Yuta Tamamori

Yuta Tamamori (Japanese: 玉森 裕太, Hepburn: Tamamori Yūta; born March 17, 1990) is a Japanese singer and actor. He is a member of the boy band Kis-My-Ft2 under Starto Entertainment.

As an actor, he is known for his roles in television dramas such as Gokusen, He is Beautiful, Reverse, and La Grande Maison Tokyo, for which he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Television Drama Academy Awards (for La Grande Maison Tokyo). He has also appeared in films including Parallel World Love Story and Shylock's Children.

In 2023, he provided the Japanese dubbing voice for Wade Ripple in Pixar's Elemental, marking his first major voice-acting role.

In addition to his entertainment career, he has been active in the fashion industry and has attended major fashion events in Europe.

Early life Tamamori was born in Tokyo in 1990 and grew up with his younger brother. His mother was 17 years old at the time of his birth, a fact he has mentioned in interviews when reflecting on his upbringing.

When he was in his first year of junior high school, his mother sent a résumé on his behalf to Johnny & Associates. Although he was initially reluctant to attend the audition, he ultimately went and passed. On December 1, 2002, he joined the agency alongside peers such as Yuya Tegoshi and Hikaru Yaotome.

As a trainee, he appeared on television programs and became a member of several junior groups, including J.J. Express and A.B.C. Jr.

Often described as shy, he continued working as a backup dancer during these years and later became one of the group's central members after their debut.

Acting career Tamamori made his acting debut in the Nippon Television drama Gokusen Graduation Special (2009) and appeared in the film Gokusen: The Movie the same year. The Gokusen series, known for launching the careers of many young actors, was widely popular in Japan.

He gained wider recognition in 2011 for his leading role as the reserved band leader Ren Katsuragi in He is Beautiful, a Japanese adaptation of the Korean series You're Beautiful.

In 2013, he achieved his first starring roles in television dramas with A Chef of Nobunaga, in which he portrayed a modern-day chef transported to the Sengoku period, and Pintokona, where he played the heir to a traditional kabuki acting family. These roles established him as a leading actor.

He continued to expand his range with performances such as a conflicted teacher in Reverse (2017) and a young chef with a troubled past in La Grande Maison Tokyo (2019), where he starred alongside Takuya Kimura. His performance in the latter earned him Best Supporting Actor at the Television Drama Academy Awards.

In 2021, Tamamori appeared in Oh My Boss! Love Not Included as the female lead's love interest. In 2022, he starred in the TV Asahi drama Nice Flight! (July–September), produced in collaboration with Japan Airlines, and in Nippon TV's Patient Chart Prayer (October–December), marking two consecutive lead roles in television dramas that year.

In 2023, he provided the Japanese dubbing voice for the protagonist Wade Ripple in Pixar's Elemental, marking his first major voice-acting role. He was selected for the role through an audition conducted at Pixar's U.S. headquarters and later visited the studio, where he met with director Peter Sohn.

Music career As a central member of Kis-My-Ft2, Tamamori has frequently been featured in the group's performances and media appearances, including songs used as theme music for television dramas in which he has starred.

Within the group, he has performed numerous solo songs and duet songs. His solo works include songs such as "Alive" (2016) and "Share Love" (2021), both of which received dedicated music videos highlighting his individual artistic image.

He has frequently collaborated with fellow Kis-My-Ft2 member Toshiya Miyata on duet songs and related projects, including "Be Love," "Hoshi ni Negai wo," and "Unmei." These works later inspired the television drama Be Love (2020), in which the two appeared together. The partnership between Tamamori and Miyata dates back to their trainee days.

Variety shows In June 2012, Tamamori appeared on the variety program Ikinari! Ougon Densetsu, known for its physically demanding projects. At the time, no talent from Johnny & Associates had previously participated in the program.

