| Sekai |
Yamamoto Sekai (山本世界), better known by the stage name Sekai (世界), is a Japanese performer and choreographer. He is a member of EXILE and one of the leaders of FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE.
He is also a member of the dance crews "FTHEB" and "XXIV CLAN".
Early Life[]
Yamamoto Sekai was born on February 21, 1991 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He is an only child.[1]
Known as the "poster child of dance", he started dancing at the age of 2 under the influence of his mother, a former Takarazuka actress and dance instructor. As he stood on stage, he realized his passion for performing: "I learned the joy of being seen by others, and naturally fell in love with the stage."[2][3] Since his parents' home was located near a U.S. military base (Yokosuka Naval Facility), he also got in touch with Hip-Hop and American pop culture at a very young age.[2][4]
On this account, he auditioned on his own and appeared as Young Simba in Shiki Theatre Company's musical The Lion King from 2001 to 2003.[5][3] At the same time, he learned Hip-Hop from TATSU of O.G.S, House from TooRu of PYRO, and various other genres of dance from leading dancers when he was in elementary school.[2] After he became a junior high school student, he started working with DJs such as Masaya and Bobby (J.S.B Underground) who were DJs for DANCE@LIVE.[6]
After graduating from high school, he moved to New York at the age of 18 to study under LOOSE JOINT, an original member of ELITE FORCE, a legendary dance team that laid the foundation for Hip-Hop dance.[2][7][6]
Career[]
2010-2013[]
In the following years, he honed his dance skills even further. In 2010, he was selected as one of the top 4 of the dance battle event "STEP YA GAME UP 2010", held in New York. In 2011, he became a back dancer for Miura Daichi and other artists. In 2012, he won the HIPHOP category of "STEP YA GAME UP 2012" held by STRETCH of ELITE FORCE. At the same time, he worked as an instructor at EXPG Tokyo, teaching students such as Sato Taiki, Sawamoto Natsuki and Kimura Keito.[2][7][8]
2014[]
In 2014, Sekai participated in the EXILE PERFORMER BATTLE AUDITION. Looking back, he later said, "[...] I intuitively thought that although dance competitions produce champions in the world every year, now is the only time when I could become a member of EXILE. However, rather than wanting to pass the audition, I simply wanted to show my dance to the members."[2][6] On April 27, he was announced as one of the winners of the audition and joined EXILE as a new performer.[5]
Incidentally, he mentions EXILE TETSUYA as the one who greatly influenced him in auditioning. They have known each other since 2000, and when Sekai was in the second grade of elementary school, TETSUYA, who was 19 years old at that time, was also learning dance from TATSU of O.G.S. Originally, Sekai aspired to "participate in underground dance competitions, or become a dance teacher and travel around the world", but when TETSUYA joined EXILE in 2009, he changed his goals and dreamed of dancing with EXILE.[2][7]
2016[]
On December 29, 2016, it was revealed that he had become a member and leader (alongside Sato Taiki) of the unit FANTASTICS.
2018[]
On December 5, 2018, he re-debuted as a member of FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE.
2022[]
In November 2022, he made his debut as a voice actor for the movie That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken: Guren no Kizuna-hen). He was in charge of voicing the character "Fuji".[9][10][11]
Personal Life[]
- Family
His mother, Aoki Ryo, is a former member of the 60th Takarazuka Revue.[2][3] During her tenure with the troupe, she won numerous dance awards. After leaving the troupe, she has been teaching mainly kids, and is currently the representative of "dance studio R" in Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama.[12]
- Health
On July 4, 2019, he got injured during the first concert of BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~ and was later diagnosed with metatarsal bone fracture, being absent from the July 5 to 7 concerts.[13][14] He participated as MC only on the July 6 concert.
Works[]
Filmography[]
- Stage
- [2001-2003] Shiki Theatre Company "The Lion King"
- [2013] DANCE EARTH ~Seimei no Kodo~ (DANCE EARTH ～生命の鼓動～)
- [2020] Immersive Theater "Sakurahime" ~"Oki Azuma Bunsho" Yori~ (イマーシブシアター「『サクラヒメ』～『桜姫東文章』より～」)
- TV Dramas
- [2016] Night Hero NAOTO (episode 3, ending dance)
- TV Programs
- [2020-Present] Ii Koto! Mitai! Shiritai! Dekaketai! (いいコト! 見たい! 知りたい! 出かけたい!)
