1. Overview
Rui Kihara (木原 瑠生Kihara RuiJapanese, born September 15, 1998) is a Japanese actor and singer. He gained significant recognition for his role as Tametomo Imizu, also known as Kiramai Yellow, in the 2020 Japanese tokusatsu television drama. Kihara began his career in the performing arts in 2016, initially focusing on singing and acting through a theater group, and later expanding into a solo music career while continuing to take on diverse roles in television, film, and stage productions.
2. Life and career
Rui Kihara's professional journey in the entertainment industry began in 2016, leading to a prominent acting career and a simultaneous pursuit of music.
2.1. Early career
Kihara was born in Tokyo, Japan, on September 15, 1998. He embarked on his entertainment career in 2016 by auditioning for a singing role, which led him to become a candidate member of the Gekidan Bancho Boys☆ theater group. He subsequently became a full member of the group the following year. In December 2018, he further expanded his musical endeavors by joining Love Harmony's, Inc., a mixed-gender vocal group.
2.2. Breakthrough and major roles
In 2020, Kihara achieved widespread recognition through his starring role in the special effects television drama Mashin Sentai Kiramager. He portrayed Tametomo Imizu, who transforms into Kiramai Yellow, one of the main heroes of the series. This role solidified his position as a prominent young actor in the tokusatsu genre. Following this breakthrough, Kihara launched his solo music career in May 2021, releasing his first digital single, "Onegai Kamisama" (お願い神様Please GodJapanese).
2.3. Later career
Kihara's career continued to evolve with significant changes and new challenges. In March 2023, he officially graduated from Gekidan Bancho Boys☆ after being a member for six years, marking a transition in his performance activities. In April of the same year, he took on the role of Heshikiri Hasebe in the musical Touken Ranbu: Hanakage Yureru Tomizu, showcasing his versatility in musical theater. He has since continued to expand his stage presence, taking on lead roles such as Hajime Saito in the Meiji Modern Opera Koihana Baku Bakuroku ~Zenjitsutan~ in 2024 and Ichigo Kurosaki in the ROCK MUSICAL BLEACH series starting in 2024.
3. Personal aspects
Rui Kihara's personal interests and characteristics reflect his passion for performance and popular culture. His hobbies include music appreciation and tokusatsu, which aligns with his prominent role in Mashin Sentai Kiramager. He possesses several special skills, including singing, baseball, and playing the piano. Kihara has cited B'z as his favorite musical artist, and his favorite saying is "A person only knows what they know."
Initially, Kihara's primary ambition was to become a singer, with a lesser inclination towards acting. He has revealed that he watched several Super Sentai Series programs during his youth, including Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, Ninpu Sentai Hurricaneger, Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, and Mahou Sentai Magiranger. His favorite Ultraman Series work is Ultraman Dyna.
Co-stars from Kiramager have described Kihara as a mood-maker who brightens the set. The series' producer, Hideaki Tsukada, praised Kihara's performance ability during his audition, noting that he would have been chosen as the center of the cast in a traditional production. Main director Kyohei Yamaguchi observed that while his initial impression of Kihara was that of a contemporary, lighthearted young man, he found Kihara to be very diligent once filming began.
4. Works
Rui Kihara has built a diverse portfolio across various entertainment mediums, including television, web content, film, and stage performances.
4.1. Television
Kihara has appeared in a range of television productions, from dramatic roles to variety shows.
4.1.1. Television dramas
Kihara's roles in television dramas include:
- 99.9 Criminal Lawyer - Season II Episode 5 (2018, TBS) as a dancer.
- Mashin Sentai Kiramager (2020-2021, TV Asahi) as Tametomo Imizu / Kiramai Yellow.
- Kabe Saa Doujin Sakka no Nekoyashiki-kun wa Shounin Yokkyu wo Kojirasete Iru (2022, Asahi Broadcasting) as Ryuji Koga.
- Bokura no Azatoi Asagohan ~Tsudzuite Iku Bokura no Hibi~ (2023, TV Tokyo)
4.1.2. Television programs
Kihara has also been featured in various television programs:
- Teatru★Bancho W (2017, TOKYO MX)
- Yoru no Branch (2021, TBS) - Appeared in "Tokyo Hallyu Date".
- Azatokute Nani ga Warui no? (2022, TV Asahi)
4.2. Web content
Kihara has participated in several web-exclusive dramas and programs, expanding his reach into online media.
4.2.1. Web dramas
Kihara's web drama appearances include:
- Kamen Rider Amazons Season 2 Episode 7 (2017, Amazon Prime Video) as a high school student.
- Mashin Sentai Kiramager spin-off series (Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club) as Tametomo Imizu:
- Yodonna (2021)
- Yodonna 2 (2021)
- Yodonna 3: Yodonna no Valentine (2023)
4.2.2. Web programs
Kihara's web program appearances include:
- ~Music Hero Heroine~ Kanadenjar (Yamaha JOC Channel and others) - Served as MC alongside Rio Komiya.
- Part 1 (2022)
- Part 2 (2023)
- Part 3 (2024), where he served as MC with Madoka Moriyasu.
- Time Capsule Mirai no Watashi e (Yamaha JOC Channel and others)
- #1 (2022)
- #3 (2022)
- #5 (2022)
- #6 (2023)
- #10 (2024)
4.3. Films
Kihara has appeared in several theatrical film productions, notably as his character from Mashin Sentai Kiramager.
