# Hirofumi Araki

Hirofumi Araki (荒木 宏文, Araki Hirofumi, born June 14, 1983) is a Japanese actor and singer associated with Watanabe Entertainment. He is a member of the acting troupe D-Boys and the leader of its pop unit D-Date. As an actor, Araki has been involved in many theater and television projects, notably starring in Musical: The Prince of Tennis, Juken Sentai Gekiranger, and Musical: Touken Ranbu. In 2015, Araki made his solo debut with his single Next Stage.

## Career

In October 2004, Araki joined the Watanabe Entertainment group named the D-Boys. On April 27, 2005, they have released a photobook entitled D-Boys, while the second, released on March 15, 2006, was called Start. Araki has appeared in various TV shows, debuting in the TV drama The Hit Parade as a member of The Tigers. The show, which aired on May 26, 2006 on Fuji TV, also starred his fellow D-Boys members Masato Wada, Yuu Shirota, Masaki Kaji, Hiroki Suzuki, Yuuya Endo and Kōji Seto. Araki also appeared on a Japanese radio program for BAY FM with fellow D-Boys member Kōji Seto on October 14, 2006.
Araki's acting career took off when he portrayed Sadaharu Inui, the "data-tennis" regular of Seigaku Middle School's tennis club in the Prince of Tennis musicals, Tenimyu. He became the second actor to play Inui as part of the second-generation Seigaku cast. He made his debut on January 8, 2005 in the Side Yamabuki performance in Osaka. During his run in the musicals, he worked with fellow D-Boys members Yuya Endo, Kotaro Yanagi, Masaki Kaji, Hiroki Suzuki, Osamu Adachi, Masato Wada, and former member Yu Shirota. Araki reprised his role in the live-adaptation film of the Prince of Tennis manga series. He, along with most of the principal cast members for the Seigaku Regulars, reprised their roles in the movie, while Kanata Hongō was cast as Ryoma Echizen, the main protagonist. On March 29, 2006, at the end of the final Dream Live 3rd show, Araki and majority of the Seigaku cast graduated from their roles. After his graduation, he was succeeded by Masei Nakayama in portraying Inui.
The D-Boys starred in their own drama documentary variety series called, DD-Boys in which Araki has appeared in a few episodes as himself. The show has 24 episodes and ran from April 10 to September 25, 2006. Araki appeared in the film June Bride based on the manga of the same name by Yoshida Satoshi. He played one of the supporting characters and co-starred with fellow D-Boys members Shirota and Suzuki.
In June 2006, Araki acted onstage in the play Limit: What Is Your Story?, where he appeared with fellow D-Boys members Suzuki and Yuichi Nakamura. On February 18, 2007, Araki starred in the Super Sentai series Juken Sentai Gekiranger as the main villain Rio, a former student of the Gekijuken Beast Arts whose motivation of becoming strong resulted in him turning his back on his teacher as he becomes leader of the revived Rinjuken Akugata. The show also co-stars Hirofumi's fellow D-Boys member Suzuki as Rio's rival and the series protagonist, Jan Kandō/GekiRed.
It was announced in early 2007 that Araki, along with D-Boys members Suzuki and Kōji Seto would be getting solo photobooks and DVDs called the "Prince Series". Araki's solo photobook was released on April 19, 2007, while his solo idol DVD was released on May 16, 2007. A "Prince Series" trading card set featuring all three boys shortly followed the release of the books and DVDs. In June 2007, the D-Boys starred in their very own musical together called, D-Boys Stage, which ran from June 3 to 10 at the Space Zero theater in Tokyo. Araki appeared in the musical as a guest performer, making select appearances on June 6 and 9.
Araki's second photobook, entitled "Always By Your Side" was released in May 2008. It was brought out simultaneously with Suzuki's second photobook despite being separate from the "Prince Series", most likely to highlight on the boys' success in Juken Sentai Gekiranger. A limited-edition trading card set featuring both Araki and Suzuki was released on September 27, 2008 to coincide with their recent books.

