Saotome Taichi
- Name: Saotome Taichi
- Native name: 早乙女太一
- Also Known as: Nagashime Ouji, Sidelong Glance Prince
- Nationality: Japanese
- Gender: Male
- Born: September 24, 1991
- Age: 33
His father is the head of the gekidan sujaku theatre troupe, and Saotome grew up within the troupe, performing primarily in taishū engeki, a theatrical form related to kabuki, but less formalized. Identified as having a natural talent as an onnagata (female impersonator), he has been trained in that field and performs in female roles onstage.
He has acted in two films by director Takeshi Kitano. In 2003, in Zatoichi, he portrayed the child Seitaro who, when older, disguised himself as a geisha (played by Daigoro Tachibana). Though in a different troupe from Tachibana, the two have frequently practiced and performed together. Saotome was also in Kitano's 2005 film, Takeshis', in which he was credited as himself, playing a young female impersonator and dancer.
Saotome also plays young male roles, particularly those with a bishōnen aesthetic, i.e. graceful, beautiful young men. In 2005, he played the role of Mori Ranmaru in a National Museum event called "Sengoku Fantasy", and on New Year's 2007, he played a young Horibe Yasubee in the NHK New Year's jidaigeki play.
Though he has not appeared in many films, Saotome has a powerful fan following in the theatre, and his official fan club was established in 2006. He has said that he does not really understand his appeal, but is happy that people of all ages enjoy his performances. His appearance on the variety show D no Gekijō in late January 2007 was one of a number of his events which have generated an overwhelming fan response. It was arranged that he would reprise the same performance, a dance in a flower-decorated kimono, at the Taishōkan, soon afterward. The performance was sold out the next day. Many of his fellow performers from D no Gekijō and other events are said to have become fans of his as well, and make time in their busy schedules to attend his performances.
Saotome has expressed a desire to play men's roles and to perform in more mainstream or traditional theatre, saying that he has never much cared for playing female roles. He recently got the chance to play the main lead in the delinquent film "Crows Explode" and he's trying to build his film and drama TV career besides his theatre life. Edit Biography
Drama
Title | Rating |
---|---|
Heart Attack
Japanese Drama, 2024, 10 eps
Eiichi Eiichi
(Support Role)
|
0.0
|
Kinshicho Paradise: Shibuya kara Ippon
Japanese Drama, 2024, 12 eps
Hirai [Millenium Falcon]
(Support Role)
|
6.9
|
Fermat no Ryori
Japanese Drama, 2023, 10 eps
Watanuki Teppei (Ep. 4)
(Guest Role)
|
8.0
|
Knockin' on Locked Door
Japanese Drama, 2023, 9 eps
Itogiri Mikage
(Support Role)
|
7.6
|
Shinai naru Boku e Satsui wo Komete
Japanese Drama, 2022, 9 eps
Hachinoi Makoto
(Support Role)
|
7.8
|
Owaraseru Mono
Japanese Drama, 2022, 10 eps
Hashimoto Junki
(Main Role)
|
6.8
|
Roppongi Class
Japanese Drama, 2022, 13 eps
Nagaya Ryuga
(Support Role)
|
7.7
|
Fuujinshi
Japanese Drama, 2022, 9 eps
Osagami Kakeru
(Main Role)
|
7.8
|
Mystery to Iunakare
Japanese Drama, 2022, 12 eps
Ihara Kaneto / "Hono no Tenshi" (Ep. 3, 6-7)
(Guest Role)
|
8.7
|
Come Come Everybody
Japanese Drama, 2021, 112 eps
”Tommy” [Musician]
(Support Role)
|
7.9
|
Kaisha wa Gakkou jane-n da yo - Shin Sedai Gyakushuu Hen
Japanese Drama, 2021, 8 eps
Takumi Hitaka
(Guest Role)
|
7.1
|
High&Low: The Worst Episode.O
Japanese Drama, 2019, 6 eps
Ryu ['Kuryu Group' member] (Ep. 3)
(Guest Role)
|
8.0
|
Tokyo Dokushin Danshi
Japanese Drama, 2019, 8 eps
Itoi Ritsuki
(Support Role)
|
7.6
|
Cold Case: Shinjitsu no Tobira Season 2
Japanese Drama, 2018, 10 eps
Tokita Ryuzo / Adachi Isao [Young] (Ep. 9)
(Guest Role)
|
8.2
|
Boukyaku no Sachiko
Japanese Drama, 2018, 12 eps
Shungo
(Support Role)
|
7.5
|
Kaisha wa Gakkou jane-n da yo
Japanese Drama, 2018, 8 eps
Takumi [Cypher Creation]
(Support Role)
|
7.7
|
Futagashira Season 2
Japanese Drama, 2016, 5 eps
Soji
(Main Role)
|
7.9
|
High&Low: The Story of S.W.O.R.D. Season 2
Japanese Drama, 2016, 10 eps
Ryu ['Mighty Warriors' member]
(Support Role)
|
8.2
|
High&Low: The Story of S.W.O.R.D.
