From karate champion to screen star: the multifaceted rise of Ryusei Yokohama
In short: Before becoming a recognizable face in Japanese television, Ryusei Yokohama was a competitive martial artist. His journey from a sixth-grade discovery in Harajuku to a versatile actor and former singer reveals the disciplined path behind modern Japanese idol culture and the talent scouting systems of Stardust Promotion.
Born on September 16, 1996, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Ryusei Yokohama's career began with a chance encounter. While on a family trip to the Harajuku district of Tokyo during his sixth-grade year, he was spotted by a talent scout. This early discovery eventually led him to Stardust Promotion, the agency that also manages the male talent group Ebidan, of which Yokohama was once a member.
Before his acting career took flight, Yokohama demonstrated significant physical discipline. He is a practitioner of Kyokushin karate, a skill that saw him achieve international success. In 2011, he secured a victory at the 7th International Youth Karate Tournament, competing in the under 55kg division for boys aged 13 to 14. This athletic foundation likely contributed to his early roles in action-oriented media, such as his 2012 debut in Kamen Rider Fourze.
His television career is marked by diverse roles that span genres. In February 2014, he appeared in the Super Sentai series Ressha Sentai ToQger as Hikari, also known as ToQ 4gou. He later transitioned into romantic comedy, gaining significant recognition for his role as the pink-haired Yuri Kyohei in the 2019 production about first love. His versatility is further evidenced by his history as a fashion model for Nikopuchi and his early commercial work for Eiko Seminar.
Yokohama's trajectory follows a structured path common in the Japanese entertainment industry. Following his discovery, he underwent formal training, graduating from a specialized men's modelling course in March 2015. This blend of athletic prowess, formal modelling instruction, and diverse acting roles has established him as a prominent figure in contemporary Japanese pop culture.
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