## Personal life

Araki keeps a blog on his D-Boys webpage, which he updates frequently. He is very close friends with fellow D-Boys members Hiroki Suzuki, Kōji Seto, Masaki Kaji, Masato Wada, and Osamu Adachi.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | Kwaidan: Eternal Love | Townsman | |
| 2006 | The Prince of Tennis | Sadaharu Inui | |
| 2006 | June Bride | Yoshitake | |
| 2007 | Juken Sentai Gekiranger: Nei-Nei! Hou-Hou! Hong Kong Decisive Battle | Rio / Black Lion Rio | |
| 2008 | Juken Sentai Gekiranger vs Boukenger | Rio / Black Lion Rio | |
| 2008 | Asymmetry | Shin'ichirō Tatsumi | Lead role |
| 2008 | Shakariki! | Bandman | |
| 2008 | 1 Month Like Summer Vacation | Junya Kashiwagi | Lead role |
| 2008 | Ōoku Ukie Hiren | Ukishima | Lead role; part of Taiga Roman Trilogy |
| 2009 | 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope | Britney | |
| 2009 | BeatRock☆Love | Aki | Lead role |
| 2009 | Engine Sentai Go-onger vs. Gekiranger | Rio / Black Lion Rio | |
| 2009 | Battle of Demons | Kaki Kitō | Lead role |
| 2009 | Battle of Demons 2 | Kaki Kitō | Video appearance |
| 2009 | Battle of Demons 3 | Kaki Kitō | |
| 2010 | X Game | Hideaki Kokubo | Lead role |
| 2017 | Stray Dogz 5 | Rei Gojo | |
| 2018 | Uchu Sentai Kyuranger vs. Space Squad | Rio / Black Lion Rio | Voice only; video appearance |
| 2022 | Bungo Stray Dogs The Movie: Beast | Ango Sakaguchi | |
| 2022 | Jet Black Ten: The Ending Story | Nameless | Lead role |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Broadcast | Notes |
| 2006 | The Hit Parade | The Tigers | Fuji TV | |
| 2006 | Regatta | Imai | TV Asahi | Episode 3 |
| 2007 | Juken Sentai Gekiranger | Rio / Black Lion Rio | TV Asahi / Toei | |
| 2008 | The Negotiator | Takashi Sakai | TV Asahi | Episodes 7–8 |
| 2008 | Eisei Damashī 2: Ikenai Tashizan A+B | Makoto | BS Japan | Episode 4 |
| 2008 | Love 17 | Makoto Takeshita | Mētele | |
| 2009 | Deadly Work People 2009 | Jiro | Asahi Broadcasting / TV Asahi / Shōchiku | Episode 1 |
| 2009 | GodHand Teru | Manabu Nishimura | TBS | |
| 2009 | No Angel No Luck | Kataoka | TV Tokyo | |
| 2009 | Love Game | Hayato Aoyagi | Nippon TV | Episode 13 |
| 2009 | Urban Myths: Sepia | Kimihiko Sakita | WOWOW | Segment: Dead Love |
| 2010 | Shinsengumi Peace Maker | Toshimaro Yoshida | MBS / TBS | |
| 2010 | Team Batista 2: The Triumphant Return of General Rouge | Hiroyuki Tsukada | Fuji TV | Episode 3 |
| 2010 | Uchū Inu Sakusen | Bakuto | TV Tokyo | Episode 2 |
| 2010 | Cold Cases | Naoki Tsukamoto | TV Asahi | Episode 6 |
| 2010 | Gachiban: Ultimatum 2 | Hiroyuki Tsukuda | | Episode 3 |
| 2010 | Ushijima the Loan Shark | Yoshinori | MBS / TBS | Episodes 5–8 |
| 2011 | Heaven's Flower: The Legend of Arcana | Yuichiro Manaka | TBS | |
| 2011 | The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business | Rio / Black Lion Rio | CBS | Voice dub; Episode 2 |
| 2012 | Good Life: Thank You, Dad, Goodbye | Ryoji Hosokawa | Kansai TV / Fuji TV | |
| 2012 | Keigo Higashino Mysteries | Ato | Fuji TV | Episode 4 |
| 2012 | High School Opera Company: Men's Team | Yūji Machida | Nippon TV / TBS | |
| 2012 | Sugarless | Mita Minoru / Santa | Nippon TV | Episodes 6–7, 11 |
| 2012 | High School Entrance Exam | Tetsuya Sawamura | Fuji TV / Fuji TV Next | |
| 2015 | Watashitachi ga Propose Sarenai no ni wa, 101 no Riyū ga Atte da na 2 | Kuro | LaLa TV | Episode 1 |
| 2015 | Oretachi ga Propose Dekinai no ni wa, 3ttsu no Riyū shika nakuteda na | Kataoka | LaLa TV | |
| 2016 | Seifukusōsa 2 | Yoshio Sugawara | TBS | |
| 2016 | Bakumatsu Prince | Izō Okada | Chukyo TV | |
| 2018 | Ochanomizu Rock | Junya Kiriyama | TV Tokyo | Episode 8 |
| 2020 | King of Dance | Osamu Tokimoto | Yomiuri TV | |
| 2020 | Crazy Rain | Iguchi | Asahi Broadcasting | Lead role |

