ActorJapanese1981 birthStage actor

Eiki Kitamura

Eiki Kitamura (born 1981) is a Japanese actor known for his roles in ''The Prince of Tennis Musical'' and ''Rock Musical BLEACH'', with reduced activities after 2010 and a divorce in 2020.

1. Overview

Eiki Kitamura (北村栄基Kitamura EikiJapanese, born February 3, 1981) is a Japanese actor. Born in Kumamoto Prefecture, he is the younger brother of actress Harumi Inoue. Kitamura debuted as an actor in 1998 and gained recognition for his roles in various television dramas, films, and musicals. He is particularly known for his work in The Prince of Tennis Musical (commonly known as Tenimyu) as Takashi Kawamura, and as Izuru Kira in the Rock Musical BLEACH series. His career saw him primarily active in dramas and films before his departure from LesPros Entertainment in 2010, which led to a reduction in his acting activities. In his personal life, he married model Keiko Mayama in 2012, and they had a son before their divorce in 2020.

2. Early Life and Background

Eiki Kitamura was born on February 3, 1981, in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. His blood type is B, and he stands 70 in (178 cm) tall. He is the younger brother of actress Harumi Inoue. Both Eiki Kitamura and Harumi Inoue later had the opportunity to work together in the Rock Musical BLEACH series.

3. Career

Eiki Kitamura's career as an actor spanned over a decade, encompassing various television, film, and stage productions. Beginning in 1998, he built a diverse portfolio, notably excelling in musicals, before a significant reduction in activities following his departure from his agency in 2010.

3.1. Debut and Early Work

Kitamura began his acting career in 1998. In his early years, he primarily focused on television dramas and films, gradually building his portfolio. He was associated with the talent agency LesPros Entertainment until his departure in 2010.

3.2. Filmography

Eiki Kitamura's filmography is extensive, featuring roles across television dramas, feature films, and prominent stage productions, including his notable musical work.

3.2.1. Television Dramas

Kitamura held roles in a wide range of television dramas:

  • Bishōjo H (美少女HJapanese, Episode 16, 1998, Fuji Television)
  • Densetsu no Kyōshi (伝説の教師Japanese, 2000, Nippon Television)
  • Tengoku ni Ichiban Chikai Otoko (天国に一番近い男Japanese, 2001, Nippon Television)
  • FACE～Mishiranu Koibito～ (FACE～見知らぬ恋人～Japanese, 2001, Nippon Television)
  • Gokusen (ごくせんJapanese, 2002, Nippon Television) as Eiki Shimazu
  • Waterboys (WATER BOYSJapanese, 2003, Fuji Television) as a synchronized swimming instructor
  • Mata no Okoshi o (またのお越しをJapanese, 2003, TBS Television)
  • Ai no Ie～Nakimushi Sato to 7-nin no Ko～ (愛の家~泣き虫サトと7人の子~Japanese, 2003, NHK) as Makoto Beniki
  • M no Higeki (Mの悲劇Japanese, 2005, TBS)
  • Umizaru Evolution (海猿 UMIZARU EVOLUTIONJapanese, 2005, Fuji Television)
  • Dragonzakura (ドラゴン桜Japanese, Episode 8, 2005, TBS)
  • Yonimo Kimyo na Monogatari (世にも奇妙な物語Japanese, "Imakiyo-san" segment, 2006, Fuji Television) as Hiroshi
  • Shinjuku Swan (新宿スワンJapanese, 2007, TV Asahi) as Matora
  • Honoo no Keibitaicho Igarashi Morio 6 (炎の警備隊長・五十嵐杜夫6Japanese, 2007, ABC) as Takuma Katayama
  • Aibō (Season 6, Episode 13, 2008, TV Asahi) as Inagaki
  • Walkin' Butterfly (ウォーキン☆バタフライJapanese, 2008, TV Tokyo) as Kenichiro Nishikino
  • Kamen Rider Decade (仮面ライダーディケイドJapanese, Episodes 6 & 7, 2009, TV Asahi) as Ren Haguro / Kamen Rider Knight
  • Hikon Domei (非婚同盟Japanese, 2009, Tokai Television) as Katsutoshi Morosawa
  • Totsugawa Keiji no Shozo (十津川刑事の肖像Japanese, Series 1, 2009, Fuji Television) as Yutaro Oda
  • Uta-Cere (歌セラJapanese, Episode 1 "Otoko-tachi", October 2010, TUY, TBC, HBC, etc.)
  • Hanayome Noren (花嫁のれんJapanese, 2010, Tokai Television) as Morikawa
  • Gen'ya (幻夜Japanese, Episode 7, 2010, WOWOW)

