Yuu Shirota

Infobox actor
name =Yuu Shirota ( _ja. 城田 優)
ja_name =城田 優
ja_name_trans=Shirota Yuu


caption =
birth_date =birth date and age|1985|12|26
birth_place =Tokyo, Japan
occupation =Actor, Singer
Associated_acts = D-Boys
salary =
networth =
website = http://blog.watanabepro.co.jp/shirotayu/ Shirota's
footnotes =
yearsactive = 2004–presentnihongo|Yuu Shirota|城田 優|Shirota Yū, born December 26, 1985, is a Japanese-Spanish actor and singer. He is known most notably for his role as Kunimitsu Tezuka in the "Prince of Tennis" musical series, Tenimyu, and in the live film adaptation, and for his role as Tuxedo Kamen in the Sailor Moon Musicals, also as Kagurazaka Mokoto in live-action drama "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e". He was also part of a young men's stage acting troupe, D-Boys, which perform in various skit-like performances, until June 27, 2008, when he announced his graduation during the encore for the D-Stage Volume 2 play.

Biography

Early life

Shirota was born on December 26, 1985 to a Japanese father and a Spanish motherFact|date=April 2008.Shirota lived in Barcelona, Spain since he was three to about seven years, for a total of nearly five years. He returned to Japan for elementary school and can still speak Spanish in ordinary conversation.

He attended high school at Horikoshi High along with NEWS member Yamashita Tomohisa, WaT's Teppei Koike, Japanese actor and singer Ikuta Toma and KAT-TUN's Tanaka Koki

According to Shirota, when he was little, his family liked to sing songs, so he would borrow his older sister's keyboard, while his mother taught him piano. Thus spawned Shirota's love for composing. He composed his first piece when he was in the fourth grade, titled the "The Tear". From his [http://www.mmv.co.jp/products/flyer/tennis_musical/play/dreamlive_3rd/closeup/04.html Prince of Tennis Musical Interview]

Career

He has also appeared in various numbers of commercials, commercial videos, TV shows, musicals, and movies.

Shirota's appeared in Mai Hoshimura's 2002 "Stay With You" music video and MISIA's 2003 "In My Soul" music video. In September 2006, he, along with fellow D-Boy member, Yuya Endo, appeared in the music video for RAG FAIR's "Kimi no Tame ni Boku ga Tate ni Naro", playing a young man planning to propose to his girlfriend.

And he's starred in a series of commercial videos for the game, "Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side" and the game, "Shadow Hearts From the New World" (2005).

He was also a part of the 2005 Watanabe net drama, "Hice Cool",Hice Cool Official Site [http://okinawa.netcinema.tv/] ] appearing alongside fellow D-Boy members Kotaro Yanagi, Yuya Endo, and Osamu Adachi.

Shirota also starred in the TV drama special, "The Hit Parade",Hit Parade Official Site [http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/hit/index.html] ] portraying the real-life Mickey Curtis. The show, which aired May 26, 2006 on Fuji TV, also starred fellow D-Boys members Masato Wada, Hirofumi Araki, Masaki Kaji, Hiroki Suzuki, Yuya Endo and Seto Kouji.

Shirota's appeared on a radio show on FM Osaka 851, performing live on October 7, 2006.

With the D-Boys

In October 2004, Shirota joined the [http://www.watanabepro.co.jp/ Watanabe Entertainment] group, the D-BOYS.

As a member of the D-Boys, Shirota also keeps a [http://blog.watanabepro.co.jp/shirotayu/ blog] , which he updates regularly.

Being a part of the D-Boys provided Shirota with a lot of opportunities. Among them was to perform with the group of boys and expand his experience as a performer.

The D-Boys so far have released two Photobooks. The first photobook released on April 27, 2005, was self-titled " [http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/492456642X D-Boys] ", while the second, released on March 15, 2006, was called " [http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4054030351 Start] ", both which contain many photos of Shirota.