### TV animation

| Year | Title | Role | Broadcast | Notes | Ref. |
| 2021 | Dinosaur Biyori | Alamosaurus Quetzalcoatlus | Tokyo MX BS11 | | |

## Stage

| Year | Title | Role | Location | Notes |
| 2005 | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Side Yamabuki feat. St. Rudolph Gakuen | Sadaharu Inui | Osaka Mielparque Hall Tokyo Mielparque Hall | |
| 2005 | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Concert Dream Live 2nd | Sadaharu Inui | Tokyo Bay NK Hall | |
| 2005 | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Match Hyotei Gakuen | Sadaharu Inui | Japan Youth Hall Osaka Mielparque Hall | |
| 2005 | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Match Hyotei Gakuen In Winter | Sadaharu Inui | Japan Youth Hall Osaka Mielparque Hall | |
| 2006 | Limit: What Is Your Story? | Og | Theater V Akasaka | |
| 2006 | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Concert Dream Live 3rd | Sadaharu Inui | Zepp Tokyo | |
| 2006 | Yume no Kobako ni Ribonwokakete: Kaichōban | | Omotesando Fab | Director |
| 2007 | Out of Order: Daijin Denshin | Himself | Aoyama Theatre | Daily appearance |
| 2007 | D-Boys Stage Vol.1: Kanbai Orei | Saburō Nagatsuka / Ryōma Sakamoto | Zenrosai Hall Space Zero | |
| 2008 | D-Boys Stage Vol.2: Last Game | Yoshihiko Aimoto | Aoyama Theatre Theatre Brava! | Lead role |
| 2008 | Château | Sōichi Fujieda | New National Theatre (Small Theatre) | Lead role |
| 2009 | Run with the Wind | Kōsuke Sakaki | Le Theatre Ginza Toyamaken Kyōikubunka Hall Meitetsu Hall Denryoku Hall Osaka Kōseinen Kinkaikan Geijutsu Hall Fukuoka Sunpalace | |
| 2009 | Reading Stage: Love Letters | Andrew | Le Theatre Ginza | |
| 2009 | D-Boys Stage Vol.3: Karasu | Torakichi | Aoyama Theatre Theatre Brava! | |
| 2010 | D-Boys Stage 2010 Trial-3: America | Kiyoshi Katō | Honda Theatre Meitetsu Hall Morinomiya Piloti Hall Ryutopia Theatre Kinokuniya Hall | |
| 2011 | D-Boys Stage 9th The Witness for the Prosecution: Azabu Hiroo Town Murder Case | Shin'nosuke Tōdō | Aoyama Theatre Theatre Brava! | |
| 2012 | D-Boys Stage 10th Lonely Magnet Blues | Tōru | Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon Theatre Brava! | |
| 2012 | Yoshimoto Hyakkunen Monogatari: Taishō to Goryōn-san Futari no Yume | Clerk | Namba Grand Kagetsu | Guest appearance |
| 2012 | Legend of the Eight Samurai | Genpachi Inukai | New National Theatre (Middle Theatre) NHK Osaka Hall | |
| 2013 | Reading Stage: Shippo no Nakamatachi 3 | | The Galaxy Theatre | |
| 2014 | Handsome Rakugo: Act III | Performer | Akasaka Red Theatre | |
| 2014 | Tumbling: Final | Yūya Nishii | Kanagawa Arts Theatre Theatre Brava! Akasaka ACT Theatre | |
| 2014 | Musical Black Butler: Lycoris that Blazes the Earth | Lau | Roppongi Blue Theatre Umeda Arts Theatre Drama City | |
| 2014 | My Host: Blood Battle! Fukuoka Nakasu Edition | Tokio | Japan Youth Hall Morinomiya Piloti Hall | |
