Yoshikazu Kotani
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese actor and singer from Tokyo
. He is known most notably for his role as Takashi Kawamura in The Prince of Tennis
musical series, Tenimyu
, and the live film adaptation
.
He's also played a transvestite named Cindy, in the movie, TKO Hip Hop.
. From 2005 to 2006, he became the fourth actor to play Kawamura as a member of the second generation Seigaku cast. He made his first debut as Kawamura on January 8, 2005 in the Side Yamabuki performance in Osaka
. That same year, his role as Kawamura was carried into the live adaptation film of the manga.
On March 29, 2006, in the Dream Live 3rd Live concert, Kotani, along with the majority of the Seigaku cast, graduated from their roles. Since his graduation, the role of Kawamura has been played by Kouji Watanabe, Hiro Ogasawa, and currently by actors Teyu Kon and Ikko Chou.
as Ryoma Echizen
, the main protagonist.
The Prince of Tennis was released on May 13, 2006 and opened on the tenth spot in the Japanese Box Office.
series, ZanSaber, as a tokusatsu hero. The film will also star Kotani's past co-stars from the Prince of Tennis
musicals, Kawai Ryuunosuke and Washimi Ryou.
ZanSaber was released on November 18, 2006.
, which also costarred his former Tenimyu
costar, Saito Takumi. In the movie, Kotani plays Mamiya Taishin, a magazine editor that meets high-school model, Kisaragi Noeru (Saito Takumi), during a magazine interview.
Boys Love was released on November 24, 2006.
In 2007, Kotani again took the lead in the theatrical edition of Boys Love
, which shared only a title with the 2006 movie, and featured a new story and an otherwise new cast. Kotani this time was cast in the part of Aoi Kairu, a young teacher at an all-boys boarding school, who discovers that his new student, Amakami Sora (Kanno Atsumi) is the same boy with whom he recently had a sexual encounter. The movie again costarred other former Tenimyu
actors, this time Kawakubo Yuuki and, in smaller roles, Baba Tooru and Kiriyama Renn.
Kotani will once again act alongside former Tenimyu
castmates, Yuu Shirota, Masaki Kaji
, Kousuke Kujirai
, and Kenta Kamakari
.
Previously, in 1998, a live-action TV series had been made titled Shin Shonan Bakusozoku Arakure Knight (Bomber Bikers of Shonan).
interview that Tom Hanks's performance in the film Forrest Gump
, inspired him to want to be an actor.
He currently updates two blogs one in ameblo http://ameblo.jp/yoshikazu-kotani, the other in fc blog.
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. He is known most notably for his role as Takashi Kawamura in The Prince of Tennis
The Prince of Tennis
is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Takeshi Konomi. The title is often shortened to , a portmanteau of the two parts in the Japanese pronunciation of the words "Tennis Prince". The manga was first published in Japan in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in July 1999, and ended...
musical series, Tenimyu
Tenimyu
The Prince of Tennis Musical , also known as "TeniPuri Musical," "Tenimyu," or "GekiPuri" , is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on manga series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump.The first musical...
, and the live film adaptation
The Prince of Tennis (film)
is a 2006 live-action movie directed by Yuichi Abe and based on The Prince of Tennis manga series by Takeshi Konomi. It condenses the storyline from when Ryoma arrives in Japan to the match against Hyotei Academy...
.
Biography
Kotani has appeared in a various number of TV shows and movies. He has also appeared in commercials for Pocky (January 2005) and Asahi Beer (December 17–25, 2004). On October 18 and 19, 2003, Kotani appeared in the 2-day staging of ANGEL29x99.He's also played a transvestite named Cindy, in the movie, TKO Hip Hop.
Musicals
Kotani won the role of Takashi Kawamura, the soft-spoken, dual-personality 3rd year regular of Seigaku Middle School's tennis club, in The Prince of Tennis musicals, TenimyuTenimyu
The Prince of Tennis Musical , also known as "TeniPuri Musical," "Tenimyu," or "GekiPuri" , is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on manga series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump.The first musical...
. From 2005 to 2006, he became the fourth actor to play Kawamura as a member of the second generation Seigaku cast. He made his first debut as Kawamura on January 8, 2005 in the Side Yamabuki performance in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
. That same year, his role as Kawamura was carried into the live adaptation film of the manga.
On March 29, 2006, in the Dream Live 3rd Live concert, Kotani, along with the majority of the Seigaku cast, graduated from their roles. Since his graduation, the role of Kawamura has been played by Kouji Watanabe, Hiro Ogasawa, and currently by actors Teyu Kon and Ikko Chou.
