Takahiro Moriuchi, professionally known as Taka, is the lead vocalist of the Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK. Born on April 17, 1988, in Tokyo, Japan, he is the eldest son of renowned Japanese singers Masako Mori and Shinichi Mori.

He has two younger brothers: Tomohiro, who works at TV Tokyo, and Hiroki Moriuchi, the lead singer of the band MY FIRST STORY. His sister-in-law is model and actress Maika Yamamoto.

Taka attended Keio Elementary School, graduating in March 2001, and continued his education at Keio Middle School. He briefly attended Keio High School before leaving in March 2005 to pursue a music career, a decision initially met with resistance from his parents. Following their divorce in April 2005, he changed his surname from Moriuchi - his father name (森内) to Morita - his mather name (森田). However, by 2012, he reverted to using Moriuchi, as evidenced by interviews and photographs where he and his bandmates displayed their real names.

Taka's musical journey began in 2001 when he joined Johnny's Entertainment at the age of 13, becoming part of Johnny's Junior. In September 2003, he was selected as a member of the idol group NEWS. November 7, he debuted with NEWS with the single NEWS Nippon, which included the theme song for the 2003 Volleyball World Cup. He departed the group and the agency in December of the same year.

In 2004, he briefly participated in the cover band Chivalry of Music.

In 2005, guitarist Toru Yamashita invited him to join ONE OK ROCK as the lead vocalist. The band released their first independent CD in 2006 and subsequently signed with Amuse, Inc., marking their major debut in 2007. Under Taka's leadership, ONE OK ROCK has toured extensively across Japan and internationally, including Asia, the U.S., Europe, and South America.

Taka's personality is described as ambitious, kind, honest, impatient, stubborn, and playful. He exhibits a passionate temperament and often engages in teasing his bandmates, particularly Tomoya. Despite his impulsive nature, he values genuine connections and considers his bandmates as family.

In Instagram Live session on July 2, 2024 Taka revealed his struggle with panic disorder, experiencing symptoms like palpitations, sweating, and anxiety. He shared this to raise awareness and encourage others facing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of understanding and support.

Taka's vocal prowess is defined by exceptional range, control, and emotional precision. His voice moves effortlessly from warm, baritone-shaded lows to bright, ringing tenor highs — combining clarity, grit, and expressive nuance with remarkable consistency. Possessing extraordinary breath control and endurance, he transitions seamlessly between clean sustained belts, airy falsettos, and textured rasp without losing tone stability or pitch accuracy.

On stage, he performs with the same precision and intensity as in the studio, maintaining perfect pitch even while delivering high-energy performances across massive arenas. His mastery of dynamics — from intimate whispers to explosive shouts that shake entire stadiums — showcases not only his technique but also his deep emotional intelligence as a performer.

Widely regarded by vocal professionals as one of the most technically complete frontmen of the modern era, Taka stands among a rare class of vocalists whose power, precision, and emotional authenticity continue to redefine the standard for live performance.

As ONE OK ROCK's primary lyricist and composer, Taka writes from a place of raw honesty and introspection. His lyrics bridge personal reflection with universal emotion, often exploring themes of identity, conflict, reconciliation, and hope. Even when writing in English — a language he learned primarily through music — he achieves remarkable fluency of feeling, proving that sincerity transcends linguistic barriers.

A standout example from early in his career is Nobody's Home from Niche Syndrome (2010), a song that expresses apology and gratitude toward his parents. Its emotional weight became legendary during the ONE OK ROCK 2013 "Jinsei x Kimi =" TOUR, when Taka performed it in front of his family at Yokohama Arena on May 26, 2013. That performance remains one of the most heartfelt moments in the band's live history (While the official live DVD was recorded the day prior, elements of Taka's heartfelt delivery in front of his parents were captured and can be heard in ONE OK ROCK 2013 "Jinsei x Kimi =" TOUR LIVE&FILM).

In contrast, the 2025 album DETOX signals an evolution in his songwriting — turning outward to confront societal and political themes. Tracks like Delusion:All or Puppets Can't Control You embody disillusionment with systemic injustice, capturing the frustration and confusion of modern life. It's a bold progression that demonstrates not only Taka's artistic maturity but also his commitment to using music as a means of reflection, empathy, and awareness.

Taka's clean, usable range spans roughly three octaves — from resonant lows around G♯2 to bright, sustained belts near G♯5. When including falsetto, head voice, controlled rasp, and high-intensity rock techniques, his full vocal range extends to approximately 4–4.5 octaves.