| 2015 | Garantido | Yoshimura / Katsuo Sekikawa | Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Playhouse Hyogo Performing Arts Center Hankyū-chū Hall | D-Boys Stage 16th × TS Musical Foundation |
| 2015 | Musical Black Butler: Lycoris that Blazes the Earth 2015 | Lau | Umeda Arts Theatre Main Hall Natori City Cultural Center Main Hall Akasaka ACT Theatre Canal City Theatre Shanghai Art Theatre Beijing Exhibition Center Theatre Shenzhen Poly Theatre | |
| 2015 | Orange | Takashi Yamakura | Morinomiya Piloti Hall Sunshine Theatre Meitetsu Hall Alpha Anabuki Hall Koriyama City Cultural Center Hitachi Systems Hall Sendai Akita Prefectural Children's Hall Doshin Hall | Amuse × People Purple |
| 2015 | Mononofu Series: Mononofu White Tiger | Toshizō Hijikata | The Galaxy Theatre Artopia Hall Umeda Arts Theatre Drama City | |
| 2016 | My Host: The Final – Crash! Sakae Nagoya Edition | Tokio | The Galaxy Theatre | Guest appearance |
| 2016 | Live Fantasy Fairy Tail | Jellal Fernandes | Sunshine Theatre Shanghai Art Theatre | |
| 2016 | Opera Meiji Tokyo Love Song: Black Cat of the Hazy Moon | Ōgai Mori | Hakuhinkan Theatre | |
| 2016 | Mitsuru Matsuoka presents Daydream Babys | Arako Mama / Hirofumi Araki | Akasaka Blitz Namba Hatch | |
| 2016 | Mononofu Series: Meditating Wolf Black Duck | Toshizō Hijikata | The Galaxy Theatre Morinomiya Piloti Hall Kitakyushu Arts Theatre Main Hall | |
| 2016 | Reading Stage: Gege | Takayuki Takano | Rikkō-kai Hall | |
| 2016 | The Smile Mermaid | Kent | Theatre 1010 Umeda Arts Theatre Drama City | |
| 2017 | My Host: Reborn | Tokio | Sunshine Theatre | Guest appearance |
| 2017 | Musical Touken Ranbu: 300-Year Lullaby | Nikkari Aoe | AiiA 2.5 Theatre Umeda Arts Theatre Main Hall Zhuhai Grand Theatre | |
| 2017 | Ghostly | Tōsen | Japan Youth Hall Hongqiao Artistic Center | |
| 2017 | Office Shika Produce Vol.M: Futodoki | Kageyama / Sadayū Murakaki | The Galaxy Theatre Sankei Hall Breeze | |
| 2017 | ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. | Jean Otus | Shinagawa Club eX | Lead role |
| 2017 | Musical Touken Ranbu: Shinken Ranbu Festival 2017 | Nikkari Aoe | Nippon Budokan Osaka-jō Hall Saitama Super Arena Guangzhou Gymnasium | |
| 2018 | My Host: Reborn – Sequel! Osaka Minami Edition | Tokio | Sunshine Theatre | Guest appearance |
| 2018 | Mononofu Series: Kake Hayabusa Hito Yamato | Toshizō Hijikata | The Galaxy Theatre Morinomiya Piloti Hall | |
| 2018 | Ochanomizu Rock: The Live Stage | Junya Kiriyama | AiiA 2.5 Theatre | |
| 2018 | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 2018 | Sadaharu Inui | Kobe World Memorial Hall | Guest appearance |
| 2018 | Ran: Koan Ogata's Case Files | Musician / Wakasa | Osaka Shochikuza Theatre Shinbashi Enbujō | |
| 2018 | Want-to-Know More about History Series: John Manjirō | Takechi Hanpeita / Jolly | Ex Theatre Roppongi | |