- Digital Programs
- [2016-2017] DANCER'S PRIDE
- Voice Acting
- [2022] That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond - Fuji
- [2022] Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush!! (遊☆戯☆王ゴーラッシュ！！) (episode 36)[15]
- [2023] City Hunter the Movie: Angel Dust (劇場版シティーハンター 天使の涙（エンジェルダスト）) - Mohawk Suspect[16]
- [2023] Toaru Ossan no VRMMO Katsudouki (とあるおっさんのＶＲＭＭＯ活動記) (episode 6)
Music[]
- Live Concerts
- [2010] Miriam Yeung World Tour Live Hong Kong "Ladies&Gentlemen"
- [2011] Miura Daichi - "DAICHI MIURA LIVE TOUR 2011 ~Synesthesia~"
- [2011] Ketsumeishi "Aretsu? Kono Ojisantachi Mitakotoaru! Soudesu! Shita no Hou de Fes 2011 Tettere♪"
- [2012] Ketsumeishi "Yami Kara Hikari e Nyoui Doun! Ketsumeishi Tsua 2013 ~etsu? Tsuika Kouen? Itsu Yaru no? …Imadesho!"
- Music Video Appearances
- [2011] Shimizu Shota - "Madaowaranai"
- [2012] Miura Daichi - "SHOUT IT -LIVE EDITION-"
- [2015] EXILE SHOKICHI - "IGNITION"
- [2016] GENERATIONS - "AGEHA"
- [2022] iScream - "Tsutsumi Komu You ni... (TRIBE WITH THE RHYTHM Ver.)"
- Choreography
- FANTASTICS
- "OVER DRIVE"[2]
- "WHAT A WONDER"[2]
- "Time Camera" (chorus)[17]
- "FANTASTIC 9"[18]
- "Play Back"[19]
- "PERFECT MAGIC"[20]
- "STOP FOR NOTHING"
- "Drive Me Crazy"
- "Santa Monica Lollipop"
- "Escape" (second chorus and D melody to interlude)[21]
- "Choo Choo TRAIN" (melody and interludes)
- "STARBOYS"
- iScream
- Furin.
- "POPCORN" (chorus)[23]
Production[]
Publications[]
- Serializations
- [2023.04.-present] EXILE/FANTASTICS Sekai ga Kataru Anime no Sekai! (EXILE/FANTASTICS世界が語るアニメの世界！) - Akiba Souken
- [2023.05.10-present] Shounen Sekai no Susume Entertainment Dou (年セカイのススメエンタメ道) - PASH![27]
Trivia[]
- His main dance genre is Hip-Hop. However, he is good at all genres, having learned house dance as a child and ballet and jazz dance for over 10 years under the influence of his mother.[2][3]
- For this reason, he is often in charge of the choreography and composition in FANTASTICS, and plays the role of a dance leader.[2][28]
- Regarding his own dance, he says, "Even now when I dance, I am imbued with the consciousness of ballet, and I pay attention to my fingertips and posture."[2][3]
- His goal is to communicate the joy of dance while interacting with various industries.[29]
- Described as cheerful and nerdy, but also as a hardworking person with a strong sense of responsibility who can make people laugh with his interesting talk in public scenes. He has a strong belief that "the experience of sharing the stage with the original members of EXILE should be passed on to the younger members".[2]
- Has been to New York a lot and is a good friend of the dance crew ELITE FORCE and Marquest from MISFITS.[6]
- Has a lot of dancer friends in South Korea.[30]
- In his childhood, his dance friends were all college-aged or older adults.[1][31]
- Played with Tachibana Kenchi and TETSUYA since elementary school.[4]
- A huge fan of Japanese manga, anime, pop culture, games and American superhero movies.[7][1]
- He occasionally works as an interviewer for the Japanese pop culture news site "OTAQUEST".[7]
- He describes himself as a "Japanese OTAQU-like Dancer".[2][32]
- According to himself, he became a fan of pop culture in the early grades of elementary school since he was an only child, his mother worked and he spent a lot of time alone.[1][31]
- Very knowledgeable about works, creators, and voice actors regardless of genre.[33]
- Likes the Shonen Jump series.[31]
- Reads a variety of manga, including Shojo manga such as Cardcaptor Sakura.[33]
- Often talks about manga and anime with Kawamura Kazuma and Sato Kanta.[34][35]
- The work that inspired him to continue watching anime even after he became an adult was Neon Genesis Evangelion.[31]
- ☆Taku Takahashi of m-flo influenced him to be more vocal about his interest in pop culture.[31]
- Has a lot of friendships with voice actors.[33]
- According to himself, he initially felt anxious being a member of EXILE.[6]
- For the first two and a half years after joining EXILE, he lived with Sato Taiki who joined the group at the same time.[36][35]
- According to the two, they had a cooperative routine for household chores despite having different life styles and rhythms. For example, Sato would do the housework and put the garbage at the door, and Sekai would take out the garbage the next day. Also, Sekai often cooked for them.[35]
- Fatherly figure in FANTASTICS.[37]
- Formed the dance crew "FTHEB" in 2016.
