Ryuhei Maruyama
Encyclopedia
, is a member of the popular Japanese boyband Kanjani8. He is also a morning show co-host on Kansai TV and a TV actor.
) and appeared in an idol magazine announcing their selection on the same day. After not hearing from the agency for close to half a year, his parents decided to reapply in 1997. At his second audition, he met future fellow members Shota Yasuda
, Ryo Nishikido
and Tadayoshi Okura
. Maruyama tells the story of how, when president Johnny Kitagawa was surprised and asked what he was doing at the audition when he had already joined. Apparently his paperwork had been misplaced or lost.
His most notable prominence as a Jr was winning the Johnny's Half-marathon in Hawaii in 1998. He also had some appearances in Jr. dramas, the biggest being a role in J Ke Hanran, a Johnny's Jr vehicle with several popular Jr's. His closest Jr. friends growing up were Shota Yasuda
and Ryo Nishikido
.
In 1999, he was grouped into a band called V.WEST ("five-west") as its bassist. This Kansai Jr. band was a parallel unit to the pre-existing Tokyo Jr. band, FIVE. The band enjoyed a good level of popularity among fans; they were chosen to perform on Music Station
once and also got their own TV show, Shuukan V.WEST (Weekly V.WEST), on Kansai TV. They held their only concert, V.WEST First Live at Zepp Osaka, not long before Kanjani8 was formed in 2002.
Maruyama carried over his role as bassist to Kanjani8 as well as its subunit, SubaruBand. Maruyama and Shota Yasuda
(the guitarist) exhibit spirited and energetic performances in concerts, frequently leaping and running about while simultaneously playing their instruments.
Maruyama and Yasuda usually sing the rap portions of Kanjani8's songs, besides doing most of the back-up harmonizing, with Maruyama doing the low parts, and Yasuda, the high notes. The two are solid in both respects, having an excellent flair and good grasp of beat and harmony, making them the main rappers and harmonizing voices in the group.
Maruyama and Yasuda also form a Manzai
duo, Yamada. Maruyama plays the boke, Yasuda the tsukkomi. The two partners discuss and come up with their own material. Yamada have been performing since their Jr days. During their active days, Maruyama has been said to carry a notebook around with him wherever he goes to jot down ideas that come to him at anytime. However, Yamada has not performed since 2005.
In the acting sphere, Maruyama earned occasional minor roles in TV dramas, mostly drama specials. His biggest role to date was in TV Aichi's drama special Jitensha Shounen ki (Bicycle Boys Chronicles) in fall 2006, as co-leading stars with Shota Yasuda
. It earned promising reviews from the press. His latest appearance is anticipated in August 2007 when he will appear in a period drama special alongside Aya Ueto
and Ito Hideaki.
In Kanjani8, Maruyama's enjoys playing the role of the fool. The members frequently acknowledge and appreciate his efforts to cheer up the atmosphere around him usually by performing gags and cracking silly jokes to make other people laugh, often, at his own expense, which he deems the greatest pleasure. He often comes up with strange yet comedic expressions, both facial and verbal. His trademark, and a fan favorite, is "PAAAAAAN!!" a word which bears no meaning and performed in a loud 'slamming down' voice, while throwing down and spreading one's palm. It came about in 2004, when Maruyama jumped upon Kansai Jr. Nakama Junta's slip on a sentence, twisting Nakama's sentence to "Kokoro ga paaaaan!" As he used it, it gradually shortened to "Paaaaan!!". Another nonsensical sentence made up by Maruyama is his "I love you so much, TO YOU!" which, performed with a serious face, sets off members and fans alike into fits of giggles. Maruyama is capable of amazing facial gymnastics and does a near perfect impression of a Hannya
.
Biography
Maruyama's career as a Johnny's idol has interesting beginnings. He was among 3 fresh Johnny's Jrs selected at an audition on September 22, 1996 (along with fellow member Subaru ShibutaniSubaru Shibutani
is a Japanese idol, singer, actor and lyricist. He is also the lead singer of Japanese male idol group Kanjani Eight, which debuted with modern enka. Shibutani was already a singer in his own right before the group's debut, immensely popular among Johnny's Jr. fans as the top Kansai Jr...