He's also hosted a radio show called " [http://www.mmv.co.jp/mrv/ "Marvelous Radio Vibration"] " with fellow D-Boys member, Kotaro Yanagi and Yukki. The show aired on May 5, 2005 and ended its run on April 1, 2006.

The D-boys have also starred in their own drama documentary variety show called, "DD-Boys"DD-Boys Official Site [http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/dd-boys/top.html] ] in which Shirota's appeared in multiple episodes as himself. The show was 23 episodes long and ran from April 10th to September 25, 2006.

In June 2007, the D-Boys starred in their very own musical together called, "D-BOYS STAGE",D-BOYS STAGE Official Website [http://www.d-boys.com/dboysstage/index.html] ] which ran from June 3rd to June 10th at the [http://www.spacezero.co.jp/index.html Space Zero] theater in Tokyo. Shirota appeared in the musical only as a guest performer, making select appearances on June 3rd, June 8th and June 10th.

As Tuxedo Kamen / Chiba Mamoru in the Sailor Moon Musicals

From 2003 to 2004, Shirota became the 7th actor to play Tuxedo Kamen (Tuxedo Mask) in the Sailor Moon Musicals. His first official performance as Tuxedo Kamen was on January 2, 2003, in the "2003 Winter Special Mugen Gakuen - Mistress Labyrinth (Kaiteiban)". He also demonstrated his ability to play acoustic guitar on stage live, during the "Starlights - Ryuusei Densetsu" performances.

The "2004 New Legend of Kaguya Island" was Shirota's last performance as Tuxedo Kamen. That night, on September 5, 2004, after he performed his final rendition of "Prince of Earth", he announced his graduation from the role and received flowers from Hironari Amano who had previously played Tuxedo Kamen in the original "1999 Kaguya Island" musical.

As Kunimitsu Tezuka in The Prince of Tennis Musicals

After his role as Tuxedo Kamen, Shirota won the role of Kunimitsu Tezuka, the stoic captain of Seigaku Middle School's tennis club, in "The Prince of Tennis" musicals series, Tenimyu. From 2005 to 2006, he became the third actor to play Tezuka as a member of the second generation Seigaku cast. He made his first debut as Tezuka on January 8, 2005 in the "Side Yamabuki" performance in Osaka. That same year, his role as Tezuka was carried into the live adaptation film of the manga. During his run in the musicals, he was able to work with fellow D-Boys members Yuya Endo, Kotaro Yanagi, Masaki Kaji, Hiroki Suzuki, Hirofumi Araki, Masato Wada, and Osamu Adachi.

He released a Best Actor's album in 2005, for his role as Tezuka, called "The Prince of Tennis Imperial Match Hyotei Gakuen: Best Actor's Series 001 - Yuu Shirota as Kunimitsu Tezuka"

On March 29, 2006, in the Dream Live 3rd Live concert, he along with the majority of the second generation Seigaku cast, graduated from their roles. Since his graduation, the role of Tezuka has been played by Keisuke Minami and currently by Daisuke Watanabe.

As Kunimitsu Tezuka in The Prince of Tennis Live-Action Film

Shirota was able to carry on his role from the musicals to the live-adaptation film of the manga series, "The Prince of Tennis". Along with most of the principal cast members for the Seigaku Regulars, he was able to reprise his role in the movie. The only major casting change was Kanata Hongo 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 and marked Shirota's first major film appearance.

hirota's Roles in 2007

After Shirota's movie, the "June Bride"June Bride Official Site [http://www.junebride-movie.com/] ] opened on May 27, 2006, which he played the title character, Natsumi and starred opposite and Kawamura Aki; shirota spent most of the year filming for other projects. The movie, "June Bride", was based on the original manga "Jyun Bride", by Satoshi Yoshida and also costarred Shirota's fellow D-Boys members, Hirofumi Araki and Hiroki Suzuki. The film also resulted in a made for DVD release sequel, "Zoku June Bride".

