Yūki Kubota

is a Japanese actor and model whose work has included stage, television and film roles. He is best known as the character Takatora Kureshima / Kamen Rider Zangetsu / Kamen Rider Zangetsu Shin in the Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Gaim. He is currently affiliated with the Japan Music Entertainment agency.

Career Kubota debuted as a magazine model in 2002 after being scouted in Harajuku. In 2007, he made his theatrical debut as Hal Kurabayashi in the stage play Switch, based on the manga of the same name. Also in the same year he got small roles in TV series such as Oniyome Nikki and Jotei, as well as a brief appearance in Kamen Rider: The Next. A year later he got the part of Keigo Atobe in the stage play Prince of Tennis Musical. In 2009, he starred in the stage adaptation of Capcom's video game Sengoku Basara as Date Masamune. After playing the character for four years, he transitioned to a broader career in films and TV.

In 2010, Kubota got his first main role in the movie Gachinko Kenka Joto. On January 31, 2012, he left his agency of two years, Riseki Agency Co., Ltd., for personal reasons. After freelancing for ten months, he joined Japan Music Entertainment at the end of November 2012. In 2013, he was given the role of Takatora Kureshima/Kamen Rider Zangetsu in the tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Gaim (2013–14). Since then, he has appeared in various TV shows and movies, including Shinjuku Swan, and in V-Cinema films. He has played a wide range of characters, from geeks to killers, although he has played mostly antagonist and rival roles. He claimed to prefer playing bad guys and dark heroes.

He is a fan and avid supporter of the local Hiratsuka soccer team Shonan Bellmare and, in April 2015, was appointed to Berusapo Public Relations Office as General Manager of Shonan Living Newspaper that supported the team's activities.

In 2018, he returned to the theater, appearing in the stage plays Gantz: L and Hachioji Zombies, the latter alongside Kenjiro Yamashita from Sandaime J Soul Brothers. In 2019, he reprised his role as Takatora Kureshima/Kamen Rider Zangetsu in the stage play Kamen Rider Zangetsu - Gaim Gaiden.

In addition to acting roles, Kubota has participated in a number of TV variety shows. He was the Monday host of TV Kanagawa's information programme Neko no Hitai Hodo Wide from April 2019 to March 2020. He also directed a promotional video for the stage play Psycho-Pass: Chapter 1 - Crime Coefficient.

On September 30, 2020, he officially launched his YouTube channel "久保田悠来の悠給休暇 (Yuki Kubota's Paid Vacation)" which to date primarily posts Let's Play videos of multiplayer online games.

In May 2021, he had a minor role as a radio staff named Shinomiya on the NHK drama Ochoyan and made a good impression on viewers that the name "Shinomiya-san" became trending on Japanese Twitter.

In January 2022, he made his directorial debut for the 2022 version of Basara stage play.

Personal life

He has an easygoing personality and often cracks jokes during interviews. Kubota stated that he was nothing like the character Takatora Kureshima he portrayed in the series Kamen Rider Gaim.