) and appeared in an idol magazine announcing their selection on the same day. After not hearing from the agency for close to half a year, his parents decided to reapply in 1997. At his second audition, he met future fellow members Shota Yasuda
Shota Yasuda
is a member of the popular Japanese male idol unit Kanjani8 of Johnny & Associates. He is the group's guitarist, and one of its main rappers. He was previously guitarist of Kansai Johnny's Jr unit V.WEST before it was absorbed to form Kanjani8.-History:...
, Ryo Nishikido
Ryo Nishikido
is a Japanese actor and singer. He is a member of the Johnny & Associates boy band Kanjani Eight and was a member of boy band NEWS.- Biography :Ryo Nishikido was born in Hyogo on November 3, 1984 and raised in Osaka. He made his major debut in 2004 as an actor and a singer. Nishkido belongs to two...
and Tadayoshi Okura
Tadayoshi Okura
is a Japanese idol, singer and actor. He is from Higashiosaka, Osaka, Japan. He's a member of popular boys band under Johnny & Associates called Kanjani8 .-Biography:He respects Go Morita from V6, he is the reason that Okura joined Johnny & Associates....
. Maruyama tells the story of how, when president Johnny Kitagawa was surprised and asked what he was doing at the audition when he had already joined. Apparently his paperwork had been misplaced or lost.
His most notable prominence as a Jr was winning the Johnny's Half-marathon in Hawaii in 1998. He also had some appearances in Jr. dramas, the biggest being a role in J Ke Hanran, a Johnny's Jr vehicle with several popular Jr's. His closest Jr. friends growing up were Shota Yasuda
Shota Yasuda
is a member of the popular Japanese male idol unit Kanjani8 of Johnny & Associates. He is the group's guitarist, and one of its main rappers. He was previously guitarist of Kansai Johnny's Jr unit V.WEST before it was absorbed to form Kanjani8.-History:...
and Ryo Nishikido
Ryo Nishikido
is a Japanese actor and singer. He is a member of the Johnny & Associates boy band Kanjani Eight and was a member of boy band NEWS.- Biography :Ryo Nishikido was born in Hyogo on November 3, 1984 and raised in Osaka. He made his major debut in 2004 as an actor and a singer. Nishkido belongs to two...
.
In 1999, he was grouped into a band called V.WEST ("five-west") as its bassist. This Kansai Jr. band was a parallel unit to the pre-existing Tokyo Jr. band, FIVE. The band enjoyed a good level of popularity among fans; they were chosen to perform on Music Station
Music Station
is a Japanese music television program. It began broadcasting on October 24, 1986 and continues to be broadcast weekly in High-definition from 8PM-9PM on tv asahi...
once and also got their own TV show, Shuukan V.WEST (Weekly V.WEST), on Kansai TV. They held their only concert, V.WEST First Live at Zepp Osaka, not long before Kanjani8 was formed in 2002.
Maruyama carried over his role as bassist to Kanjani8 as well as its subunit, SubaruBand. Maruyama and Shota Yasuda
Shota Yasuda
is a member of the popular Japanese male idol unit Kanjani8 of Johnny & Associates. He is the group's guitarist, and one of its main rappers. He was previously guitarist of Kansai Johnny's Jr unit V.WEST before it was absorbed to form Kanjani8.-History:...
(the guitarist) exhibit spirited and energetic performances in concerts, frequently leaping and running about while simultaneously playing their instruments.
Maruyama and Yasuda usually sing the rap portions of Kanjani8's songs, besides doing most of the back-up harmonizing, with Maruyama doing the low parts, and Yasuda, the high notes. The two are solid in both respects, having an excellent flair and good grasp of beat and harmony, making them the main rappers and harmonizing voices in the group.
Maruyama and Yasuda also form a Manzai
Manzai
is a traditional style of stand-up comedy in Japanese culture, which usually involves two performers —a straight man and a funny man —trading jokes at great speed...
duo, Yamada. Maruyama plays the boke, Yasuda the tsukkomi. The two partners discuss and come up with their own material. Yamada have been performing since their Jr days. During their active days, Maruyama has been said to carry a notebook around with him wherever he goes to jot down ideas that come to him at anytime. However, Yamada has not performed since 2005.
In the acting sphere, Maruyama earned occasional minor roles in TV dramas, mostly drama specials. His biggest role to date was in TV Aichi's drama special Jitensha Shounen ki (Bicycle Boys Chronicles) in fall 2006, as co-leading stars with Shota Yasuda
Shota Yasuda
is a member of the popular Japanese male idol unit Kanjani8 of Johnny & Associates. He is the group's guitarist, and one of its main rappers. He was previously guitarist of Kansai Johnny's Jr unit V.WEST before it was absorbed to form Kanjani8.-History:...