He took part in the segment "Celebrity Savings Battle: Living on 10,000 Yen for a Month” (芸能人節約バトル1ヶ月1万円生活 最強No.1決定戦), competing against comedian Shigeo Takahashi and competitive eater Gal Sone. He prepared several dishes centered on onions, including Japanese curry and onion rings, and became known on the program by the nickname "Onion-kun" (Tamanegi-kun). He also prepared handmade noodles and attempted to catch fish during the challenge.

While continuing his regular professional activities, such as concert tours and drama filming, he completed the month-long challenge and ultimately won the contest. The program was widely popular in Taiwan and other parts of Greater China, and his appearance in the challenge attracted attention from overseas audiences.

Public image Influence Since the mid-2010s, Tamamori has often been recognized in Japanese media for his charm and enduring popularity. In ViVi magazine's "National Treasure-Class Handsome Ranking" (Kokuhō-kyū Ikemen Ranking), organized by Kodansha since 2015, he has repeatedly ranked within the top tiers. After appearing in the rankings several times between 2016 and 2018, he later achieved higher recognition in the "Adult" category (for men aged 30 and over), ranking prominently in 2021 and continuing to place in subsequent years.

Tamamori has also been rated favorably in public image surveys conducted by Architect Co., Ltd., which evaluate public awareness and likability of Japanese celebrities through its "Talent Power Ranking" surveys. Throughout the early 2020s, he consistently ranked highly in categories highlighting actors with a clean-cut, refreshing, and approachable image across different age demographics.

As a model

Beyond his acting career, Tamamori is also known for his fair complexion and strong presence in the fashion industry. He frequently appears solo on the covers of fashion magazines, some of which have sold out following their release. In March 2022, he became the ambassador for Lancôme's skincare product Clarifique, a role considered rare for a male celebrity. Later that year, he received the "Most Beautiful Person" Grand Prize at Kodansha's VOCE Best Cosmetics Awards 2022. Tamamori has also expressed a long-standing interest in Cartier accessories since shortly after his debut, and in recent years has been invited to several events hosted by the brand.

Tamamori's involvement in the fashion industry expanded internationally in the 2020s, as he began attending major fashion events in Europe by invitation from luxury brands. His appearances at fashion weeks and exhibitions drew attention to his presence beyond Japan and positioned him as a Japanese celebrity active on the global fashion stage.

His first invitation to a European fashion event came in April 2024, when he attended the From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana exhibition in Milan, Italy, marking a milestone in his overseas activities. He subsequently attended major international fashion events in Europe as a guest, including the AMIRI Spring/Summer 2025 Menswear Fashion Show at Paris Fashion Week in June 2024, the Brunello Cucinelli Fall/Winter 2025 Womenswear Collection presentation at Milan Fashion Week in February 2025, and the Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show in September 2025, where he was seated in the front row.

In addition to his public appearances at fashion events, Tamamori has also been involved in creative work behind the scenes. His activities in fashion-related production were documented in the program Yuta Tamamori Mode, which followed his approach to design and artistic direction.

Endorsements and appearances

Since 2014, Tamamori has served as the spokesperson for the household brand "LAVONS". In connection with this partnership, he has also appeared at events organized by the brand's parent company NatureLab, including performing ceremonial serves at home games of the Tokyo Great Bears volleyball team for three consecutive years from 2024 to 2026.

Stage costumes Building on his fashion-related creative activities, since 2018, Tamamori has been responsible for designing the stage costumes for Kis-My-Ft2, drawing on his strong interest in fashion. In interviews, he has stated that understanding each member allows him to enhance their individual appeal on stage. His design approach often moves beyond the members' assigned colors and incorporates personal motifs, such as floral elements reflecting his fondness for flowers, as well as text used as a visual feature.

