Yoshikazu Kotani
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| Born: | March 25, 1982 (age 25) Tokyo, Japan |
|---|---|
| Occupation: | Actor, Singer |
| Website: | Kotani's Official Website |
Yoshikazu Kotani (小谷嘉一 Kotani Yoshikazu?) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is known most notably for his role as Takashi Kawamura in The Prince of Tennis movie and The Prince of Tennis musicals.
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[edit] Profile
Name: Yoshikazu Kotani
Japanese Name: 小谷嘉一
Romanization: Kotani Yoshikazu
Nicknames: Konii
Date of Birth: March 25th, 1982
Birthplace: Tokyo
Blood Type: O
Height: 184 cm (6'0")
Three Size: 92-74-92 (36"-29"-36")
Hobbies: Baseball, driving, writing lyics and composition
Special Skills: Guitar
[edit] Career
He has appeared in a various number of TV shows and movies.
Kotani has also appeared in commercials for Pocky (January 2005) and Asahi Beer (December 17th-25th, 2004).
On October 18th and 19th, 2003, Kotani appeared in the 2-day staging of ANGEL29x99.
He's also played a transvestite named Cindy, in the movie, TKO Hip Hop[1].
[edit] As Takashi Kawamura in The Prince of Tennis Musicals
Kotani won the role of Takashi Kawamura, the soft-spoken, dual-personality 3rd year regular of Seigaku Middle School's tennis club. From 2005 to 2006, he became the fourth actor to play Kawamura in the The Prince of Tennis Musicals. He made his first debut as Kawamura on January 8th, 2005 in the Winter 2004-2005 Side Yamabuki performance in Osaka. That same year, his role as Kawamura was carried into the live adaptation film of the anime/manga.
He performed, as Kawamura, in the following shows:
- Tenimyu in Winter: Side Yamabuki - Featuring St Rudolph
- Dream Live 2nd: Second Live concert
- Imperial Match Hyotei
- Hyoutei in Winter
- Dream Live 3rd: Third Live concert
On March 29th, 2006, in the Dream Live 3rd Live concert, he along with the majority of the Seigaku cast, graduated from their roles.
[edit] As Takashi Kawamura in The Prince of Tennis Live-Action Film
Kotani was able to carry on his role as Takashi Kawamura from the musicals to the live-adaptation film of the anime/manga series, The Prince of Tennis. He, along with most of the principle cast members for the Seigaku boys, were able to reprise their roles in the movie. The only major casting change was the casting of Kanata Hongo as Ryoma Echizen, the main protagonist.
The Prince of Tennis was released on May 13th, 2006 and opened on the tenth spot in the Japanese Box Office.
[edit] In ZanSaber
Kotani will also be starring in the made-for DVD release tokusatsu series, ZanSaber[2], as a tokusatsu hero. The film will also star Kotani's past co-stars from the Tenimyu, Kawai Ryuunosuke and Washimi Ryou.
ZanSaber was released on November 18th, 2006.
[edit] In BOYS LOVE
Kotani's next project was filming for the made-for DVD release movie, BOYS LOVE[3], 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 24th, 2006.
[edit] In Arakure KNIGHT
In 2007, Kotani will appear in the film, Arakure KNIGHT (荒くれＫＮＩＧＨＴ?)[4], 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 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).
[edit] 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 Cinepuri interview that Tom Hank's performance in the film Forrest Gump, inspired him to want to be an actor.
[edit] Selected Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | As for Looking at Love Lastly | Kunihiko | TV drama |
| 2001 | Kamen Rider Agito | Kouji Majima | TV drama special |
| 2004 | Waltz of the Puppy | Wada Takashi | TV drama special |
| 2004 | Take Off! | N/A | TV drama |
| 2004 | Division 1 (After the Releasing Section) | Mizutani | TV drama |
| 2004 | Genseishin Justirisers | Takeda | TV drama special |
| 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 |
| 2005 | Justirisers | Takeda | TV drama special |
| 2005 | Anego | N/A | TV drama |
| 2005 | Kosume no Mahou 2 | Kobayashi | TV drama |
| 2005 | Gakkou no Kaidan | N/A | Net Drama |
| 2005 | TKO Hip Hop | Cindy | |
| 2005 | Chikan Otoko | N/A | |
| 2006 | The Prince of Tennis | Takashi Kawamura | |
| 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 | BOYS LOVE | Mamiya Taishin | |
| 2007 | Arakure KNIGHT | N/A | post-production (film) |
[edit] Stage
[edit] Musicals
- 2005-2006 Takashi Kawamura - The Prince of Tennis Musicals
[edit] Plays
- 2003 - 年秋公演「ANGEL29X99」にて客演ANGEL
[edit] Awards
1999 JUNON SUPER BOY Contest - 5th Place
[edit] References
- ^ TKO HIPHOP Official Website [1]
- ^ ZanSaber Official Website [2]
- ^ BOYS LOVE Official Blog [3]
- ^ Arakure Knight Official Site [4]
[edit] External links
- Kotani's Official Blog
- Kotani's Official Website
- Yoshikazu Kotani at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- Yoshikazu Kotani at the Internet Movie Database
