Takada Sho is...

I've been thinking about this for some time.  Of all of the juniors, of all of the characters at Johnny's jimusho, why Takada Sho?  He's not the best singer, he's not funny, he really isn't the best dancer, his charisma comes and goes, he's more of an observer than a doer--what is it about him that I find so charming?

Maybe a list will help.
 

1. Battery: his smile.  That crooked tooth creating his signature smile.  His eyes wrinkle up and all you see is teeth and joy.  Even if it was just acting, I love how he showed such a dynamic character that made up for the blandness of Yuma's character.  I was surprised he was a Johnny's.  His look was just so clean cut.

2. The Battery making.  Sho really is a good sport.  Even though he was so nervous, he went head on into the first day of shooting, not minding that his first scene meant being dumped from head to toe in flour.  When he spoke about his feelings about the drama, I could see his earnestness.  He had thought hard about how to answer each question appropriately and with his best effort.  It showed how grounded he was as a human being, even at just fourteen. 

3. He can talk to anyone.  From all of the interviews I've read, it seems that Sho is a people person.  Although on screen he seems reserved, when in his element off screen, he's just a very easy guy to talk to.

4. His awkwardness.  I find it crazy to see young entertainers on screen with no sense of awkwardness.  As if they simply skipped that stage.  Like Morimoto Shintaro.  I find Shintaro adorable too but to me, Sho's awkwardness resonates with me.  He's still finding himself, still struggling with what he could improve on and it shows.

5. Hyakushiki.  I love how much of a fail he is. 

6. Shokura and School Kakumei: he's barely there but he does so many dance numbers, along with Takayoshi Kishi and Masuda Ryo and Ookawa Keigo and Nakada Hiroki, that I can only imagine the hours they pump in to do every routine.

7. His eyes.  When they pop out in shock, when they look angry, when they scrunch up from laughing so hard.  I can tell he lives life to the fullest, letting the natural reactions come.

8. Because he's Sho.  There is no other like him.  Although I find it difficult to imagine him debuting in a group with a CD simply because I've never really heard his voice (for a reason, I presume), I'd like to think that he'll walk a similar path as Ikuta Toma.  Keijiro Engawa 3, Battery, Hontou ni Atta Kowai Hanashi, Team Batista SP--I feel like that he's getting his feet wet as well as learning much about the filming and acting world.

I'm really grateful to Johnny's for giving Sho a chance to shine as an actor.  I can tell he loves it and wants to understand it more deeply.  I'm hoping for the day when he can find a wow character. 

9. He's just a sweet guy. 

10. If his baby pictures are any indication, he'll have beautiful babies.