YUU SHIROTA

(Redirected from Shirota Yuu)

, born December 26, 1985, is a Japanese actor and singer. He is known most notably for his role as Tezuka Kunimitsu in The Prince of Tennis movie and The Prince of Tennis musicals and for his role as Tuxedo Kamen in the Sailor Moon Musicals. He is also part of a young men's stage acting troupe, D-Boys, which perform in various skit-like performances.

Profile

Yuu Shirota and Tomohisa Yamashita (Yamapi)

Yuu Shirota and Yamapi during a High School Trip

'Nicknames:' Shiroro, Shiropon, Shirotan, Yuu-ani, U-kun (Came up by Jin and Yamapi)

'Blood Type:' O

'Family:' mother (divorced), father (divorced), two older brothers, an older sister and a younger sister

'High School:' Horikoshi Academy (堀越高等学校)

'Height:' 185 cm (6'0¾")

'Weight:' 74 kg

'Three Size:' 89-73-94 (35"-29"-37")

'Dexterity:' Left Handed

'Hobbies:' Song Writing, Song Composition, Karaoke, Watching funny TV shows

'Special Skills:' Spanish, Piano, Saxophone, Guitar

'Favorite Sports:' Soccer

'Favorite Number to See Performed:' "Onna no Ronsou"

'Favorite Food:' Chocolate, rice cookies

'Close Friends:' Tomohisa Yamashita (Since High School), Jin Akanishi, Ikuta Toma

'Place He'd Like to Go on Vacation:' America

Biography

Early life

Shirota was born on December 26, 1985 to a Japanese father and a Spanish mother. Because his mother is Spanish, he lived in Barcelona, Spain until he was about 2 years old. He returned to Japan for elementary school and could still speak Spanish in ordinary conversation.
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 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'',^[1] appearing alongside fellow D-Boy members, Yanagi Kotarou, Endou Yuuya, and Adachi Osamu.
Shirota also starred in the TV drama special, ''The Hit Parade'',Hit Parade Official Site [2] 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, Yuuya Endo and Seto Kouji.
Shirota's appeared on a radio show on FM Osaka 851, performing live on October 7th, 2006.
===With the D-Boys===

Shirota, with other D-Boy members, on the cover of the ''Start!'' photobook

In October 2004, Shirota joined the Watanabe Entertainment group, the D-BOYS.
As a member of the D-Boys, Shirota also keeps a blog, which he updates occasionally.
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 ''D-Boys'', while the second, released on March 15th, 2006, was called ''Start'', both which contain many photos of Shirota.
He's also hosted a radio show called ''"Marvelous Radio Vibration"'' with fellow D-Boys member, Kotaroh 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 [3] in which Shirota's appeared in multiple episodes as himself. The show was 23 episodes long and ran from April 10th to September 25th, 2006.
In June 2007, the D-Boys will also be starring in their very own musical together called, ''D-BOYS STAGE'',D-BOYS STAGE Official Website [4] which will run from June 3rd to June 10th at the Space Zero theater in Tokyo. Shirota will only be appearing in the musical 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 2nd, 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 shows he performed in included:Shirota's Run as Tuxedo Mask [5]

★ 2002 Musical Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Aki no Fan Kansha Event

★ 2003 Winter Special Musical Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Mugen Gakuen - Mistress Labyrinth (Kaiteiban)

★ 2003 Musical Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon GW Fan Kansha Event

★ 2003 Summer Special Musical Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Starlights
★ Ryuusei Densetsu

★ 2003 Musical Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Aki no Fan Kansha Event

★ 2004 Winter Special Musical Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Kakyuu-Ouhi Kourin THE SECOND STAGE FINAL

★ 2004 Summer Special Musical Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Shin - Kaguya Shima Densetsu Golden Week Fan Kansha Event

★ 2004 Summer Special Musical Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Shin - Kaguya Shima Densetsu NEW LEGEND OF KAGUYA ISLAND
The ''2004 New Legend of Kaguya Island'' was Shirota's last performance as Tuxedo Kamen. That night, on September 5th, 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 before Shirota.
===As Kunimitsu Tezuka in The Prince of Tennis Musicals===

Shirota as Tezuka in the Hyotei Tenimyu

After his role as Tuxedo Kamen, Shirota won the role of Kunimitsu Tezuka, the stoic captain of Seigaku Middle School's tennis club. And from 2005 to 2006, he became the third actor to play Tezuka in The Prince of Tennis Musicals. He made his first debut as Tezuka on January 8th, 2005 in the ''Winter 2004-2005 Side Yamabuki'' performance in Osaka. That same year, his role as Tezuka was carried into the live adaptation film of the anime/manga. During his run in the musicals, he was able to work with fellow D-Boys members, Yuya Endo, Kotaroh Yanagi, Masaki Kaji, Hiroki Suzuki, Hirofumi Araki, Masato Wada, and former D-Boys member, Osamu Adachi.
He performed, as Tezuka, 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
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 Seigaku cast, graduated from their roles.