In 2007, after nearly a year away from musicals, Shirota starred as Anthony Hope, the cheerful young sailor in the Japanese stage production of "Sweeney Todd"Japanese Sweeney Todd Official Site [http://hpot.jp/sweeney/] ] . The musical opened on January 5, 2007 and ran through January 29, 2007 at the Nissay Theatre with additional performances during February in Osaka.

The next project Shirota was involved in before 2006 ended was the TV drama, "nihongo|Dignity of Haken|ハケンの品格|Haken no Hinkaku",Haken no Hinkaku Official Site [http://www.ntv.co.jp/haken/] ] which premiered on January 10, 2007, on NTV and ended on March 21, 2007. The drama featured Shirota as the half-Spanish Ryuto Amaya (Shirota being half-Spanish himself), only son of Mayuko Amaya, often seen working as a bartender, guitarist or flamenco dancer at his mother's store, the Cafe Cantante. Ryuto is brought up in the Latin world and does not understand the Japanese mantra of corporation consciousness. The drama starred Ryoko Shinohara, Kotaro Koizumi, Ai Kato and Yo Oizumi.

Shirota next appeared in his second TV drama appearance, in the April 2007 drama, "nihongo|Seito Shokun!|生徒诸君|",Seito Shokun Official Site [http://seitoshokun.asahi.co.jp/] ] which is an adaptation of the manga series, "Seito Shokun". He played Ken Mizuhara, a physical education teacher. The drama will also star Uchiyama Rina, and Shirota's costar from "The Prince of Tennis", Kanata Hongo. He also costars with Horikita Maki and Okada Masaki from Hanazakari no Kimitachi e.

In his third TV drama role of the year, Shirota appeared in the popular adaptation of "Hanazakari No Kimitachi HeHana-Kimi Official Site [http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/hanakimi/index.html] ] ", playing the character of Kagurazaka Makoto, a high-jumping rival to one of the main characters, Sano Izumi. The drama began on July 3, 2007 and included fellow D-Boy member, Shunji Igarashi, as well as Ryo Kimura, Oguri Shun, Horikita Maki and Ikuta Toma.

2007 has also seen Shirota in a string of films. The first being "nihongo|Arakure KNIGHT|荒くれＫＮＩＧＨＴ|",Arakure Knight Official Site [http://www.arakure-knight.com/] ] the live-action movie adaptation of the 1982 to 1988 manga series, "Aratanaru Shobaku" by Satosi Yoshida. The film will open in limited release, premiering at Cinema GAGA on April 28, 2007. Shirota once again acted alongside fellow D-Boys member Masaki Kaji, as well as former Tenimyu castmates, Kousuke Kujirai, Yoshikazu Kotani, and Kenta Kamakari. Previously, in 1998, a live-action TV series had been made titled "Shin Shonan Bakusozoku Arakure Knight (Bomber Bikers of Shonan)".

The second of his three films, Shirota played a main supporting actor in the film, "nihongo|Waruboro|ワルボロ|The name is thought to be a pun on the name "Marlboro" [http://www.ryuganji.net/news/index.php?entry=entry060816-025952] .] ", which starred Shouta Matsuda as the main character with Shirota's "Heat Island" costar, Ryo Kimura and fellow D-Boys member, Masaki Kaji as supporting characters. Due to the setting and time period of the movie, Shirota had to perm his hair for his character. The movie is an adaptation of Gettsu Itaya's semi-autobiographical novel, "Waruboro" and is set to be released on September 8, 2007Waruboro Official Website [http://www.waruboro.jp/] ] as principle filmography began on September 20, 2006.

Before October 2006, Shirota finished filming for his third movie, "nihongo|Heat Island|ヒートアイランド"Heat Island Official Site [http://www.heatisland.jp/] ] , based on the book of the same title written by Kakine Ryuosuke. Shirota played Aki, a street gangster who moves around Shibuya (a district in Tokyo) causing trouble and accidentally obtains a large sum of money that belongs to a crime group; however, the money once belonged to an illegal casino operated by the Yakuza and both groups will be after the money. The film was released on October 20, 2007, and also costared Keiko Kitagawa , Ryo Kimura, and Naoya Urata. For his role as Aki, Shirota had to sport blonde streaks in his bangs. He has also worn the blonde extensions while promoting Heat Island prior to the movie's release.