What sets him apart is not simply the range itself, but how he uses it — with precision, balance, and emotional intelligence. Over two decades, he has continually expanded his expressive palette and refined his technique, evolving from raw power to complete artistic control.

In earlier works like Kanjō Effect (2008), his natural tenor strength was already evident, delivering effortless upper-range passages with clarity and grit. By JINSEI x BOKU = (2013), he had developed a deeper lower register and greater emotional nuance, extending his range down to G♯2 in Nothing Helps. Later, on Ambitions (2017), e showcased remarkable endurance and control in anthemic performances such as We Are, hitting sustained G♯5 notes that exemplify his stamina and technical skill.

On DETOX (2025), this evolution continues. His delivery in Delusion:All is more refined and introspective — less about showing power, more about channeling emotion. Yet across the same album, tracks like C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y. and Party's Over reveal another side of his artistry — explosive, high-energy performances that push his upper range to the limit. In Party's Over, in particular, his rapid tonal shifts and intense vocal grit create a thrilling sense of urgency and release, showcasing both his technical mastery and emotional depth. It's the sound of an artist who has mastered not only his voice but also the meaning behind every word he sings.

Taka's live performances are where his artistry fully comes to life. He commands the stage with charisma and precision, combining vocal excellence with a rare ability to connect deeply with the audience. His stamina allows him to sustain explosive vocals even while moving energetically, and his emotional intensity often grows stronger as the concert unfolds.

A recent highlight is The Pilot </3, a song he describes as "just my personal life song" — not written for anyone specific, but one that lays bare his own experiences. Live, it becomes something transcendent. The extended outro — with added lines like "I'm going home" and "This is my home" — turns the song into a moment of catharsis.

During the ONE OK ROCK DETOX EUROPEAN TOUR 2025, the performance at France's Accor Arena stood out as one of the most moving moments in the band's history. Fans organized a breathtaking light project, transforming the entire venue into a glowing mosaic to celebrate 20 years of ONE OK ROCK. Taka, visibly moved, held back tears throughout the song, and near the end, as he thanked the crowd, you could hear the lump in his throat — his voice trembling with emotion. That night, his singing carried even more depth and sincerity than ever before — proof that for Taka, every performance is a dialogue of hearts, not just sound.

Moments like the band's performance at London's O2 Arena further highlight Taka's extraordinary stage command. At the beginning of the show, the sections farther from the stage seemed reserved — seated, watching with quiet curiosity. But Taka sensed it instantly. Within minutes, through sheer charisma, precision, and timing, he turned hesitation into full participation. By the second chorus, the entire arena was on its feet, clapping, singing, and following his lead as if guided by one heartbeat. You could even hear a trace of nervous energy in his voice — that raw, human edge that makes his performances so real. It was a masterclass in connection, the kind of transformation only a truly magnetic frontman can create.

Taka's increasing use of vocal distortion and controlled rasp adds emotional gravity to songs like Deeper Deeper, Take What You Want, and Renegades, while his smoother phrasing in ballads such as Broken Heart of Gold and Your Tears are Mine reveals a sense of warmth and restraint. This balance — the coexistence of power and tenderness — defines his modern style.

Despite his technical excellence, Taka often emphasizes that he still has a long way to go as a musician. That humility, combined with his constant drive to improve, keeps his performances raw and genuine. At times, when he feels nervous or overwhelmed, you can even hear it in his voice — a subtle quiver, a slightly missed note — and that vulnerability only makes him more human, more real.

Taka's evolution from a naturally powerful young tenor into a vocalist of world-class technique has made him one of the most capable and expressive singers of the 21st century. His combination of range, stamina, emotional honesty, and stylistic versatility is rare even on the global stage.

Comparable in vocal presence and emotional force to artists such as Chester Bennington or Freddie Mercury, Taka stands apart for the way he blends contemporary technique with a rare modern sincerity that few vocalists today can match.

His voice is not only powerful, but intentional and unmistakably human. Every note carries meaning; every silence has purpose. On stage, he commands the moment entirely — electrifying the room with energy, connecting through vulnerability, and transforming each performance into an experience that feels shared, alive, and unforgettable.

It is this blend of technical mastery and emotional truth that continues to define his legacy, setting a new standard for what a rock vocalist can be.