Filmography

TV shows Year Title Role Network Other notes 2007 Oniyome Nikki Pick-up artist Fuji TV Episode 2 Jotei Black clothes man TV Asahi Episodes 4–5 2008 Gokusen Club host Nihon TV Episode 4 2011 Garo: Makai Senki Juran TV Tokyo Episode 9 2013 TAKE FIVE - Oretachi wa Ai wo Nusumeru ka Tachibana TBS Episodes 5–6 Kamen Rider Gaim Takatora Kureshima / Kamen Rider Zangetsu / Kamen Rider Shin Zangetsu TV Asahi 2014 Ressha Sentai ToQger Vs. Kamen Rider Gaim Spring Vacation Combining Special Takatora Kureshima / Kamen Rider Shin Zangetsu TV Asahi 2015 Keibuho Sugiyama Shintaro (Daddy Detective) Tatsuya Aragaki TBS Naniwa Kin'yūdō Kenta Kurozumi Fuji TV Do S Deka Takashi Kaitou NTV Episode 10Konkatsu Deka Masashi Shiina Yomiuri TV Episode 1Detective Catherine Detective Suzuki TV Asahi 2016 Detective Catherine: The Disappeared Heir Detective Suzuki TV Asahi Ya-san - From Tsukiji! Delicious Case Book Kentaro Nitta TV Tokyo Final episode 2017 Kasouken no Onna Season 16 Teruto Koda TV Asahi Episode 10 Kirawareru Yūki Takamasa Kondō Fuji TV Episodes 9–10 Sanbiki no Ossan - Seigi no Mikata, Mitabi! Taiga TV Tokyo Episode 8Uchu Sentai Kyuranger Scorpio TV Asahi Episodes 5, 12–13, 15–21Thrill! The Black Chapter Mitsuru Kawada NHK BS Premium Episode 4Tomodachi Game (Friends Games) Ren Tōjō TV Kanagawa Code Name: Mirage Thunder / Ryosuke Muto TV Tokyo Episodes 7-25 Minshuu no Teki (The Public Enemy) Takahiro Abe Fuji TV Episodes 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 2018 Mob Psycho 100 Kenji Mitsuura TV Tokyo The Count of Monte Cristo: Gorgeous Revenge Naoki Ushiyama Fuji TV Episodes 3–9 Signal Detective Sasaki Fuji TV Episodes 8–9 2019 Meiji Tokyo Renka Fujita Gorō TV Kanagawa, U-NEXT Two Weeks Yu Mamiya Kansai TV (Fuji Network System) Adaptation of the Korean drama Two Weeks Sherlock: Untold Stories Masaki Shibata Fuji TV Episode 8 2020 Hachioji Zombies Jin MXTV Rentaru Nanmo Nai Hito no Nanmo Shinakatta Hanashi Bartender TV Tokyo Episode 12 Ano Ko no Yume wo Mitan desu Marketing staff TV Tokyo Episode 5 2021 Metropolitan Police Department Law Enforcement Officer Akira Higuchi Michio Araki TV Tokyo Final episode Ochoyan Kazuo Shinomiya NHK Episodes 101, 105–112 Keishichō Sōsaikkachō (Police Department Investigation Division Chief) Season 5 Shunsuke Mizoguchi TV Asahi Episode 3 Love Phantom Yu Fukami MBS TV Episodes 3–10 Avalanche Shingo Nagai Kansai TV Episode 2 Odoribanite (At the Landing) Satoru Miyauchi Fuji TV 33rd Young Scenario Award Grand Prize 2022 Oi Hansamu!! Tatsuya Tōkai TV / Fuji TV Episodes 1–3, 8 Don't Call It Mystery Haya Inudou Fuji TV Episodes 1–3, 11–12 Fishbowl Wives Jun Netflix Kasouken no Onna Season 21 Yoshihiko Yamagami TV Asahi Special episode Kaseifu no Mitazono (Mr Housekeeper, Mitazono) Season 5 Yukio Tsuzuki TV Asahi Episode 4 Special Investigation Department 9 (Tokusō 9) Season 5 Kazuki Shimada TV Asahi Episode 10 PopUP! Afternoon Women's Drama Kosuke Saeki Fuji TV Episode 4 Zennin Nagaya Higoi no Denhachi NHK BS Premium (BS4K) Episode 2 Teppachi! Takayuki Ōki Fuji TV Episodes 7 - 11 Ikemen-domo yo Meshi o Kue Aoyama TV Osaka / BSTV Tokyo Episode 8 Silent Nezu Fuji TV 2023 Nankai Trough Megaquake Drama Mikami NHK NHK Special Kimichika Kazama - Kyoujo 0 Kentaro Ashizawa Fuji TV Episode 1 Ikukyuu Deka Sho Endo NHK Episode 5 Hayabusa Fire Brigade Yasunori Asano TV Asahi Episode 5 Hyena Yuya Enomoto TV Tokyo Adaptation of South Korean drama series Hyena 2024Happy of the EndKajiFuji TV

