Yuichi Nakamaru

Yuichi Nakamaru
, is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, television personality, radio host, and a member of KAT-TUN. He joined the talent agency Johnny & Associates in 1998 and then officially debuted as part of KAT-TUN in 2006.
Individually, he has acted in numerous drama serials and is most known as a commentator and host of his own segment on NTV information variety show "Sunday Countdown Show Shūichi".
History
Background
Nakamaru was born in Kita-ku, but raised in Sumida-ku, Tokyo. He is the oldest child in a family of five composed of his parents and two younger sisters with 6 and 4 years age difference respectively. He has a fear of heights and phobia of needles.
His reason for applying to Johnny & Associates was that in the last year of junior high school, a female classmate who liked Johnny's idols told him to try out and prepared his application form to the point that he only needed to sign it.
His special skill is in beatboxing and this talent has been recognized by various other celebrities such as Rag Fair's Okkun and Masi Oka.
In April 2008, he entered Waseda University and majored in Human Environmental Sciences through the university's undergraduate correspondence course e-school. He successfully graduated in March 2013.
Career
Nakamaru officially joined Johnny & Associates in November 1998 with bandmate Kazuya Kamenashi and agency mates Jin Akanishi, Takahisa Masuda, Taisuke Fujigaya and Ryōichi Tsukada, who were all in the same audition. He was a member of four temporary units while still a Johnny's Jr. – Boys Be Ambitious (B.B.A), Musical Academy Dancing (M.A.D), Best Beat Dancing (B.B.D), and Toshi Otoko.
He joined KAT-TUN when it formed in 2001, and debuted as part of the group in 2006. Besides singing and beatboxing in KAT-TUN, he also writes lyrics for his solo songs or duet songs with the other members. For rap lyrics, he uses the alias Yucci.
In 2009, he appeared in his first ever leading role in a drama in TBS TV's "Rescue ~Tokubetsu Kōdo Kyūjotai".
On April 27, 2021, Nakamaru was revealed as the second member in a new Johnny's YouTube channel, ジャにのちゃんねる (Janinochaneru), led by Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya.
On March 23, 2023, Nakamaru celebrated Japan's win at the 2023 World Baseball Classic as well as KAT-TUN's 17th debut anniversary in post in his just opened Twitter and Instagram, though he posted he had been using Twitter since 2010. His SNS is the latest after fellow KAT-TUN members Kamenashi and Ueda. He also posted that he would be using his SNS to share updates on his original manga, as well as daily rantings.
Appearances
TV drama serials
P.P.O.I. (1999) as Suga Shika
Sushi Ōji! (2007) as Tarō Kawahara
Rescue ~Tokubetsu Kōdo Kyūjotai (2009) as Daiichi Kitajima
Last Money: Ai no Nedan (2011) as Keigo Ōno
Hayami-san to Yobareru Hi (2012) as Kaoru Hayami
Omoni Naitemasu (2012) as Keisuke Akamatsu
The Wrong Man (2013) as Yasushi Kawamura
Henshin Interviewer no Yūutsu (2013) as Jirō Shirakawa/Kirio Aonuma
First Class (2014) as Itsuki Nishihara
99.9: Criminal Lawyer – Episode 10 (2016) as Yoichi Ishikawa
Massage Tantei Joe (2017) as Yabukihara Jo
TV movies
Kowai Nichiyōbi (1999)
Kowai Nichiyōbi ~New Chapter~ (1999)
Tōsan Special Drama in FNS 27Jikan TV (2000)
Kowai Nichiyōbi ~2000~ (2000) as Tōru
Kindaichi Case Files (2005) as Nakane
Haha no Okurimono (2009) as Masaaki Wakamori
Hanchou 3 (2010) as Shinobu Sonoda
Dachitabi ~First Chapter Dal Segno na Camp~ (2011) as Yūichi Takamaru
Hayami-san to Yobareru Hi SP Part I (2012) as Kaoru Hayami
Hayami-san to Yobareru Hi SP Part II (2012) as Kaoru Hayami
Lucky Seven SP (2013) as Masaru Wakunaga
The Partner ~Itoshiki Hyakunen no Tomo e~ (2013) as Noriaki Hatakeyama
Movies
Sushi Ōji! Goes to New York (2008) as Tarō Kawahara
Stage plays
Nakamaru-kun no Tanoshii Jikan (2008) as himself
Dream Boys (2011) as Yūichi
TV programs
YOUtachi! (2006–2007) Co-host
Dosp 2 Geinōkai Sushi Zatsugaku Ōji Ketteisen! (2008)
Sushi Ōji! KAT-TUN Nakamaru ga Iku! Hong Kong Gourmet Tour!! Sekaiichi Sushi Ōji e no Michi (2008)
Shounen Club (2006–2011) Co-host
Tensai o Tsukuru! Galileo Nōken (2009–2011)
Sunday Countdown Show Shūichi (2011–present) Commentator
Sekai Rūtsu Tankentai (2017–) MC
NTV's 24-Hr TV (2022) (co-host, as member of YouTube channel Jyaninochaneru)
Anime
Crayon Shin-chan Sushi Ōji Dazo! (2008) as himself
Radio
R-One KAT-TUN Co-host
KAT-TUN no Gatsūn Co-host
YouTuber
In 2021, a new Johnny's YouTube channel called ジャにのちゃんねる (Jyaninochaneru), led by Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya, was opened. The channel is also run by Nakamaru, Hey! Say! JUMP's Ryosuke Yamada, and Sexy Zone's Fuma Kikuchi.
Commercials
Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.
Wonda Coffee (2022) With Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya
Clear Asahi beer (April 2023) As part of Jyaninochannel
LAWSON (2015)
Lotte
Sou
Crunky (2002)
Plus X (2003)
Misawa Homes
NTT DoCoMo
New 9 Series (2006)
FOMA903i (2006)
Rohto
Mogitate Kajitsu (2005, 2007, 2008)
Rohto C Cube (2005)
Sesera (2006)
SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation
SKY PerfecTV! (2006)
SKY PerfecTV Premium Service (2006)
Other activities
Mangaka
Nakamaru became an official manga artist in 2023. His first manga work, called "Yamada-kun no zawameku jikan" (Yamada's noisy time), appears in the August issue of Kodansha's "Monthly Afternoon", released on June 23.
Discography
Solo songs
Collaboration Songs
Awards and recognitions
2009
6th TVNavi Magazine Awards: Best Newcomer for "Rescue ~Tokubetsu Kōdo Kyūjotai"
References
External links
Yūichi Nakamaru profile on Johnny's net
KAT-TUN J-One Records Official Website
Johnny & Associates
KAT-TUN members
Japanese male pop singers
Japanese idols
Japanese television personalities
Waseda University alumni
1983 births
Living people
People from Kita
Singers from Tokyo
21st-century Japanese singers
21st-century Japanese male singers