Shirota in a promotional image for ''The Prince of Tennis Movie''

===As Kunimitsu Tezuka in The Prince of Tennis Live-Action Film===
Shirota was able to carry on his role as Kunimitsu Tezuka from the musicals to the live-adaptation film of the anime/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.

As Natsumi in ''June Bride''

Shirota's next movie, the ''June Bride''June Bride Official Site [6] opened on May 27, 2006. He played the title character, Natsumi and starred opposite and Kawamura Aki. The movie was based on the original manga ''Jyun Bride'', by Satoshi Yoshida and also costarred Shirota's fellow D-Boys members, Araki Hirofumi and Suzuki Hiroki.
The film also resulted in a made for DVD release sequel, ''Zoku June Bride''.

As Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd

In 2007, after nearly a year away from musicals, Shirota is starring as Anthony Hope, the cheerful young sailor that accompanies Sweeney Todd when they dock from their ship, in the Japanese stage production of the Sweeney ToddJapanese Sweeney Todd Official Site [7] musical. The musical opened on January 5, 2007 and ran through January 29, 2007 at the Nissay Theatre with additional performances during February in Osaka.

Shirota, as Ryuto in ''Dignity of Haken''

As Ryuto Amaya in ''Dignity of Haken''

The next project Shirota was involved in before 2006 ended was the TV drama, '',Haken no Hinkaku Official Site [8] which premiered on January 10th, 2007, on NTV and will end on March 21st, 2007. The drama features Shirota as the half-Spanish Ryuto Amaya, 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 stars Ryoko Shinohara, Kotaro Koizumi, Ai Kato and Yo Oizumi.

As Ken Mizuhara in ''Seito Shokun''

Shirota will next appear in his second TV drama appearance, in the April 2007 drama, '',^[2] which is an adaptation of the manga series, ''Seito Shokun''. The drama will also star Uchiyama Rina, Horikita Maki and Shirota's costar from The Prince of Tennis, Kanata Hongo.

In ''Arakure KNIGHT''

2007 will see Shirota in a string of films. The first will be '',Arakure Knight Official Site [10] 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 28th, 2007.
Shirota will once again act 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)''.
===As Kagurazaka Makita in ''Hanazakari No Kimitachi He (Also known as Hana-Kimi)''===
As well, Shirota is set to appear in the TV drama adaptation of ''Hanazakari No Kimitachi HeHana-Kimi Official Site [11]'', playing the character of Kagurazaka Makita, a high-jumping rival to one of the main characters, Sano Izumi. The drama is set to air on July 3rd, 2007 and will costar with D-Boy member, Shunji Igarashi, as well as Ryo Kimura, Oguri Shun, Horikita Maki and Ikuta Toma.

As Aki in ''Heat Island''

Before October 2006, Shirota finished filming for the movie, ''Heat Island Official Site [12], based on the book of the same title written by Kakine Ryuosuke. Shirota will be playing 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 will be released in the early summer of 2007 and will also costar Keiko Kitagawa, Ryo Kimura, and Naoya Urata. For his role as Aki, Shirota had to sport blonde streaks in his bangs. The first teaser trailer has been released.

In ''Waruboro''

Shirota will be playing a main supporting actor in the film, ''The name is thought to be a pun on the name "Marlboro" [13].'', which will star 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 8th, 2007Waruboro Official Website [14] as principle filmography began on September 20th, 2006. The first trailer has been released as well.

Idol DVD and Photobook

On November 16th, 2005, Shirota released an Idol DVD called ''With U''.With U Official Site [15] The DVD includes an acoustic performance for the song "Natsu no Owari ~ Mou Kako no Koi", which he had composed and written lyrics for.
In September 2007, he will release his first solo photobook collection.

Personal life

In April of 2006, Shirota experienced language study studying abroad for 1 week in the Australian gold coast. His experiences were recorded in the 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 of 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 ''Musical Tennis no Oujisama Advancement Side Rokkaku feat. Hyotei Gakuen'' 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, Janji and is also a member of the band, Alma.