. It earned promising reviews from the press. His latest appearance is anticipated in August 2007 when he will appear in a period drama special alongside Aya Ueto
Aya Ueto
is a Japanese actress, singer, model, tarento, and occasional radio personality. Born in Nerima, Tokyo, Ueto was discovered when she participated in the 7th Japan Bishōjo Contest, where she won the special jury prize...
and Ito Hideaki.
In Kanjani8, Maruyama's enjoys playing the role of the fool. The members frequently acknowledge and appreciate his efforts to cheer up the atmosphere around him usually by performing gags and cracking silly jokes to make other people laugh, often, at his own expense, which he deems the greatest pleasure. He often comes up with strange yet comedic expressions, both facial and verbal. His trademark, and a fan favorite, is "PAAAAAAN!!" a word which bears no meaning and performed in a loud 'slamming down' voice, while throwing down and spreading one's palm. It came about in 2004, when Maruyama jumped upon Kansai Jr. Nakama Junta's slip on a sentence, twisting Nakama's sentence to "Kokoro ga paaaaan!" As he used it, it gradually shortened to "Paaaaan!!". Another nonsensical sentence made up by Maruyama is his "I love you so much, TO YOU!" which, performed with a serious face, sets off members and fans alike into fits of giggles. Maruyama is capable of amazing facial gymnastics and does a near perfect impression of a Hannya
Hannya
The Hannya mask is a mask used in Japanese Noh theater, representing a jealous female demon or serpent. It possesses two sharp bull-like horns, metallic eyes, and a leering mouth split from ear to ear.-Origin of the name:...
.
Discography
Concerts/tours
- X-mas Party [Christmas concerts] (2002–2005) at Osaka Shochiku-za
- Osaka-jo HallOsaka-jo Hall, or Osaka Castle Hall, is a multi-purpose arena, in the Kyōbashi area, of Osaka, Japan. The hall opened in 1983 and can seat up to 16,000 people...
Zenyasai 1st live (Summer 2005)
- F.T.O.N. (Funky Tokyo Osaka Nagoya) 1st tour (Summer 2006)
- 1st Nationwide tour (Fall/Autumn 2006)
- 2nd Nationwide tour (Winter 2006)
- 1st Solo Concert at Osaka Shochiku-za (12/18-12/20 2006)
- What! Really!? Surprise!! Kanjani8 Dome Concert in Osaka (February 24–25, 2007) at Kyocera Dome Osaka
Weekly variety shows
- Ai No Shura Bara (Kansai TV)
- Ariehen Sekai (with Murakami Shingo and Yasuda Shota)
- 痛快！エブリデイ
- Janiben
- -ended- Tsukkai Everyday (Kansai TV)
- -ended- Can!Jani!
- -ended- Muchaburi
- -ended- Honjani (Kansai TV & Fuji TV, 2003.06.10 -)
- -ended- (TV TokyoTV Tokyois a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
, 2007.04.03 -) - -ended- Suka J (TV TokyoTV Tokyois a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
, 2005.10.04 - 2007.03.27) - -ended- Mugendai no Gimon (TV TokyoTV Tokyois a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
) {2005.04.05 - 2005.09.27} - -ended- Urajani (TV TokyoTV Tokyois a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
) {2004.04.06 - 2005.03.29} - -ended- J³Kansai (Kansai TV) {2002.10.02 - 2003.03.26}
TV dramas
- Freeter Ie wo Kau (2010)
- Room 0 - November 2009
- Uta no Onii-san (2009)
- Wachigaiya Itosato (2007)
- Jitensha Shonenki (2006)
- Double (2006)
- Double (KTV, 2006) (ダイブ・トゥ・ザ・フューチャー) (2006)
- Meitantei Catherine Meitantei Catherine vs Totsukawa Keibu (2006)
- Shichinin no Samurai J ke no Hanran (七人のサムライ J家の反乱) (1999)
Stage
- Summer Specials:
-
- Kyo To Kyo (1998)
- Another (2002)
- Douton Boys (2003)
- Summer Storm (2004)
- Hey!Say!Dream Boy(2004)
- Magical Summer (2005)
- Dream Boys(2005)
- Another's Another (2006)
- Dream Boys (2006)
- What's Eating Gilbert Grape (2011)