- Super Sentai Series films (Toei) as Tametomo Imizu / Kiramai Yellow:
- Mashin Sentai Kiramager Episode Zero (2020)
- Mashin Sentai Kiramager the Movie: Be-Bop Dream (2021)
- Tabun (2020, Sony Music Entertainment) as Sasano.
- Kisaragi Station (2022, Aeon Entertainment) as Shota Kishi.
4.4. Original Videos (V-Cinema)
Kihara has also starred in direct-to-video releases, often part of the Super Sentai crossover series.
- Super Sentai Series films (Toei Video) as Tametomo Imizu / Kiramai Yellow:
- Mashin Sentai Kiramager vs. Ryusoulger (2021)
- Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger vs. Kiramager vs. Senpaiger (2022)
4.5. Stage performances
Kihara has a notable presence in theater and musical theater, performing in a variety of productions.
- Live Musical "SHOW BY ROCK!!" as Kai:
- ~THE FES II-Thousand XVII~ (2017, Shinagawa Prince Hotel Stella Ball)
- -Shin'en no Cross Ambivalence- (2017, AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo)
- ~THE FES 2018~ (2018, Zepp DiverCity)
- -Kyōsō no BloodyLabyrinth- (2018, Tennozu Ginga Gekijo)
- Ikemen Sengoku THE STAGE as Tokugawa Ieyasu:
- ~Kenshin Uesugi-hen~ (2019, Sunshine Theatre)
- Bangai-hen ~Hajimari no Monogatari~ (2019, Hakuhinkan Theater)
- Reading performance "Konna Hanashi. ~Shinichi Hoshi no Hanashi~"
- bpm main performance "DRAGON BOWL" (2022, Kokumin Kyosai Coop Hall/Space Zero)
- NIGHT HEAD 2041-THE STAGE- (2022, Tokyo Dome City Theater G-Rosso) as TEAM BLACK Takuya Kuroki.
- Nibuichi no Shitsumei (2022, Shinjuku Theater Tops)
- Musical Touken Ranbu as Heshikiri Hasebe:
- ~Hanakage Yureru Tomizu~ (2023, Tokyo Dome City Hall)
- ㊇ Ranbu Yagai Matsuri (2023, Fujikyu Highland Conifer Forest)
- Reading play Gokuraku Rouyashiki (Kinoshita Hanta version Yotsuya Kaidan) (2023, Sunshine Theatre, Tokyo)
- Meiji Modern Opera Koihana Baku Bakuroku ~Zenjitsutan~ (2024, IMM Theater / AiiA 2.5 Theater Kobe) - Starring as Hajime Saito.
- ROCK MUSICAL BLEACH as Ichigo Kurosaki:
- ~Arrancar the Beginning~ (2024, Tennozu Ginga Gekijo / COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA)
- ~Arrancar the Final~ (2025, Tennozu Ginga Gekijo / COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA WW Hall)
- Musical GIRLFRIEND (2024, Theatre Creation) as Mike.
- Musical Akatsuki no Yona (2024, Theater H) as Kija.
- Murder Mystery Theater Satsui no Daishou (2025, Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX)
- Reading Drama BLINK (2025, New National Theatre, Tokyo Small Theatre)
4.6. Commercials
Kihara has also appeared in advertising campaigns.
- Keio Corporation Train Channel (2017) as a high school student.
- Konami Jikkyo Powerful Soccer Web CM "Pawasaka Ideal Player Creation Charm Edition / Pawasaka Success Playthrough Charm Edition" (2021).
5. Live performances
Rui Kihara has held several solo live performances, often celebrating his birthday.
| Date | Type | Title | Venue(s) & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25, 2021 | Solo Performance | Rui Kihara 1st Solo Live ~First Impression~ | Shinjuku BLAZE (Tokyo) |
| September 15, 2021 | Solo Performance | Rui Kihara 23rd Birthday Talk & Live ~Bakutan~ | Shinjuku BLAZE (Tokyo) |
| September 24, 2022 | Solo Performance | Rui Kihara 24th Birthday Talk & Live ~HAPPY~ | Yokohama Minato Mirai Bronte (Kanagawa) |
6. Discography
Kihara's discography includes digital singles as a solo artist and character songs performed in his acting roles.
6.1. Digital singles
| # | Release Date | Title | Lyrics | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | May 26, 2021 | "Onegai Kamisama" (お願い神様Please GodJapanese) | Rui Kihara, Ryosuke Shigenaga | Ryosuke Shigenaga |
| 2nd | September 15, 2022 | "Ichigoichie" (イチゴイチエOnce in a Lifetime EncounterJapanese) | Rui Kihara | Nito. |
| 3rd | February 22, 2023 | "Kakeboshi" (架け星Bridge StarJapanese) | Rui Kihara | Yohei Onishi |
6.2. Character songs
| Release Date | Product Name | Performed By | Song | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 23, 2020 | Mashin Sentai Kiramager Character Song Album | Tametomo Imizu (Rui Kihara) | "Dangan Shooting Star" (弾丸Shooting StarBullet Shooting StarJapanese) | Ending theme for the television drama Mashin Sentai Kiramager |
| February 10, 2021 | Mashin Sentai Kiramager Zenshū Mekcha Kikō ze! |
7. Publications
Rui Kihara has released photo books showcasing his artistic and personal style.
7.1. Photo books
- 1st Photo Book "Senkou" (閃光FlashJapanese) (January 25, 2021, TOKYO NEWS MOOK).
- 2nd Photo Book "Ikiru." (生きる。To Live.Japanese) (Scheduled for March 19, 2025, Kodansha) - This photo book was filmed on Izu Ōshima.