Issei Mamehara

Issei Mamehara is a Japanese singer and actor, best known as the center and main dancer of the 11-member boy band JO1. He rose to fame after winning first place on the first season of Produce 101 Japan in 2019, receiving over one million votes. Since JO1's debut in March 2020, the group has released multiple chart-topping albums and sold out dome tours across Japan. Mamehara has also built a solo acting career, notably playing Kamen Rider Chimera in the Kamen Rider Revice franchise. Fans adore his bright, energetic personality and powerful dance moves, which have made him a standout in the J-pop scene. As of 2026, he continues to perform with JO1 during their 7th anniversary activities and pursue acting roles. [edit]

Issei Mamehara grew up in Maniwa, a rural city in Okayama Prefecture. He was an active child who played baseball, swam, and even competed in sumo tournaments during elementary school. His interest in dance sparked when he watched his older sister's dance classes; he later became a fan of the group GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE after seeing them on TV. In his second year of junior high, he enrolled in a dance school specializing in 1990s hip-hop. By his first year of high school, he was already teaching children at the same school as a dance instructor. He worked part-time at a sushi restaurant, where he learned the value of smiling at customers, a habit he carried to the stage. He initially attended a regular high school but transferred to a correspondence school after starting his entertainment career, graduating in March 2021. [edit]

Mamehara's breakthrough came in 2019 when he auditioned for Produce 101 Japan. His sharp dance skills and bright smile earned him the top spot in the finale, making him the center of the debut group JO1. The group released their debut EP Protostar on March 4, 2020, and quickly gained a massive following. Mamehara made his acting debut in 2021 with the drama Short Program and landed the role of Nozomu Otani / Kamen Rider Chimera in the Kamen Rider Revice film Battle Familia (2022). JO1 held their first dome tour in 2022, and their single 'Tiger' became a million-stream hit in 2023. In 2025, Mamehara launched a personal Instagram account and filmed a new drama role. As of 2026, JO1 is celebrating their 7th anniversary with ongoing activities, and Mamehara continues voice work for the Kamen Rider franchise. [edit]

Issei Mamehara is widely seen as the 'sunshine' member of JO1, known for his energetic, slightly clumsy, and endearingly cheerful demeanor. His signature style blends street dance fashion with high-end designer pieces, often featuring bold sneakers. Media and fans highlight his powerful dance skills, rapid vocal improvement, and signature 'aegyo' expressions. JO1's official fandom name is 'JO1ers,' and fans celebrate 'Mame Day' every 5th and 30th of the month. On social media, his voice is playful and emoji-heavy, frequently interacting directly with fans. He maintains a wholesome image aligned with Japanese idol culture. [edit]

Issei Mamehara is currently evaluated by the iFANN Global Fame Engine but does not hold a placement in the published rankings. While he commands a massive following as the center of JO1, the system registers his current standing as unranked within the top 1,000 global scope for this evaluation period. His influence remains deeply rooted in the Japanese idol sphere and specific international markets rather than a broad global numerical tier. The collective support behind him is channeled through the official group fandom known as "JO1 CHUM," or simply "Chum." Within this large organization, fans affectionately refer to him by his character nickname, "MAMEchi," creating a distinct sub-identity within the larger community. This fanbase demonstrated formidable organizational power during his pre-debut phase on Produce 101 Japan, where they drove his victory to the number one spot out of 96 contestants. Their mobilization established him as the leader of the debut lineup, a status that required intense voting campaigns and sustained engagement. Today, the Chum remain active in promoting JO1's global reach, including recent high-profile expansions into India where fans facilitated meetings with cultural icons. Although no specific, isolated campaigns solely dedicated to Mamehara are documented distinct from general group activities, his personal projects like the show PRODUCED by MAMEHARA ISSEI serve as direct platforms for interaction. Fans have also shown significant anticipation for his acting milestones, such as his casting in the live-action adaptation of Bad Boys, proving their dedication extends well beyond music charts.[edit]

Known affectionately as 'Mame,' a name meaning 'bean' in Japanese, Issei Mamehara maintains an impressive collection of over 80 pairs of sneakers, often mixing streetwear with high-end designer pieces. His skillset is remarkably diverse, ranging from 1990s hip-hop dance and baseball to swimming and doing Kamen Rider impressions. He once humorously noted that if he made the top 11 on Produce 101 Japan, he would undergo waterfall training for spiritual cleansing, a promise fans still recall fondly. A self-proclaimed Mercari enthusiast, he loves browsing the secondhand marketplace for unique clothing finds and spends his free time creating TikToks. Beyond his hobbies, he cites Alan Shirahama as his favorite member of GENERATIONS. Among his most legendary moments is his elimination-free run to the top of Produce 101 Japan, securing the number one spot and cementing his status as the group's leader. Another defining story involves his casting as the lead in the live-action film Bad Boys, scheduled to release on his birthday, May 30, 2025, a detail fans celebrate as a symbolic career milestone. His journey also includes a memorable cultural exchange visit to India, where he and fellow member Shosei Ohira met music legend A.R. Rahman, sharing lighthearted moments about Salman Khan dance moves that became part of the group's international lore.[edit]

Issei Mamehara has one older sister. He grew up in Maniwa, Okayama, with his parents and sister. His mother's pork soup is one of his favorite comfort foods. He has not publicly shared his parents' names or occupations. As of 2026, he lives in Japan and has not disclosed any pets. [edit]

Issei Mamehara is a member of JO1 alongside ten other members: Ren, Ruki, Keigo, Shion, Shosei, Syoya, Sukai, Takumi, Junki, and Sho. He cites Alan Shirahama of GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE as his favorite artist and inspiration. He frequently performs alongside fellow JO1 member Junki Kono. [edit]

As of 2026, Issei Mamehara has no publicly confirmed romantic relationships. He has maintained a private personal life throughout his career, and no credible Japanese media outlets have reported any dating scandals, engagements, or marriages. His agency, Lapone Entertainment, enforces strict privacy around members' personal lives. He is currently reported as single. [edit]

Updated for 2026, iFANN currently estimates Issei Mamehara's net worth at $500 Thousand. His primary income streams originate from his extensive activities with the boy band JO1, encompassing album sales, concert tours, and merchandise revenue. The group's dome tours and multiple chart-topping album releases generate substantial earnings, which are distributed among the eleven members. In addition to his musical endeavors, Mamehara earns significant fees from his acting roles, including his portrayal of Kamen Rider Chimera in the Kamen Rider Revice franchise and his starring role in Kamen Rider Revice: Battle Familia. His solo photobook released in 2022 further contributed to his financial portfolio. Endorsement deals secured as part of the group's collective partnerships add another layer of income. Exact figures remain private, as Japanese idol agencies typically manage individual salaries confidentially without public disclosure.[edit]