he acted, sang, and even did some modelling. It’s quite a story how he got his start—he was only 10 years old when someone from Stardust Promotion saw potential in him while he was on his way home from shopping with his mom and signed him up.
In a music video for the band Fujifabric, Mizuki made his debut in the music industry. In 2014, he made his acting debut in the movie Dark Gold Ushima-kun Part 2 and also joined the J-pop group M!LK. His acting talent was recognised with a Best Actor award from critics. He went on to star in a number of popular shows, including Black Cinderella, In-house Marriage Honey, FAKE MOTION – Just One Wish, Old Rookie, Hiru Season 3, and Super Rich, among others.
