1.
leading male role; male protagonist in traditional theater
The principal male role in kabuki and other traditional Japanese performing arts. The term specifically refers to serious, dignified male characters, as distinct from comic or villainous roles.
彼は歌舞伎の立役として人気がある。
He is popular as a leading male actor in kabuki.
今回の公演で立役を務めるのは若手の俳優だ。
A young actor will play the leading male role in this performance.
名門の家に生まれた彼は、幼い頃から立役の稽古を積��、今では一座を代表する役者になった。
Born into a prestigious family, he trained in leading male roles from a young age and has now become the troupe's representative actor.
2.
key player; central figure; leading role (figurative)
By extension, a person who plays the most important or central part in an event, project, or achievement.
このプロジェクトの立役は田中さんだ。
Tanaka is the key player in this project.
交渉の立役を務めた。
Played the leading role in the negotiations.
地域復興の立役者として表彰された。
Was honored as a key figure in the regional revitalization.
Originally a kabuki term referring to the dignified male protagonist, in contrast to roles like 敵役 (villain) or 道化役 (comic role). The figurative sense is now more commonly encountered in everyday Japanese.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 立役を務める: serve as the leading role / key player
- 立役者: the central figure; the person behind a success (the most common modern form)
- 立役俳優: leading male actor
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 主役: leading role; protagonist (general, not limited to male roles or kabuki)
- 女形: female roles performed by male actors in kabuki
- 敵役: villain role; antagonist (in kabuki and theater)
USAGE:
In modern Japanese, 立役者 is far more common than 立役 alone. The form 立役者 means the person who made something happen, and is widely used in news, business, and sports contexts.