Japanese Drama, 2015, 10 eps
Ryu ['Mighty Warriors' member] (Ep. 10)
(Guest Role)
|
8.3
|
Futagashira
Japanese Drama, 2015, 5 eps
Soji
(Main Role)
|
7.4
|
TENSHI TO AKUMA - Mikaiketsu Jiken Tokumei Koshouka
Japanese Drama, 2015, 9 eps
(Ep. 6)
(Guest Role)
|
7.3
|
Nobunaga Concerto
Japanese Drama, 2014, 11 eps
Danzo (Ep. 1-4)
(Guest Role)
|
8.3
|
Kuro no Onna Kyoushi
Japanese Drama, 2012, 10 eps
Sudo Tatsuya (Ep.1)
(Guest Role)
|
7.2
|
Juui Dolittle
Japanese Drama, 2010, 9 eps
Masuyama Hiroki (Ep. 7)
(Guest Role)
|
7.4
|
Shinzanmono
Japanese Drama, 2010, 10 eps
Uesugi Kazuhiro (Ep.7,10)
(Guest Role)
|
7.7
|
Asakusa Fukumaru Ryokan 2
Japanese Drama, 2007, 11 eps
[Himself] (Ep. 3)
(Guest Role)
|
6.5
|
Movie
Title | Rating |
---|---|
Maru
Japanese Movie, 2024,
Tsuchiya
(Support Role)
|
0.0
|
Abudeka Is Back
Japanese Movie, 2024,
Kaido Takumi
(Support Role)
|
0.0
|
Shikakenin Fujieda Baian 1
Japanese Movie, 2023,
Ishikawa Tomogoro
(Support Role)
|
7.0
|
The Blood of Wolves Level 2
Japanese Movie, 2021,
Hanada Masaru
(Support Role)
|
7.7
|
High&Low: The Worst
Japanese Movie, 2019,
Ryu ['Kuryu Group' member]
(Guest Role)
|
8.4
|
Iwane: Sword of Serenity
Japanese Movie, 2019,
Kuniemon
(Support Role)
|
7.2
|
Nakimushi Shottan no Kiseki
Japanese Movie, 2018,
Daisuke Kato
(Support Role)
|
7.6
|
Bleach
Japanese Movie, 2018,
Abarai Renji
(Support Role)
|
7.6
|
High&Low the Movie 3: Final Mission
Japanese Movie, 2017,
Ryu
(Support Role)
|
8.4
|
High&Low the Movie 2: End of Sky
Japanese Movie, 2017,
Ryu
(Support Role)
|
8.4
|
Memoirs of a Murderer
Japanese Movie, 2017,
Toda Jo
(Support Role)
|
7.9
|
Tatara Samurai
Japanese Movie, 2017,
Inoue Tatsunoshin
(Support Role)
|
6.8
|
High&Low: The Red Rain
Japanese Movie, 2016,
Ryu
(Support Role)
|
8.1
|
High&Low: The Movie
Japanese Movie, 2016,
Ryu
(Support Role)
|
8.3
|
Road to High&Low
Japanese Movie, 2016,
Ryu ['Mighty Warriors' member]
(Guest Role)
|
7.8
|
Crows Explode
Japanese Movie, 2014,
Kagami Ryohei
(Main Role)
|
7.0
|
A Boy Called H
Japanese Movie, 2013,
Shimoyama Kokichi
(Support Role)
|
7.4
|
Banyuki
Japanese Movie, 2010,
Katashiro / "Toui"
(Support Role)
|
7.7
|
Takeshis'
Japanese Movie, 2005,
Himself
(Support Role)
|
6.8
|
Zatoichi
Japanese Movie, 2003,
Osei [Young]
(Support Role)
|
7.6
|
Special
Title | Rating |
---|---|
Black Jack
Japanese Special, 2024, 1 eps
Goto Kazuma
(Support Role)
|
7.3
|
Batsuichi 2-ri wa Miteina Kankei: Jinsei wa Ni-taku Janai! Hen
Japanese Special, 2023, 1 eps
Nakamura Shugo
(Support Role)
|
7.3
|
Batsuichi 2-ri wa Miteina Kankei: "Futsu", Yamemasu! Hen
Japanese Special, 2023, 1 eps
Nakamura Shugo
(Support Role)
|
6.7
|
Remote de Korosareru
Japanese Special, 2020, 1 eps
Inoue Toru
(Main Role)
|
7.2
|
Boukyaku no Sachiko: New Years Special
Japanese Special, 2020, 1 eps
Shungo
(Support Role)
|
7.5
|
High&Low: The Mighty Warriors
Japanese Special, 2017, 1 eps
Ryu
(Main Role)
|
7.3
|
Nobunaga Moyu
Japanese Special, 2016, 1 eps
Oda Nobutada
(Support Role)
|
7.3
|
Shabake: Uso Uso
Japanese Special, 2008, 1 eps
Suzunosuke
(Support Role)
|
6.8
|
Anmitsu Hime
Japanese Special, 2008, 2 eps
Momoyama Sandayo
(Support Role)
|
6.8
|
Shabake
Japanese Special, 2007, 1 eps
Suzuhiko-hime
(Support Role)
|
6.9
|
TV Show
Title | Rating |
---|---|
A-Studio+
Japanese TV Show, 2009, 810 eps
(Ep. 417)
(Guest)
|
10.0
|
Vs Arashi
Japanese TV Show, 2008, 561 eps
(Ep. 315, 398, 418)
(Guest)
|
8.4
|
Run for Money
Japanese TV Show, 2004, 63 eps
(Ep. 51)
(Guest)
|
8.0
|
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