is a Japanese actor and singer associated with D-Boys, an acting troupe produced by Watanabe Entertainment. His major works include lead roles as Wataru Kurenai in Kamen Rider Kiva; and supporting roles as Satoru Okura in Atashinchi no Danshi, Ariake Yamato in Otomen, and Eiji Kikumaru in Musical: The Prince of Tennis. He starred as Mori Ranmaru in the drama, Gō: Hime-tachi no Sengoku.
In 2010, he was named one of the most promising actors and actresses, placing 7th in a poll conducted by Oricon.Oricon: Promising Actors and Actresses for 2010 Through his role with Kamen Rider Kiva, he was also the lead vocalist of their promotional rock band Tetra-Fang.
Life and career Born in 1988 in Kyushu, Kōji Seto grew up as the oldest child with two younger sisters. His childhood dream of becoming a vet changed suddenly with the end of his Junior High School time, when he watched with 15 years the TV series Orange Days. The praised drama and performance by Satoshi Tsumabuki inspired his wish to become an actor. After discussing his plans with his parents, they decided to support their son and enrolled him to a local acting school.Interview in Pash Vol. 8
After one year in training, he was cast in 2005 as Makoto Kanno in the television series Rocket Boys. After the filming ended, he was accepted final round of Watanabe Entertainment's 2nd official D-Boys audition. With his interpretation of Masaharu Fukuyama's song "Himawari" won Seto the Grand Prix 2nd Winner Award on July 31, 2005. He debuted as a Junior member just shortly afterwards in December at the 3rd D-Live Event - an entertainment show featuring only D-Boys members.Information from the official D-Boys Fanclub Book 6
In spring 2006, at the age of 17, he finally moved after constant commuting from his rural and idyllic hometown in Fukuoka to live by himself in Tokyo. Seto starred together with all his fellow D-Boys members in their first own TV production "DD-Boys" and won, at the same time, the audition for Eiji Kikumaru in Musical: The Prince of Tennis and played him until September 9, 2007. He and his stage partner Yukihiro Takiguchi were honored with a Best Actors Album and praised by the creator of the original work Takeshi Konomi as perfect cast.Information from Tenimyu Supporter DVD 6 InterviewLook at Star Vol. 10 Interview
Seto's official D-Boys logo is a chameleon, in reference to his versatility. In late 2006 he was chosen as Thursday's-face of Oha Suta, a children's TV show airing live every morning on TV Tokyo. He co-hosted the show constantly from then, once a week together with Kōichi Yamadera, until his graduation on April 28, 2008. He starred in his first leading part in spring 2007 as Kyoichi Segawa in Happy Boys. Right after this series, he played Tibe-kun in the live-action film adaptation of Tonari no Yaoi-chan.
The part of Izamu Hayama in the feature film Tenshi ga Kureta Mono was his first cinema production in autumn 2007. He then co-starred in winter 2007 with Aya Ueto and Yo Oizumi in his first Golden Time TV series Abarenbo Mama as a kindergarten teacher. From January 2008 to 2009 he starred as one of Toei's Tokusatsu Heros, the young violinist and half-vampire Wataru Kurenai, the protagonist in Kamen Rider Kiva. About the same time, was Seto chosen among 1000 competitors in an audition for the leading part as the rebel Hiroki "Hiro" Sakurai, in the TV series adaption of Koizora (after the bestseller book by Mika), making him the leading actor for two TV series filmed and broadcast at the same time. Both works earned him a nomination for the renowned Elan d'Or award as Best Newcomer of the Year 2009.33rd elan d´Or Awards
In early 2009, Seto started filming for the latest Ju-On movie Ju-On - Black Girl. He reprised his role as Wataru Kurenai for the first and last episode of Kamen Rider Decade, as well as in Decade: Last Story, the last part of the storyline, as a guest star. Afterwards, he starred as the hotheaded genius-magician Satoru Okura in the Fuji TV drama Atashinchi no Danshi as one of Maki Horikita's six sons, followed by his part as the cheerful, but delusional junior Ariake Yamato in the drama adaption of the Hit-Manga Otomen in Summer. At the end of October, he finished filming with Yusuke Yamamoto for their roles as brothers (having previously starred as brothers in Atashinchi no Danshi) in the award-winning TV movie Rinne no Ame, in which Seto portrayed the mentally disabled, autistic Shuhei Mikami.21st Best Young Scriptwriter Winner "Rinne no Ame"
In early 2010, he played Shunta Matsumoto, a young medical student in the BeeTV drama Gift, a part that was written for him, as an alternative version of himself. In the spring TBS TV series Tumbling, Seto is starring as Yuta Takenaka, captain to the boy's rhythmic gymnastics team at Karasumori High, alongside Yusuke Yamamoto again. For the 10th anniversary commemoration of Watanabe Entertainment, he was selected with fellow D-Boys members Shunji Igarashi, Yuichi Nakamura, and Hirofumi Araki to represent all members of the group in a special unit with a new fifth member determined through the 2010 D-Boys Audition. Recently, he's been filming and played as Mori Ranmaru for the latest Taiga drama Gō for 2011.
Personal life On 7 August 2020, Seto married his costar in TV dramas Hope: Kitai Zero no Shinnyu Shain and Perfect World, Mizuki Yamamoto.