Live Action
Kotani was able to carry on his role from the musicals to the live-adaptation film of the manga series of The Prince of Tennis. He, along with most of the principal cast members for the Seigaku Regulars, were able to reprise their roles in the movie. The only major casting change was the casting of Kanata HongoKanata Hongo
is a Japanese actor and model. He is part of Stardust Talent agency and has appeared several times in music videos, movies, TV series, and magazines. His major breakthrough role was as the anime character Ryoma Echizen in the film adaptation of The Prince of Tennis, and became even more widely...
as Ryoma Echizen
Ryoma Echizen
is a fictional character and the protagonist of the manga and anime series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi. In the series, Ryoma is portrayed as a twelve-year-old tennis prodigy who won four consecutive Junior Tennis Tournaments in America. His father is Nanjiro Echizen, a former...
, the main protagonist.
The Prince of Tennis was released on May 13, 2006 and opened on the tenth spot in the Japanese Box Office.
ZanSaber
Kotani will also be starring in the made-for DVD release tokusatsuTokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
series, ZanSaber, as a tokusatsu hero. The film will also star Kotani's past co-stars from the Prince of Tennis
Tenimyu
The Prince of Tennis Musical , also known as "TeniPuri Musical," "Tenimyu," or "GekiPuri" , is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on manga series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump.The first musical...
musicals, Kawai Ryuunosuke and Washimi Ryou.
ZanSaber was released on November 18, 2006.
Boys Love
Kotani's next project was filming for the made-for DVD release movie, Boys LoveBoys Love (film)
refers to two Japanese films directed by Kōtarō Terauchi. The first, titled simply Boys Love, was released directly to DVD on November 24, 2006. Due to the commercial success of the first movie, Terauchi was invited to direct a new version of his film to be released on theatres, Boys Love...
, which also costarred his former Tenimyu
Tenimyu
The Prince of Tennis Musical , also known as "TeniPuri Musical," "Tenimyu," or "GekiPuri" , is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on manga series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump.The first musical...
costar, Saito Takumi. In the movie, Kotani plays Mamiya Taishin, a magazine editor that meets high-school model, Kisaragi Noeru (Saito Takumi), during a magazine interview.
Boys Love was released on November 24, 2006.
In 2007, Kotani again took the lead in the theatrical edition of Boys Love
Boys Love (film)
refers to two Japanese films directed by Kōtarō Terauchi. The first, titled simply Boys Love, was released directly to DVD on November 24, 2006. Due to the commercial success of the first movie, Terauchi was invited to direct a new version of his film to be released on theatres, Boys Love...
, which shared only a title with the 2006 movie, and featured a new story and an otherwise new cast. Kotani this time was cast in the part of Aoi Kairu, a young teacher at an all-boys boarding school, who discovers that his new student, Amakami Sora (Kanno Atsumi) is the same boy with whom he recently had a sexual encounter. The movie again costarred other former Tenimyu
Tenimyu
The Prince of Tennis Musical , also known as "TeniPuri Musical," "Tenimyu," or "GekiPuri" , is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on manga series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump.The first musical...
actors, this time Kawakubo Yuuki and, in smaller roles, Baba Tooru and Kiriyama Renn.
Arakure KNIGHT
In 2007, Kotani will appear in the film, , the live-action movie adaptation of the 1982 to 1988 manga series, Aratanaru Shobaku by Satosi Yoshida. The film will be released in April 2007.Kotani will once again act alongside former Tenimyu
Tenimyu
The Prince of Tennis Musical , also known as "TeniPuri Musical," "Tenimyu," or "GekiPuri" , is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on manga series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump.The first musical...
castmates, Yuu Shirota, Masaki Kaji
Masaki Kaji
is a Japanese actor and singer. He is known most notably for his role as Takeshi Momoshiro in the Prince of Tennis musical series, Tenimyu, and the live film adaptation...
, Kousuke Kujirai
Kousuke Kujirai
is a Japanese actor and singer. He is known most notably for his role as Jenath Dira in the Get Ride! Amdriver anime series and Kaoru Kaidoh and The Prince of Tennis musical series, Tenimyu, and the live film adaptation, and as Panther in Eyeshield 21.-Career:He works primarily in stage...
, and Kenta Kamakari
Kenta Kamakari
is a Japanese actor, voice actor and singer, famous for his role as Ryo Shishido in the Prince of Tennis Musicals. He was hospitalized on April 21, 2007 and was unable to play the role of Minami Itsuki in Musical Air Gear vs. Bacchus Super Range Remix and appear in Dream Live 4 ~Extra~. As he...
.
Previously, in 1998, a live-action TV series had been made titled Shin Shonan Bakusozoku Arakure Knight (Bomber Bikers of Shonan).
Personal life
Kotani keeps a personal blog, which he updates occasionally. He likes to be called by his nickname, "Konii," and has stated before in a hm3 Men's Extra vol. 2 CinepuriThe Prince of Tennis (film)
is a 2006 live-action movie directed by Yuichi Abe and based on The Prince of Tennis manga series by Takeshi Konomi. It condenses the storyline from when Ryoma arrives in Japan to the match against Hyotei Academy...
interview that Tom Hanks's performance in the film Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
, inspired him to want to be an actor.
