voice actor
Voice acting is the art of Acting, performing a character or providing information to an audience with one's voice. Performers are often called voice actors/actresses in addition to other names. Examples of voice work include animation, animated, ...
and singer. He is known for his role as Jenath Dira in the ''
Get Ride! Amdriver
''AM Driver'', known in Japan as , is an anime series produced by Studio Deen, TV Tokyo and Nihon Ad Systems. It is directed by Yūji Yamaguchi, with Satoshi Namiki handling series composition, Eiji Suganuma designing the characters and Ka ...
''
anime
is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...
The Prince of Tennis
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takeshi Konomi. The manga was serialized in Shueisha's ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from July 1999 to March 2008, with its chapters collected in 42 volumes. Viz Media licensed t ...
'' musical series,
Tenimyu
, also known as for short, is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on the manga series ''The Prince of Tennis'' created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''.
The first music ...
Eyeshield 21
is a Japanese manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata. The series tells the story of Sena Kobayakawa, an introverted boy who joins an American football club as a secretary, but after being coerced by q ...
''. He is currently employed by Production Ogi. His
blood type
A blood type (also known as a blood group) is based on the presence and absence of antibody, antibodies and Heredity, inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). These antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates, glycop ...
is B.
Career
He works primarily in stage productions, but has appeared in a few movies and television series and has lent his voice to a few anime series.
As Jenath Dira in ''Get Ride! Amdriver''
In 2004, Kujirai earned his first acting role, voicing the main character, Jenath Dira, in the anime television series ''Get Ride! Amdriver''.Get Ride! Amdriver Official Site /ref>
He then later released a CD single for the series when he performed the second opening theme song to the show called ''READY?''.
As Kaoru Kaidoh in The Prince of Tennis Musicals
Kujirai won the role of Kaoru Kaidoh, the viper-like 2nd year regular of
Seigaku
''The Prince of Tennis'' manga and anime series has a large cast of fictional characters created by Takeshi Konomi; many have appeared in the musical and film adaptations. The cast of the series is largely made up of the members of the various ...
Middle School's tennis club, in the ''
Prince of Tennis
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takeshi Konomi. The manga was serialized in Shueisha's ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from July 1999 to March 2008, with its chapters collected in 42 volumes. Viz Media licensed t ...
'' musical series,
Tenimyu
, also known as for short, is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on the manga series ''The Prince of Tennis'' created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''.
The first music ...
. From 2005 to 2006, he became the second actor to play Kaidoh as a member of the second generation Seigaku cast. He made his debut as Kaidoh on January 8, 2005 in the ''Side Yamabuki'' performance in
Osaka
is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...
. That same year, his role as Kaidoh was carried into the live adaptation film of the manga. On March 29, 2006, in the ''Dream Live 3rd'' live concert, he, along with the majority of the Seigaku cast, graduated from their roles.
However, Kujirai returned to play Kaidoh for the slated August 2006 ''Advancement Match Rokkaku'' musical, because actor Takahiro Tasaki, who was originally slated to play Kaidoh in the Rokkaku musical, left the production to pursue other opportunities; Kujirai was brought back as Tasaki's substitute. Afterwards, the role of Kaidoh was played by
Tomo Yanagishita
is a Japanese former actor. He was a member of the acting group D-Boys. Yanagishita joined the unit D-Date (D☆DATE) of the same agency as a new member. It was announced at the last performance of the live tour in Tokyo Dome City Hall on June 2 ...
Seigaku
''The Prince of Tennis'' manga and anime series has a large cast of fictional characters created by Takeshi Konomi; many have appeared in the musical and film adaptations. The cast of the series is largely made up of the members of the various ...
Regulars, were able to reprise their roles in the movie. The only major casting change was the casting of
Kanata Hongo
Kanata may refer to:
People
*, Japanese voice actress
*, Japanese actor, voice actor and model
*, Japanese actor, musician and fashion model
*, a multi-platinum songwriter
*, Japanese manga artist
Fictional characters
* Kanata Asumi, the main cha ...
as
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 Tournamen ...
, the main protagonist.
''The Prince of Tennis'' was released on May 13, 2006 and opened on the tenth spot in the Japanese Box Office.
In the ''Byakkotai'' TV Drama
Kujirai appeared in the TV Asahi movie drama, ''Byakkotai'', starring Yamashita Tomohisa and Tanaka Koki which was broadcast on January 6 and 7, 2007.
In ''Arakure KNIGHT''
In 2007, Kujirai appeared in the film, ',Arakure Knight Official Site /ref> the live-action movie adaptation of the 1982 to 1988 manga series, ''Aratanaru Shobaku'' by Satosi Yoshida. The film was released in April 2007.
Kujirai once again appeared alongside former
Tenimyu
, also known as for short, is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on the manga series ''The Prince of Tennis'' created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''.
The first music ...
Yoshikazu Kotani
(born March 25, 1982) is a Japanese actor and singer. He played Takashi Kawamura in ''The Prince of Tennis'' musical series, Tenimyu and the live film adaptation.
Career
Kotani played a transvestite in ''TKO Hip Hop''.Kenta Kamakari
is a Japanese actor, voice actor and singer, famous for his role as Ryo Shishido in the '' Prince of Tennis Musical''s. He was hospitalized on April 21, 2007, and was unable to play the role of Minami Itsuki in '' Musical Air Gear'' vs. Bacch ...
.
Personal life
Kujirai keeps a personal blog, which he updates regularly.
Filmography
Discography
Album
Kujirai released a mini-album on October 6, 2004, called ''Ready?'' for the anime television show, ''Get Ride! Amdriver''. The song, ''Ready?'', was recorded for the show's second opening theme song.
Album Stats
Album was released for the ''Get Ride! Amdriver'' anime television show in Japan (JPN), only.
Track Listings
Track Listings for the ''Ready?'' Album:
#"Ready?"
#"Vivid"
#"Ready? (Karaoke)"
#"Vivid (Karaoke)"
Stage
* 2006 as Ishimori Kenkichi in ''Yoisho! no Kamisama''
* 2006 as Hibino Shuuichi in'
Musicals
TENIMYU: THE PRINCE OF TENNIS MUSICAL SERIES (as Kaoru Kaido)
* ''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)
* ''The Prince of Tennis Musical'': Advancement Match Rokkaku feat. Hyotei Gakuen (2006)
MUSICAL DEAR BOYS (as Osamu Igarashi)
* ''Musical Dear Boys'' (2007)
* ''Musical Dear Boys – VS East Honmoku'' (2008)
Rock Musical BLEACH (as Renji Abarai)
*''Rock Musical BLEACH'' (scheduled for July 2011)
See also
*
Tenimyu
, also known as for short, is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on the manga series ''The Prince of Tennis'' created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''.
The first music ...
*
The Prince of Tennis
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takeshi Konomi. The manga was serialized in Shueisha's ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from July 1999 to March 2008, with its chapters collected in 42 volumes. Viz Media licensed t ...
Movie
*
The Place Promised in Our Early Days
is a 2004 Japanese animated dystopian drama film written, produced, cinematographed, directed and edited by Makoto Shinkai in his feature film debut. Set over several years in an alternate history where Japan was divided after the Soviet U ...
*
The Prince of Tennis
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takeshi Konomi. The manga was serialized in Shueisha's ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from July 1999 to March 2008, with its chapters collected in 42 volumes. Viz Media licensed t ...