| 2018 | Opera Meiji Tokyo Love Song: Moonbow of My Fiancé | Ōgai Mori | Morinomiya Piloti Hall Theatre 1010 | Lead role |
| 2018 | Bungo Stray Dogs on Stage: The Dark Age | Ango Sakaguchi | Sunshine Theatre Morinomiya Piloti Hall | |
| 2018 | Musical Touken Ranbu: Shinken Ranbu Festival 2018 | Nikkari Aoe | Fukui Sun Dome Nippon Budokan Sekisui Heim Super Arena Osaka-jō Hall Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 9–11 | |
| 2019 | Musical Touken Ranbu: 300-Year Lullaby 2019 | Nikkari Aoe | The Galaxy Theatre Sankei Hall Breeze Kyoto Theatre Tokyo Dome City Hall | |
| 2019 | Trump Series: Cocoon | Raffaello Delico | Sunshine Theatre Sankei Hall Breeze | Appears in Dark of the Moon and Upon One of the Stars |
| 2019 | Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin – Kizuna | Akame | The Galaxy Theatre AiiA 2.5 Theatre Kobe | |
| 2019 | Reading Stage: Lily and Rose | Hikaru Amano | Shinagawa Club eX | |
| 2019 | Koi wo Yomu Vol.2: Running Away is Shameful but Useful | Hiramasa Tsuzaki | Hulic Hall Tokyo | |
| 2019 | Yu Yu Hakusho | Koenma | Theatre 1010 Morinomiya Piloti Hall Momochi Palace Ichinomiya Community Hall | |
| 2019 | Musical Touken Ranbu: Utago Ranbu Frenzy 2019 | Nikkari Aoe | Big Hat Sekisui Heim Super Arena Hokkai Kitayell Fukuoka Kokusai Center Hiroshima Green-Arena Saitama Super Arena Aichi Sky Expo Exhibition Hall A Osaka-jō Hall Musashino Forest Sport Plaza Main Hall | |
| 2020 | My Host: The Last Live – Love to the End! | Tokio | Japan Youth Hall | Guest appearance |
| 2020 | Touken Ranbu Online 5th Anniversary Touken Ranbu: The Great Performance | Nikkari Aoe | Tokyo Dome | Canceled |
| 2020 | Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle – Rule the Stage: Track.2 | Hifumi Izanami / Gigolo | Shinagawa Prince Hotel Stellar Ball | May run canceled |
| 2020 | King of Dance | Osamu Tokimoto | Cool Japan Park Osaka WW Hall Hulic Hall Tokyo Nagoya Civic Assembly Hall | |
| 2020 | Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin – Gajō Kessen-hen | Akame | The Galaxy Theatre | |
| 2020 | Yu Yu Hakusho: Act 2 | Koenma | Shinagawa Prince Hotel Stellar Ball Cool Japan Park Osaka WW Hall Kyoto Theatre | Also director |
| 2021 | Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle – Rule the Stage: Track.4 | Hifumi Izanami / Gigolo | Tokyo Dome City Hall Osaka Mielparque Hall Fukuoka Sunpalace | |
| 2021 | Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle – Rule the Stage: Track.2 Replay | Hifumi Izanami / Gigolo | Shinagawa Prince Hotel Stellar Ball | |
| 2021 | Bungo Stray Dogs on Stage: Dead Apple | Ango Sakaguchi | Cool Japan Park Osaka WW Hall Nippon Seinen-kan Hall | Video appearance |