On 29 January 2022, his wife, Yamamoto, made the announcement that she was expecting their first child. The couple's first child was born on 16 May 2023.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2008Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon WorldWataru Kurenai / Kiva(Lead)Motion picture2011Runway BeatBiito "Beat" MizorogiLead role2014HaganaiKodaka HasegawaLead role2018Asako I & IIKushihashi2019No Longer HumanHarube Ima2021Daughter of Lupin the MovieKazuma Sakuraba2022The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the HeroMarcel MarimuraLove NonethelessKōji TadaLead role2023MaboroshiAkimune Kikuiri (voice)Fly Me to the Saitama: From Biwa Lake with LoveKenta Wakatsuki2024Worlds ApartShingo KasamachiAll About SuomiMorio Koiso2025DollhouseTadahiko2026Samurai VengeanceIppachi
Television Year Title Role Notes 2008Kamen Rider KivaWataru Kurenai / KivaLead role2011GōMori RanmaruTaiga drama2015Burning FlowerYoshida ToshimaroTaiga drama2016Hope: Kitai Zero no Shinnyu ShainShinji Kiriake2018Princess JellyfishKuranosuke Koibuchi 2019Daughter of LupinKazuma Sakuraba Perfect WorldHirotaka Koreeda2022The 13 Lords of the ShogunHōjō TokifusaTaiga drama2026Grass for My PillowMinoru KuwanoTelevision film
Discography Year Title CD details Track list2006Tenimyu - Advancement Match Rokkaku feat. Hyotei GakuenOST of the Musical as Eiji KikumaruTrack listTenimyu - Absolute King Rikkai feat. Rokkaku: First ServiceOST of the Musical as Eiji KikumaruTrack list2007Happy Boys Image Collection 1: YasashisaSingle as Kyoichi Segawa Yasashisa Yasashisa unplugged Version Voice MessageTenimyu - Dream Live 4thOST of the Musical as Eiji KikumaruTrack listFinalistSpecial Single for the Tenimyu Hit Finalist Finalist - Forever With You Version Finalist - InstrumentalTenimyu Best Actor's Album 007As Eiji Kikumaru together with Yukihiro Takiguchi as Syuichirou OishiTrack listTenimyu - Absolute King Rikkai feat. Rokkaku: Second ServiceOST of the Musical as Eiji KikumaruTrack listTenimyu Best Actor's Collection 010Extra Seigaku Memorial EditionTrack list2008Destiny's PlayTetra-Fang (Kamen Rider Kiva ED Single) Destiny's Play Destiny's Play NEO Romanesque Guitar Edit Destiny's Play Additional Kivat-bat the 3rd Edit Destiny's Play instrumentalIndividual-SystemTetra-Fang (Kamen Rider Kiva ED Single) Individual-System Individual-System technical guitar fist Individual-System instrumental Individual-System Nago advance fistCircle of LifeSolo Vocalist (Kamen Rider Kiva Movie ED-Single) With you - Wataru feat. Crimson FangSupernovaTetra-Fang (Kamen Rider Kiva Mini-Album) Entrance Procession Supernova (Tribute to Emperor form) Shout in the Moonlight (Tribute to Garulu) Innocent Trap (Tribute to Basshaa) Silent Shout (Tribute to Dogga) Message (Tribute to Father)Roots of the KingTetra-Fang (Kamen Rider Kiva ED-Single) Roots of the King Individual-System acoustic fist Roots of the King instrumental Individual-System acoustic fist instrumentalDestinyTetra-Fang (Kamen Rider Kiva Album) Mind Garden Destiny's Play Roots of the King Lightning to Heaven Exterminate Time Eternity Blood Supernova Individual-System Rainy Rose Prayer: Message2 No matter who You are2009Kamen Rider Kiva Re-UnionTetra-Fang (Kamen Rider Kiva Album) Destiny's Play Re-Union This love never ends (Emperor Edit.) Roots of the King (Acoustic Edit.) Beginning: Message 3
Official photobooks Year Photobook title Description Publisher Release date ISBN2005D-BoysD-Boys First PhotobookTokyo News AgencyApril 27, 20052006Start!D-Boys 2nd PhotobookGakken Co., Ltd.March 15, 20062007Kōji SetoKōji Seto First Solo PhotobookGakken Co., Ltd.April 20072008DashD-Boys Third PhotobookKadokawa Marketing Co., Ltd.December 20082009SetoBookKōji Seto Second Solo PhotobookShufu-to-Seikatsu Sha, Ltd.April 20092010DarlingD-Boys Fourth PhotobookShufu-to-Seikatsu Sha, Ltd.March 20102010Et CeteraKōji Seto Third PhotobookTokyo News Mook, TV Guide11 November 2010
Official DVDs
Series Title DVD details Distributor Release datePrince Series D-Boys CollectionKoji SetoVolume 2Pony CanyonMay 16, 2007D-Boys Boy Friend SeriesSet OutVolume 10Geneon EntertainmentMay 26, 2010
Awards Year Award Category Work(s) Result Ref.202344th Yokohama Film FestivalBest ActorLove Nonetheless
See also The Prince of Tennis
References
External links
Koji Seto's D-Boys Profile