Films Year Title Role Other notes2007 Dear Friends Club patron Kamen Rider: The Next Tourist Epilogue2009 Randies Masami Kasuga 2010 Gachinko Kenka Jōtō (High School War - Throwdown!) Satoshi Saeki Local Boys! Tohru 2011 Gangsta Riki Shiraishi Kōshōnin Dōmoto Reiji Reiji Dōmoto V-Cinema An Assassin Shunichi Misaki 2012 Kirin: Point of No Return Chosuke Shi Gata Futari Wowakatsumade... Chapter 1: Iro no Nai Ao cameo Happiness in Little Place Renji Ogawa 2013 Garo: Soukoku no Maryu Kakashi Kyūkyoku!! Hentai Kamen Reporter Hadaka no Itoko Takeshi Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Gaim & Wizard: The Fateful Sengoku Movie Battle Takatora Kureshima/Kamen Rider Zangetsu Yokohama Story Yuuya Tanabe 2014 Heisei Rider vs. Shōwa Rider: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai Takatora Kureshima/Kamen Rider Zangetsu Shin, Kamen Rider Shin (Voice) Boku to 23-nin no Dorei (Tokyo Slaves) Shinjuku Seiya Magic Night Nasuka Kamen Rider Gaim: Great Soccer Battle! Golden Fruits Cup! Takatora Kureshima/Kamen Rider Shin Zangetsu Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Drive & Gaim: Movie War Full Throttle Takatora Kureshima/Kamen Rider Zangetsu/Kamen Rider Shin Zangetsu 2015 Shinjuku Swan Yosuke Gaim Gaiden: Kamen Rider Zangetsu/Kamen Rider Baron Takatora Kureshima / Kamen Rider Shin Zangetsu V-CinemaKiri: The Chronicles of a Professional Killer Ryo Uchimura Summers The Movie: Angel Ito Mr. Maxman Takatoshi Kanda Wasureyuki Narumi Directed by South Korean director Han Sang-Hee, and starring Chansung, member of the Korean boy band 2PMGaim Gaiden: Kamen Rider Duke/Kamen Rider Knuckle Takatora Kureshima / Kamen Rider Zangetsu / Kamen Rider Zangetsu Shin V-Cinema 2016 Trumpet on the Cliff Kōichi Directed by South Korean director Han Sang-Hee, and starring Byung Hun (L. Joe), past member of the Korean boy band Teen Top.Bros. Maxman Takatoshi Kanda Love is a Dog from Hell Directed by Edmund Yeo. Screened at 20th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, and at 2017 Yubari International Fantastic Film FestivalSCOOP! Ryū Ishiwatari Derushine: El Shuriken vs Shin Konchū Deathquito Kōji Higashi 2017 Shinjuku Swan II Yosuke NY Maxman Takatoshi Kanda Tomodachi Game Gekijoban Ren Tōjō Karada no Uttara Sayonara (Love for Sale) Rei Tomodachi Game Gekijoban: FINAL Ren Tōjō Uchu Sentai Kyuranger: Episode of Stinger Scorpio V-Cinema 2018 Misoji Onna wa Romanchikku na Yume wo Miru ka? Takuto Kazama Futatsu no Kinō to Boku no Mirai Kenzō Kurokawa 2019 Meiji Tokyo Renka Fujita Gorō Gozen Masaki Kazuma Tokyo Wine Party People Murasaki Sakuragi's father Special appearanceDoubt - Usotsuki Otoko wa Dare? Kazumi Kagami BLACKFOX: Age of the Ninja Shigetsugu Toda Web-distributed, live action spin-off of the anime Blackfox2020 Hachioji Zombies Jin Gaim Gaiden: Kamen Rider Gridon vs. Kamen Rider Bravo Takatora Kureshima / Kamen Rider Zangetsu / Kamen Rider Gridon Web-release miniseries2024 Samurai Detective Onihei: Blood for Blood Koheiji Sawada The Quiet Yakuza 2: Part 1 Toshiki Kawaji The Quiet Yakuza 2: Part 2 Toshiki Kawaji