| 2021 | Musical Touken Ranbu: Nikkari Aoe Solo Performance – 2021 Spring Run | Nikkari Aoe | Hakodate Citizen Hall, Main Hall Kyara Hall/Tonan Public Hall Omagari Civic Center, Main Hall Shibata Civic Center Toyama Prefectural Hall Komatsu Urara Theater, Main Hall Sabae City Culture Center Umeda Arts Theater, Main Hall Nara Prefecture Cultural Hall, International Hall Yonago City Cultural Center Izumo Civic Hall Momochi Palace Arao General Cultural Center, Main Hall Houzan Hall | Lead role |
| 2021 | Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle – Rule the Stage: Battle of Pride | Hifumi Izanami / Gigolo | Maruzen Intec Arena Osaka Pia Arena MM | |
| 2021 | Koi wo Yomu in Crea: Running Away is Shameful but Useful | Hiramasa Tsuzaki | Theater Creation | |
| 2021 | Musical Touken Ranbu: Nikkari Aoe Solo Performance – 2021 Autumn Run | Nikkari Aoe | Minamisoma Civic Cultural Hall, Main Hall Yuki Civic Culture Center ACROSS, Main Hall Yamanashi Prefectural Citizen's Culture Hall, Small Hall Ichinomiya Civic Hall Otsu Civic Hall, Main Hall Kinan Cultural Hall, Main Hall Okayama Civic Hall Susaki Seaside Stage Yahatahama Civic Cultural Hall, Main Hall J:COM HorutoHall OITA, Main Hall Miyazaki Municipal Culture Hall, Main Hall | Lead role |
| 2022 | Musical Touken Ranbu: Nikkari Aoe Solo Performance – 2022 Spring Run | Nikkari Aoe | Okinawa Civic Hall Isahaya Culture Hall Tosu Civic Hall Shimonoseki City Lifelong Learning Plaza, Main Hall Uji Culture Center, Main Hall Kobe Kokusai Hall Nagaragawa Convention Center Hamamatsu Hamakita Culture Center, Main Hall Sagami Women's University Green Hall Shibukawa Civic Hall, Main Hall Sano Culture Center, Main Hall Aomori Civic Hall Natori Performing Arts Center, Main Hall | Lead role; Natori run canceled |
| 2022 | Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle – Rule the Stage: Rep LIVE side M.T.C | Hifumi Izanami / Gigolo | KT Zepp Yokohama | Guest appearance |
| 2022 | Jet Black Ten: The Beginning Story | Yōnosuke Udai / Kutarō | Sunshine Theatre Umeda Arts Theatre Drama City | Lead role |
| 2022 | Musical Touken Ranbu: Nikkari Aoe Solo Performance – 2022 Autumn Run | Nikkari Aoe | Showa Women's University, Hitomi Memorial Hall Wako Civic Culture Center Chiba City Civic Hall Sendai Denryoku Hall Yamagata Citizens' Hall, Main Hall Hokuto Culture Hall, Middle Hall Echizen Culture Center, Main Hall Kakiyasu City Hall (Kuwana Civic Center) JMS Aster Plaza, Main Hall Tokushima Arts Foundation for Culture Minoh Theatre for the Performing Arts, Main Hall Rexxam Hall, Main Hall | Lead role |
| 2022 | Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle – Rule the Stage: Bad Ass Temple VS Matenrō | Shinagawa Prince Hotel Stellar Ball | Hifumi Izanami / Gigolo | |
| 2025 | Musical Fate/Zero: The Sword of Promised Victory | Kiritsugu Emiya | Theater Milano-za, Tokyo Sky Theater MBS, Osaka | Lead role |

## Official DVDs

| Year | DVD | DVD Cover | Release Date | JPN certification |
| 2007 | Prince Series D-BOYS Collection – Hirofumi Araki | | May 16, 2007 | |