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| Koroki Yamato |
CLOUDTENPEDIA - Koroki Yamato (興梠 大和, Koroki Yamato, born October 20) is a Japanese idol, dancer, and performer. He is a founding member of the theater-based boy group Cloud ten, a project produced by Yasushi Akimoto that debuted in 2026. Known for his bright smile, acrobatic dance style, and outgoing personality, Koroki has been described as the group's "communication king" and a central figure in its early stage performances.
Early Life and Background
Koroki Yamato was born on October 20 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. From a very young age, he aspired to become an idol, a dream influenced by his mother, who was a devoted fan of singer and actor Tomohisa Yamashita. Koroki has recalled writing "I want to be an idol" on tanabata wish strips every year during his elementary school years, a fact his family still remembers fondly.
During his childhood, Koroki gained some early experience as a kids' model, which gave him a degree of comfort in front of the camera before his formal debut. In junior high school, he was a member of the kendo club, practicing almost daily for three years. He has credited this experience with strengthening his mental resilience and discipline, qualities he now applies to his performance career. His blood type is B, his height is 168 cm, and his MBTI personality type is ENFJ.
Career
Joining Cloud ten
In 2026, Koroki was selected as one of thirty members for Cloud ten, a "theater boys project" (shiatā bōizu purojekuto) produced by Yasushi Akimoto, the renowned producer behind AKB48 and Nogizaka46. The project was established by From ZERO LLC, a joint venture between Mitsui Fudosan, Tokyo Dome Corporation, and Y&N Brothers, with auditions held in secret from the summer of the previous year.
Koroki learned about the audition through an acquaintance of his mother and decided to apply. When he passed, his family's reaction was immediate and emotional. His parents' first words to him were "thank you," and his older sister offered her congratulations. Reflecting on the moment, Koroki has stated that while he was overjoyed, he also felt a sense of responsibility toward the other audition participants who had not been selected. He resolved to carry their aspirations with him and to work hard on their behalf.
Cloud ten was unveiled at a press conference in Tokyo on April 23, 2026, where the thirty members performed their original songs "Sarigenai Mirai," "Kimi to Someday," and "Gomen Ai Koso Subete". During the Q&A session, Koroki spoke candidly about the challenges of synchronizing formations with such a large group, but also expressed confidence in the group's dedicated theater as a unique strength. "We have a theater, which is a big weapon," he said. "I hope fans will watch us grow and power up through this theater and future events".
Theater Debut and Performances
Cloud ten opened its dedicated venue, Cloud ten THEATER, inside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba on August 2, 2026. With approximately 300 seats, the theater was designed to create an intimate "witnessing" experience, a concept Akimoto compared to the early days of AKB48's theater performances. The group's thirty members were divided into three rotating teams of eleven for daily performances.
Koroki was part of the second team that made its theater debut on August 3, 2026, performing in the show "We're Cloud ten." The performance featured sixteen songs, including the group's debut numbers and unit segments. In the unit block, Koroki performed a duet with fellow member Nemoto Atsushi titled "Yūyake ga Itsumo to Chigatte Mieru" (The Sunset Looks Different Than Usual), which was noted for the pair's strong stage chemistry. He also performed the song "An Underwater Flower" as part of the theater repertoire.
Beyond the theater, Koroki has participated in numerous promotional events across the Kanto region, including performances at Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu, Lazona Kawasaki Plaza, and DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. These "overture events" (ohirome ibento) were held to introduce the group to the public ahead of the theater's opening, and Koroki has spoken about the gratitude he felt toward the fans who began supporting them during this period.
Artistry and Public Image
Performance Style
Koroki's performance strengths lie in his acrobatic ability and his expressive smile. He lists rondat backflips (rondāto bakuten) as his primary special skill, and he is also known for his impersonations of people close to him. His dance style has been described by the media as full of "dynamism" (yakudōkan mankai), and he has repeatedly named his "happy smile" as his most distinctive charm point, noting that his large mouth when he laughs is a personal favorite feature.
In interviews, Koroki has emphasized the importance of stage presence and audience connection. He has stated that his goal in every performance is to make the audience happy through his smile and energy. His fellow member Ueno Seiji has described him as someone who "gets along with anyone right away," a quality that earned Koroki the informal title of the group's "communication king" (komyuryoku number one).
Influences
Koroki has consistently named Tomohisa Yamashita as his idol and inspiration. He has cited Yamashita's versatility across music, acting, and variety as a model for his own career aspirations, noting that Yamashita's ability to speak English fluently is particularly admirable. Koroki has expressed a desire to meet Yamashita one day, and he has also mentioned an interest in appearing on variety shows such as Ueda to Onna ga Hoeru Yoru and Shabekuri 007.
His musical influences within Cloud ten include the group's original repertoire, which blends upbeat pop melodies with theatrical presentation. The group's name, Cloud ten, is derived from the idea of surpassing "Cloud nine" (the highest state of happiness), reflecting the project's ambition to create a new level of entertainment.
Personal Life
Koroki's hobbies include watching movies, snowboarding, and collecting merchandise from his favorite anime. He has mentioned that snowboarding is a way for him to relieve stress and stay active outside of his idol activities. His favorite films span a variety of genres, though he has not publicly specified particular titles.
He maintains a close relationship with his family, particularly his mother, whose fandom of Tomohisa Yamashita played a formative role in his career path. He has also spoken about the supportive bond he shares with his fellow Cloud ten members, describing the group as a collection of thirty unique individuals united by a shared goal.
Among the members, he is especially close to Uji Toma, whom he has described as someone with a gentle atmosphere that calms the room, and Hamaya Motoki, a fellow member with whom he shares a mutual respect for physical fitness and dance training. His nickname within the group is "YamaT" (ヤマT), a playful abbreviation of his name.
Legacy and Future Prospects
As a member of Cloud ten, Koroki Yamato is part of a project that aims to redefine the theater idol model in Japan. The group's operations are centered on the Cloud ten THEATER in Odaiba, with daily rotating performances designed to build a dedicated fanbase through proximity and repetition. Akimoto has stated that the project's long-term goal is to grow from the theater to arena, dome, and stadium performances, following a trajectory similar to his previous idol groups.
Koroki's personal ambitions align with this larger vision. He has expressed a desire to make Cloud ten a household name, recognizable even to those who are not typically interested in idols. "I want to make this group known to people who don't know much about idols," he has said, "and I want to meet Tomohisa Yamashita".
His trajectory from a childhood dream shaped by his mother's fandom to a founding member of a major theatrical idol project reflects both his long-standing commitment to the dream and the unique opportunities presented by Cloud ten's theater-based model. As one of the group's most visible early performers, Koroki continues to develop his craft through daily stage performances and public events.