Theatrical Performances Year(s) Title Role Notes 2007 Switch Hal Kurabayashi September 20–23, 2007, at Differ Ariake 2008 - 2010 Prince of Tennis Musical Keigo Atobe The Imperial Presence Hyotei feat. Higa (July 29 - September 15, 2008, at Nippon Seinenkan Hall) The Treasure Match Shitenhouji feat. Hyotei (December 13, 2008 - March 31, 2009, at Nippon Seinenkan Hall) Dream Live 6th (May 2–3, 2009, at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium; May 9–10, 2009, at Kobe World Hall) The Final Match Rikkai First feat. Shitenhouji (July 30 - October 4, 2009, at Nippon Seinenkan Hall) The Final Match Rikkai Second feat. The Rivals (December 17, 2009 - March 14, 2010, at Nippon Seinenkan Hall) Dream Live 7th (May 7–9, 2010, at Kobe World Hall; May 20–23, 2010, at Yokohama Arena) 2008 - 2009 THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT Alan Premiere (October 31 - November 3, 2008, at Theater Green BOX in BOX THEATER) Replay (April 9–12, 2009, at Minami-osawa Cultural Hall) 2009 Bakumatsu Taiyou-den Okada Izō January 29 - February 1, 2009, at Kichijoji Theater 2009 - 2013 Butai Sengoku Basara Date Masamune Sengoku Basara (July 3–12, 2009, at Theater G-Rosso) Sengoku Basara - Soukou Kyoutou (April 9–18, 2010, at Sunshine Theater) Sengoku Basara 3 (October 14–16, 2011, at Ion Keshohin Theater BRAVA!; October 23–30, 2011, at Theater G-Rosso) Sengoku Basara 2 (May 11–15, 2012, at Le Theatre Ginza; May 19–20, 2012, at Ion Keshohin Theater BRAVA!; June 2–3, 2012, at Chunichi Theatre) Sengoku Basara 3 - Setouchi Hibiki Arashi (November 2–11, 2012, at Tokyo Dome City Hall; November 16–18, 2012, at Nippon Seinenkan Big Hall; May 23–26, 2012, at Morinomiya Piloti Hall) Butai Sengoku Basara Bushou Matsuri 2013 (July 13–14, 2013, at Ariake Coliseum) 2009 Sora no Kyōkai: Okada Izō Ibun Okada Izō August 27–30, 2009, at Theater Green BIG TREE THEATER 2009 Existence: Episode 0 Hikaru December 5–7, 2009, at Rikkoukai Hall 2010 - 2012 Hanasakeru Seishōnen Lee-Leng Huang The Budding Beauty (September 29 - October 6, 2010, at Sogetsu Hall) The Budding Beauty in the Oriental Blue Wind (February 16–27, 2011, at Sogetsu Hall) The Blooming Princess Special Event (November 26–27, 2011, at Harajuku Quest Hall) The Blooming Princess (Raginei Revolution) (January 13–15, 2012, at Sunshine Theater) The Blooming Princess (Love and Fate) (January 17–18, 2012, at Sunshine Theater) 2010 BUTLER x BATTLER - Gekidō no toki o koete, seiya no okurimono Eisuke Nishikata December 22–26, 2010, at Theater 1010 2011 AND ENDLESS 15th Anniversary Special Program vol. 1 Okada Izō March 27 - May 5, 2011, at Zenshinza 2012 A Study in Scarlet (Recitation Drama) Watson / Holmes September 30 - October 11, 2012, at Tennozu Ginga Theater 2012 Basara Ageha December 12–16, 2012, at Zenrosai Hall / Space Zero 2015 Love Letters Andy January 10, 2015, at Zepp Blue Theater Roppongi 2018 GANTZ: L - ACT & ACTION STAGE Shion Izumi January 26 - February 4, 2018, at Tennozu Ginga Theater 2018 Hachioji Zombies Jin August 5–18, 2018, at TBS Akasaka ACT Theater 2019 Kamen Rider Zangetsu - Gaim Gaiden Takatora Kureshima / Kamen Rider Zangetsu March 9–24, 2019, at Nippon Seinenkan Hall; March 28–31, 2019, at Kyoto Theater 2019 Reading Theater 'Dark Alice'''

Reading Theater - The Prince of the Stars (January 12, 2021, at Sunshine Theater) Reading Theater - Night Flight (January 16, 2021, at Sunshine Theater) January 13–23, 2022, at Theater Sun Mall. Yuki Kubota also directed the performance June 24–27, at Nippon Seinenkan Hall July 2–3, at Higashi Osaka Cultural Hall - Dream House Grand Hall