3.2.2. Films

Kitamura also appeared in several films:

  • Waterboys (ウォーターボーイズJapanese, 2001) as Eikichi Kitamura
  • Pika☆nchi LIFE IS HARD Dakedo HAPPY (ピカ☆ンチ LIFE IS HARDだけどHAPPYJapanese, 2002)
  • Pika☆☆nchi LIFE IS HARD Dakara HAPPY (ピカ☆☆ンチ LIFE IS HARDだからHAPPYJapanese, 2004)
  • JUKAI (樹の海Japanese, 2004)
  • Ghost Train (Otoshimono, オトシモノJapanese, 2006) as Shigeru Sudo
  • 13 no Tsuki (13の月Japanese, 2006)
  • Waruboro (ワルボロJapanese, 2007)
  • Chest! (チェスト!Japanese, 2008)
  • Gokusen The Movie (ごくせん THE MOVIEJapanese, 2009) as Eiki Shimazu

3.2.3. Musicals and Stage Plays

Kitamura had significant roles in various stage productions, most notably in musical adaptations of popular manga series.

  • Musical The Prince of Tennis: More Than Limit St. Rudolph Gakuen as Takashi Kawamura
  • Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 7th (2010) as Takashi Kawamura
  • Rock Musical BLEACH Saien as Izuru Kira
  • Rock Musical BLEACH: The Dark of The Bleeding Moon as Izuru Kira
  • ROCK MUSICAL BLEACH the LIVE Bankai Show code:001 as Izuru Kira
  • Rock Musical BLEACH: No Clouds in the Blue Heavens as Izuru Kira
  • ROCK MUSICAL BLEACH DX (Rock Musical BLEACH The ALL, The LIVE Bankai Show CODE:002) as Izuru Kira
  • ROCK MUSICAL BLEACH the LIVE Bankai Show code:003 as Izuru Kira
  • KENDAMA (Kenshūi Damashii, 研修医魂Japanese, January 2007) as Mitsuaki Goda
  • TOWER OF SUGAR
  • Lost Days (May 9-25, 2008) as Akira Shimura
  • Sōga (ソウガJapanese)
  • Helpman! (September 15-20, 2010)
  • Letter (August 31 - September 4, 2011)

3.2.4. Other Appearances

Beyond acting, Kitamura also participated in other forms of media.

  • Variety Show:** Namae de Yobunatte! (名前で呼ぶなって!Japanese, 2007, Independent UHF stations)
  • Commercials (CMs):** Vidal Sassoon ~Men in Tears~
  • Radio Drama:** Yen Town Tsushin "Shōjo Kemushi" (少女毛虫Japanese) produced by Shunji Iwai (TOKYO-FM)
  • Music Videos (PVs):**
    • Dreams Come True - "Yasashii Kiss o Shite"
    • TVXQ - "Lovin' you"

3.3. Hiatus from Acting

In 2010, Eiki Kitamura departed from his agency, LesPros Entertainment. Following this, his acting activities significantly decreased, leading to a period of hiatus or reduced public appearances in the entertainment industry.

4. Personal Life

Eiki Kitamura's personal life, particularly his marriage and family, has been publicly documented.

4.1. Marriage and Parenthood

On May 22, 2012, Eiki Kitamura married model Keiko Mayama. Later that year, on December 17, 2012, the couple welcomed their first child, a son. They held their wedding ceremony on December 15, 2013.

4.2. Divorce

Eiki Kitamura and Keiko Mayama announced their divorce on January 30, 2021. The divorce itself had reportedly taken place around autumn 2020.

5. Trivia

Despite appearing in only two Tenimyu productions, Eiki Kitamura later had the opportunity to work alongside many graduated members of the original Seigaku cast in the Rock Musical BLEACH series, bridging connections between the popular musical franchises.