Notable examples of his work include the costumes created for the group's 10th anniversary in 2022, which featured the symbol "X," each member's initial, and patchwork elements made from past costumes as a tribute to the group's history. In 2024, he designed jewel-embellished outfits weighing approximately 8 kilograms (18 pounds), demonstrating an emphasis on visual impact. In addition, he has been involved in selecting fabrics and has traveled abroad to source materials personally, including a visit to the Dongdaemun Market in Seoul, South Korea, a major textile hub with thousands of specialty stores, during preparations for the group's 2025 concert costumes.

In addition to concert attire, he designed fashion show–inspired costumes for the music video of the album track "Cheat," which were later used on stage and praised for highlighting each member's individuality.

Personal life Musical inspirations and reflections Tamamori has often spoken about songs and artists that influenced his outlook as a performer. He has expressed a deep attachment to Noriyuki Makihara’s "Boku ga Ichiban Hoshikatta Mono," noting that its message about giving to others resonated strongly with him, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic when his group was unable to perform for audiences for an extended period. He later connected the lyrics to his own work as an idol, saying that the presence of fans is what gives meaning to his activities.

Tamamori is also a fan of British singer-songwriter Anne-Marie. She once appeared as a surprise guest on the group's variety program, performing his favorite song "Perfect," which left him deeply moved. In 2024, he also attended her concert in Tokyo, describing it as an inspiring experience.

Hobby Tamamori has expressed an interest in fishing, nature, and animals. He previously kept a flying squirrel as a pet and has spoken about enjoying time with his family's dog. He surfed frequently as a child due to his family's interest in the sport but later reduced his surfing activities after being advised to avoid tanning during his trainee years.

Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2009 Reita Takasugi 2012 Shiritsu Bakaleya Kōkō — The Movie Kenji Mashima 2013 Ataru – The Movie: the First Love & the Last Kill Noboru Ebina 2015 World of Delight Nobuyuki Sakisaka Leading role 2019 Parallel World Love Story Takashi Tsuruga Leading role 2023 Shylock's Children Yōji Tabata 2024 La Grande Maison Paris Shohei Hirako

Television series Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2009 Gokusen Reita Takasugi 2011 The Marriage Counselor Yūji Yanagisawa He is Beautiful Ren Katsuragi Leading role 2012 The Best Way to End a Life: Ending Planner Yōichirō Kuraki Episodes 1 and 2 Ataru Noboru Ebina 2013 Pintokona Kyōnosuke Kawamura / Takeshi Kawamura Leading role 2013–14 A Chef of Nobunaga Ken Leading role; 2 seasons 2014 Tales of the Unusual: Spring 2014 Masashi Akita 2015 War of Money Shiraishi Kotaro Youth Detective Haruya Asagi Haruya Leading role 2017 Reverse Kosuke Asami Key Person of Interest Detective Kei Maneki Leading role 2019 Tales of the Unusual: Rain 2019 Hijiri Kuroki La Grande Maison Tokyo Shōhei Hirako Gura Gura Maison Tokyo Shōhei Hirako Leading role 2020 Be Love Picture book writer Leading role 2021 Oh My Boss! Love Not Included Junnosuke Horai 2022 Nice Flight! Sui Kurata Leading role Patient Chart Prayer Ryōta Suwano Leading role 2024 I Wanna Punch That Scumbag! Kairi Kuzuya La Grande Maison Tokyo Special Shohei Hirako 2026Gift Sora Sakamoto My Fiction Masaki Igawa Leading role

Documentary Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2025 Yuta Tamamori Mode Himself Amazon Prime Video; worldwide distribution

Japanese Dub

Stage Dream Boy YearTitleRoleVenueNote 2004 Dream Boy a boy in a wheelchair Imperial Theatre 2006 Dream Boys Imperial Theatre 2007 Dream Boys Imperial Theatre 2008 Dream Boys Imperial Theatre 2012 Dream Boys Yuta (Champ) Imperial Theatre Semi-leading role 2013 Dream Boys Jet Tamamori Imperial Theatre Leading role 2014 Dream Boys Yuta Imperial Theatre Leading role 2015 Dream Boys Yuta Imperial Theatre Leading role 2016 Dream Boys Yuta Imperial Theatre Leading role 2018 Dream Boys Yuta Imperial Theatre Leading role

