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Oda Shosei, the youngest bright spark from Shonen Ninja, has officially decided to step away from the limelight. STARTO Entertainment broke the news on 16 April, revealing that Shosei will be leaving the company on 30 April 2025.
Bit of a shock, innit? But also, kind of admirable.
The lad's made it clear – he wants to focus on his studies.
According to STARTO’s official statement, Shosei himself approached staff for a serious chat about his future and expressed a strong wish to continue his education and expand his horizons.
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| STARTO's Statement |
The agency took the time to talk it through with him and, in the end, they respected his decision to walk a different path.
For fans, this feels bittersweet.
We’ve seen Shosei shine since he joined in June 2018 – a Tokyo-born lad who was inspired by V6’s Okada Junichi’s acting back when he was just a fourth-year primary school student.
He passed his audition, joined Johnny’s Jr., and soon became the cheeky youngest member of Shonen Ninja. And let’s not forget, the guy’s been learning acrobatics since Year 1. Makes sense – those ninja flips didn’t come from nowhere.
Aside from being part of the group, he’s had quite the run on screen too. You might’ve caught him in dramas like Boku wa Doko Kara and Bungou Shounen. Or maybe you saw him in stage plays like Johnny’s Densetsu or films like Shounentachi and Takizawa Kabuki ZERO.
For someone just 18, he’s got a packed CV. But now, he wants to swap scripts for textbooks – fair play.
Fans have always loved his quirky charm – from his fluffy eyebrows (yep, they’re his charm point!) to his obsession with prawns, gaming, and napping. Standing at 168cm with blood type O, he’s more than just a pretty face.
His exit marks the end of an era for Shonen Ninja, but it’s also the beginning of something new for Shosei. He’s not disappearing – just switching gears.
STARTO Entertainment wrapped up the announcement by thanking fans and everyone who supported Shosei through his journey and asked us all to keep cheering him on as he heads into this next chapter.
So here’s to Oda Shosei – from stages to study halls, we’re rooting for you!