In "Koshonin - The Negotiator"

After Shirota's run as Charles Lindbergh in the 2007 year-end Japanese production of the "Take Flight" Take Flight Site [http://www.parco-play.com/web/play/take/] ] musical, viewers will have an opportunity to watch Shirota on the small screen, in the January 2008 TV drama, "Koshonin - The Negotiator" Koshonin - The Negotiator Site [http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/koshonin/index_top.html] ] . He will be portraying Mariya Kyousuke, a condemned criminal.

In "Rookies"

Shirota is currently starring in The Rookies, a baseball J-drama based on the manga of the same name by Morita Masanori. He plays Shinjo Kei, a juvenile delinquent and one of the members of the baseball club, whose new coach is trying to reform. The series was first aired on April 19, 2008, and is currently ongoing. For this role, Shirota had his hair bleached blonde.

Idol DVD and Photobook

On November 16, 2005, Shirota released an Idol DVD called "With U".With U Official Site [http://www.mens-dvd.net/release/02_01/index.html] ] The DVD includes an acoustic performance for the song "Natsu no Owari ~ Mou Kako no Koi", for which he had composed and written lyrics.

In September 26, 2007, he released his "first solo photobook collection". Wanibooks Official Site [http://shop.wani.co.jp/shop/goods/goods.asp?goods=978-4-8470-4020-7] ] This included childhood pictures of him as well as photos taken by Shirota himself.

Magazines

Shirota appears regularly in many magazines and journals. In January 2007, Wink up Magazine (Wanibooks) started a monthly column written by Shirota. This column is titled "How are you?" and usually features one picture taken by Shirota.

Personal life

In April 2006, Shirota experienced [http://www.wintechjapan.com/diary/index.html language study studying abroad] for 1 week in the Australian gold coast. His experiences were recorded in the [http://home.alc.co.jp/db/owa/sp_item_detail?p_sec_cd=31&p_item_cd=7006028 Language Study studying abroad 2007] journal series and covered in detail over 13 pages of his thoughts after the experience and the return home.

In June 2006, he then visited New York to see five Broadway musicals: "The Producers", "Rent", "Spelling Bee", "Sweeney Todd", and "The Phantom of the Opera".

He, with Hirofumi Araki, also attended the opening night for the "Advancement Side Rokkaku feat. Hyotei Gakuen" of Tenimyu on August 3, 2006, to support Hiroki Aiba and Kousuke Kujirai.

His older brother by a year, Jun Shirota, designs and models for the collection, [http://www.janji.jp/index.html Janji] and is also a member of the band, [http://www.alma.vc/index.html Alma] .

elected Filmography

References

* [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9F%8E%E7%94%B0%E5%84%AA Wikipedia Japanese article on 城田優]
* [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-BOYS Wikipedia Japanese article on D-Boys]

External links

*http://www.shirotayuu.com
* [http://blog.watanabepro.co.jp/shirotayu/ Shirota's Official Blog] ja icon
* [http://www.watanabepro.co.jp/shirotayu/ Shirota's Official Website and Profile] ja icon
* [http://www.watanabepro.co.jp/blog_artist/shirotayu/ Shirota's Past Blog Archive] ja icon
* [http://www.watanabepro.co.jp/04_artist/d-boys/shirotayu/index2.html Shirota's Past Blog Archive with Introduction] ja icon
* [http://www.d-boys.com/ D-Boys Official Website] ja icon
*ann name|id=55353|name=Yuu Shirota
*imdb name|id=2320666|name=Yuu Shirota

ee also

* D-Boys
* Tenimyu
* The Prince of Tennis Movie
* The Prince of Tennis
* Kunimitsu Tezuka
* Sailor Moon Musicals
* Tuxedo Kamen