Other Stage Plays

Discography

Solo and small group songs

Awards and nominations Year Work Award Category Result Refs 2011 He is Beautiful The 15th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (GP) Best Actor 2013 A Chef of Nobunaga 82nd The Television Drama Academy Awards Best Actor 2015 Youth Detective Haruya 87nd The Television Drama Academy Awards Best Actor 2017 Reverse TV Station Drama Awards 2017 Best Supporting Actor Key Person of Interest Detective 95th The Television Drama Academy Awards Best Actor 2019 La Grande Maison Tokyo 103rd The Television Drama Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor 29th TV LIFE Annual Drama Award Best Supporting Actor 2021Oh My Boss! Love Not Included 107th The Television Drama Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor 2022 Nice Flight! 113th The Television Drama Academy Awards Best Actor VOCE Best Cosmetics Award 2022 Special Award Most Beautiful Person Yuta Tamamori

Public and promotional activities

Public activities Cartier (November 23, 2021) Selected as one of the Cartier Friend of the Maison. (April 7, 2022) Attended Sixième Sens par Cartier high jewelry event in Kyoto, Japan. (September 2–19, 2022) Appeared at the Panthère de Cartier pop-up in Omotesandō, Tokyo. (October 30, 2024) Attended the Trinity 100 Celebration Party held at Japan National Stadium, marking the 100th anniversary of Cartier's Trinity line; also narrated the Trinity 100 pop-up exhibition in Omotesandō, Tokyo. (September 18, 2025) Attended the opening event of the Cartier Ginza 4-chome Boutique, Tokyo. (October 22 – November 3, 2025) Served as the audio guide narrator for the immersive exhibition Into the Wild, exploring the history and creative world of the Maison's iconic Panthère, held at Maison de Panthère, the former Cartier Ginza 2-chome boutique. (December 2025) Appeared as a Friend of the Maison at Cartier's holiday pop-up The Art of Gifting in Ginza, Tokyo. (April 2026) Featured in Cartier’s visual series for the Clash de Cartier collection, highlighting the theme of inner beauty through symbolic jewelry.

Lancôme (February 8, 2021) Appeared at the Lancôme Clarifique Dual Essence Lotion 1st Anniversary Press Conference. (March 1, 2022) Appointed ambassador "Mr. Clarifique" for Clarifique Dual Essence.

Bottega Veneta (March 28, 2024) Attended the opening reception of Bottega Veneta and Photographer Alec Soth’s Photo Exhibition "Tokyo Playtime" with Taisuke Fujigaya. (September 27, 2025) Attended the Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2026 show at Milan Fashion Week, seated in the front row.

AMIRI (June 20, 2024) Attended the Amiri Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show at Paris Fashion Week, seated in the front row.

Dolce and Gabbana (April 6, 2024) Attended the opening of From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana exhibition in Milan, Italy.

Commercials Nature Lab Co., Ltd. – "LAVONS" (since September 2014) – liquid fabric conditioner etc. Line – "Line Poko Poko" (LINE ポコポコ) – (2016 with Toshiya Miyata) Unicharm – flooring wiper "Wave" (From October 2019 to 2021) Manyo Factory Corp. – as "Ma:nyo" brand ambassador (From August 2024 to 2025)

Events Off Mode, a worldwide streaming–release commemorative event for Yuta Tamamori Mode — Osaka on January 26, 2025; Tokyo on January 28, 2025.

Social media and online activities Official Instagram was opened on January 10, 2023. After School Gaming Life – (The title was changed from "Johnny's Gaming Room" Oct. 2023 ) – (December 16, 2021 - ) – Tamamori serves as one of the main host members along with Toshiya Miyata and Daiki Arioka.