He currently updates two blogs one in ameblo http://ameblo.jp/yoshikazu-kotani, the other in fc blog.
+PLUS
Kotani is now a member of +Plus a J-Pop band that usually does opening and ending songs for anime. The latest anime that they did was Hitman REBORN. +PLUS has four albums out, Koe (Voice), Canvas and two others.Discography
2007 - Going to the Road was his first solo single. It was made up of 2 Songs. Going to the Road and Irotodori no Sekai.Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | As for Looking at Love Lastly | Kunihiko | TV drama Japanese television drama , also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others... |
| 2001 | Kamen Rider Agito Kamen Rider Agito , is the eleventh installment in the popular Kamen Rider tokusatsu franchise. The series represented the 30th Anniversary of the Kamen Rider Series. The series was also a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei and was shown on TV Asahi from January 28, 2001 to January 27, 2002.... |
Kouji Majima | Tokusatsu Tokusatsu is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects .... |
| 2004 | Waltz of the Puppy | Wada Takashi | TV drama special Japanese television drama , also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others... |
| 2004 | Take Off! | N/A | TV drama Japanese television drama , also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others... |
| 2004 | Division 1 (After the Releasing Section) | Mizutani | TV drama Japanese television drama , also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others... |
| 2004 | Genseishin Justirisers | Takeda | Tokusatsu Tokusatsu is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects .... |
| 2005 | Mata no hi no chika (Another Day for Chika) or (Days of Chika) | Kondo Yukitugu | |
| 2005 | Ruri no Shima | N/A | |
| 2005 | Dangerous Related | Sakura Yoshihiko | TV drama special Japanese television drama , also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others... |
| 2005 | Justirisers | Takeda | TV drama special Japanese television drama , also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others... |
| 2005 | Anego | N/A | TV drama Japanese television drama , also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others... |
| 2005 | Kosume no Mahou 2 | Kobayashi | TV drama Japanese television drama , also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others... |
| 2005 | Gakkou no Kaidan | N/A | Net Drama |
| 2005 | TKO Hip Hop | Cindy | |
| 2005 | Chikan Otoko | N/A | |
| 2006 | The Prince of Tennis The Prince of Tennis (film) is a 2006 live-action movie directed by Yuichi Abe and based on The Prince of Tennis manga series by Takeshi Konomi. It condenses the storyline from when Ryoma arrives in Japan to the match against Hyotei Academy... |
Takashi Kawamura Takashi Kawamura Takashi Kawamura refers to either:* Takashi Kawamura - fictional character* Takashi Kawamura - politician... |
|
| 2006 | Shinrei Shashin Kitan (心霊写真奇譚) | Nishimura Hiroshi | Appears in Hishatai no Nai Shashin, story #1 |
| 2006 | ZanSaber | N/A | |
| 2006 | Yuuki | N/A | |
| 2006 | Boys Love Boys Love (film) refers to two Japanese films directed by Kōtarō Terauchi. The first, titled simply Boys Love, was released directly to DVD on November 24, 2006. Due to the commercial success of the first movie, Terauchi was invited to direct a new version of his film to be released on theatres, Boys Love... |
Mamiya Taishin | |
| 2007 | Arakure KNIGHT | N/A | post-production (film) |
| 2007 | Beauty Boys Celebrity | Go | Tv Drama |
| 2007 | Boys Love (theater edition) | ||
| 2009 | Tokyo Ghost Trip | ||
| 2009 | Teioh |
Musicals
TENIMYU: THE PRINCE OF TENNIS MUSICAL SERIES (as Takashi Kawamura)- The Prince of Tennis Musical: Side Yamabuki feat. St. Rudolph (In Winter of 2004-2005)
- The Prince of Tennis Musical: Dream Live 2nd (2005)
- The Prince of Tennis Musical: The Imperial Match Hyotei Gakuen (2005)
- The Prince of Tennis Musical: The Imperial Match Hyotei Gakuen in Winter (In Winter of 2005-2006)
- The Prince of Tennis Musical: Dream Live 3rd (2006)
See also
- TenimyuTenimyuThe Prince of Tennis Musical , also known as "TeniPuri Musical," "Tenimyu," or "GekiPuri" , is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on manga series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump.The first musical...
- The Prince of TennisThe Prince of Tennis (film)is a 2006 live-action movie directed by Yuichi Abe and based on The Prince of Tennis manga series by Takeshi Konomi. It condenses the storyline from when Ryoma arrives in Japan to the match against Hyotei Academy...
Movie - The Prince of TennisThe Prince of Tennisis a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Takeshi Konomi. The title is often shortened to , a portmanteau of the two parts in the Japanese pronunciation of the words "Tennis Prince". The manga was first published in Japan in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in July 1999, and ended...
- Takashi KawamuraTakashi KawamuraTakashi Kawamura refers to either:* Takashi Kawamura - fictional character* Takashi Kawamura - politician...