- Formed the dance crew "XXIV CLAN" in 2015.
- Its members are Sekai, TAISUKE (THE FLOORRIORZ), KATSUYA (THE FLOORRIORZ), YASS (Beat Buddy Boi) and Toyotaka (Beat Buddy Boi).[6]
- The crew was created due to an offer from MAKIDAI to put together a world-centered dance team to perform at a PKCZ® event.[6]
- All members liked WU-TAN CLAN, so they decided to add something to the beginning of CLAN, and since 24Karats supported them with costumes, they named their team "XXIV CLAN".[6]
- One of his motivations for being an EXILE member is to give something back to the dance scene, which is also one of the group's goals. "We talk about what we could do to give back to the dance scene and how we could help the younger generation to make a living from dance."[6]
- In interviews in 2020, he revealed that his current dream is to "open a YouTube channel to introduce his favorite dance and anime" and to "perform more anime songs with FANTASTICS".[2][38][34]
- Has always want to pass and exceed voice actor auditions, and trains as a voice actor when he feels it is necessary for a certain role.[30]
- In terms of voice acting, he would like to play a villain.[35]
- Likes singing and appeared in musicals in the past. He also likes going to karaoke.[30]
- A fan of Utada Hikaru.[39]
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, he bought an MPC and started learning to play it.[39]
- Since then he has performed it at several live tours of FANTASTICS.[40]
- An indoor person.[34]
- Quite fluent in English. He can also speak a bit of Chinese, French and Korean.[41]
- Is attracted to places where entertainment is booming, such as New York, Las Vegas or France.[30]
- Used to go out to dinner, go shopping for clothes, and see movies together with Kuroki Keiji.[42]
- Opened his own channel on the streaming platform V Jumplay in August 2020.
Honorary Titles[]
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceeded by First |
Leader of FANTASTICS (alongside Sato Taiki) January 2017 - present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceeded by First |
Oldest Member of FANTASTICS January 2017 - present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/enennoshobotai02
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 https://realsound.jp/2020/08/post-607388.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 https://okepi.net/kangeki/1699
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/1808335
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 EXILE新パフォーマー決定 関口メンディー・白濱亜嵐ら5人加入
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 https://dews365.com/archives/90254.html
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 https://hochi.news/articles/20190927-OHT1T50128.html?page=1
- ↑ EXPG Diary Vol. 6 Page 14
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/496579
- ↑ https://screenonline.jp/SCREEN_Plus/17575225
- ↑ https://m.tribe-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=40233
- ↑ https://dancestudior-11.amebaownd.com/pages/3476217/page_201912301537
- ↑ 『BATTLE OF TOKYO ～ENTER THE Jr.EXILE～』幕張メッセ公演におけるFANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE パフォーマー世界の出演に関するご報告
- ↑ Notice on the appearance of FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE's performer Sekai in "BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~" Makuhari Messe shows
- ↑ https://yu-gi-oh.jp/news_detail.php?page=details&id=1453
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/535530
- ↑ https://realsound.jp/2020/09/post-626991_2.html
- ↑ https://realsound.jp/2020/10/post-631283_2.html
- ↑ https://realsound.jp/2021/03/post-726904_2.html
- ↑ https://realsound.jp/2021/07/post-803700.html
- ↑ https://realsound.jp/2022/06/post-1052303.html
- ↑ https://www.thefirsttimes.jp/news/0000115918/
- ↑ https://realsound.jp/2022/09/post-1119141.html
- ↑ https://okmusic.jp/news/249543
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2303960/full/
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/post-6940
- ↑ https://m.tribe-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=42820
- ↑ https://glowonline.jp/column/8124/
- ↑ https://with.kodansha.co.jp/article/interview-fantastics-2
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/322304/
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 https://times.abema.tv/articles/-/8627607
- ↑ https://www.elle.com/jp/culture/music-art-book/g43485285/fantastics-interview-230419/
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1710209544
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/enennoshobotai02/page/2
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 https://natalie.mu/music/pp/tensura_movie02/page/2
- ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/499771/3/
- ↑ https://gingerweb.jp/timeless/person/article/20190427-sekai
- ↑ https://ananweb.jp/news/275622/
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000198594
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/music/detail/3919521
- ↑ https://realsound.jp/2020/09/post-624123.html
- ↑ https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/189736/
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