KAT-TUN (カトゥーン, Katūn?, sounding similar to "cartoon") is a Japanese boy band formed by Johnny & Associates (JE) in 2001, released on their own label, J-One Records. The group's name is an acronym formed by the members' surname initials. Currently one of the most popular boy bands in Japan, all 10 singles, 4 studio albums and 7 DVDs released by the group have debuted at number one on the Oricon music and DVD charts.
Their debut was marked by a tripartite release, consisting of a single, an album and a DVD: Real Face, Best of KAT-TUN and Real Face Film. All three shattered sales records.
Kazuya Kamenashi: is the youngest member of KAT-TUN. Often described as the most dependable, he serves as co-lead vocalist with Akanishi. He is noted for his talent in baseball, having once represented Japan in a world tournament as a child though he had to give up dreams of playing professionally after joining JE. Kamenashi debuted before the rest of the group as part of Shūji to Akira whose only song, "Seishun Amigo", became 2005's number one single in Japan with over 1.6 million copies sold to date.[1] An established actor with award-winning performances in television dramas Nobuta wo Produce, Gokusen 2 and Kami no Shizuku, he has also appeared in Yūki, Tatta Hitotsu no Koi, Suppli and 1 Pound no Fukuin. He will make his film debut in the final installment of the Gokusen series, Gokusen: The Movie, in July 2009.
Jin Akanishi: is the second lead vocalist and arguably one of the more popular members in KAT-TUN. He went on hiatus from October 2006 to April 2007 to study English in Los Angeles just as KAT-TUN were six months into their debut. Akanishi plays the guitar and is a budding songwriter having written several songs for the group and himself. Also an actor, he has had roles in Gokusen 2, Anego, Yukan Club and made his debut as a seiyū in 2008 providing the voice for Speed Racer in the Japanese-dubbed version. He will make his film debut in Bandage which is scheduled for release in 2010.
Junnosuke Taguchi: is recognized for being good at acrobatics. He needed an operation in February 2004 after sustaining a bad knee injury during rehearsals and did not return until August 2004. Taguchi is known as the most light-hearted member with a carefree-like nature. Often picked on by the other members for his frequent use of dajare (Japanese word puns), he also has a tendency to randomly jump between topics during meetings and interviews leading the others to label him "KY" (a person who is unable to read an atmosphere properly). Taguchi is an award-winning actor[2][3] with roles in Mohou-han, Ganbatte Ikimasshoi, Happy!, Happy! 2, Hanayome to Papa and Yukan Club.
Kōki Tanaka: performs most of the rap lyrics, which he writes himself. Though he wanted to leave KAT-TUN when it was first formed, he changed his mind after the group held their first concert. Influenced by hip-hop and reggae at an early age, he found the task of rapping in an idol group made easier due to Shō Sakurai's breakthrough for Arashi.[4] Artistically inclined, Tanaka can illustrate well and designs his own apparel. With bandmate Nakamaru, they make up a comedic unit, TaNaka (a portmanteau of their surnames), and perform skits together during concerts. An actor who won multiple awards for his performance in My Boss, My Hero[5], he has also appeared in Byakkotai, Tatta Hitotsu no Koi and took on his first lead role in 2007 in Tokkyu Tanaka 3 Go. He is currently starring in the third season of TV Asahi's Hissatsu Shigotonin as Ren, an assassin, opposite senpai Noriyuki Higashiyama (of Shōnentai) and Masahiro Matsuoka (of TOKIO). He is the older brother of Johnny's Jr. member, Jūri Tanaka.
Tatsuya Ueda: is the quietest member and rarely speaks unless spoken to. Ironically, he chose to become KAT-TUN's leader at first but later quit because he could not handle being scolded during dance rehearsals, also denoting his sensitive nature. Ueda plays the piano and guitar and is an able composer and lyricist, having written songs for the group and himself. He is the first KAT-TUN member to hold a series of solo concerts entitled "Mouse Peace" in September 2008 performing songs across various genres, such as rock, dance, ballad, and folk, all of which he penned himself.[6] Ueda is an avid boxer and has enough skill in the sport for him to be advised by professionals to get a professional boxing license.[7] He made his acting debut as a stage actor in the play Romeo and Juliet in March 2009. He is currently starring in his first drama role in Fuji TV's dramedy series, Konkatsu!, opposite senpai Masahiro Nakai (of SMAP) and popular actress, Aya Ueto.[8]
Yuichi Nakamaru: is the oldest member of the group. The first JE idol to prominently showcase beatboxing and vocal percussion ability, Nakamaru learned by diligently studying hundreds of examples from hip-hop albums after KAT-TUN was formed. His primary motivation was to set himself apart from the rest of the members since he did not want to be seen as dull.[9] He often shares MC duties with Kamenashi but in private, is rather shy and reserved and whose meek nature particularly shows when amongst strangers. He also has a well-documented fear of heights - one that the group has attempted to lessen by making him bungee jump continuously for 10 consecutive days during their historic concert run at Tokyo Dome in May 2009. He is currently studying at Waseda University reading Environmental Studies.[10] He is also a songwriter and the first member to do a solo stage show - performing songs, dance, beat boxing and skits for two weeks in August 2008.[11] Nakamaru is also a budding actor with roles in Sushi Ōji! and took on his first lead role in early 2009 in RESCUE.
