Hiraishi Aiki

CLOUDTENPEDIA - Hiraishi Aiki (平石 愛葵, born January 10) is a Japanese idol, dancer, and singer. He is a first-generation member of the Japanese boy band Cloud ten, a theater-based male idol project created and produced by Yasushi Akimoto. Hiraishi is known for his sharp, agile dance style and the striking gap between his shy, soft-spoken off-stage demeanor and his intense, charismatic stage presence.

Early Life

Hiraishi Aiki was born on January 10 in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. He grew up in a supportive family who encouraged his interests from a young age. His family also has ties to the entertainment industry, though his own path to becoming an idol was shaped primarily by his passion for physical expression.

Hiraishi was an active child with a deep love for sports and movement. He played basketball and developed a strong athletic foundation. His first serious encounter with dance came as a natural extension of his physical curiosity. What began as a casual interest quickly became a central part of his identity. Hiraishi has stated that he often spends his days off practicing dance or playing basketball, and that physical activity serves as his primary method of stress relief. He also enjoys fishing, a hobby that reflects his quieter, more patient nature away from the stage.

Career

Pre-Debut and Formation of Cloud ten

In June 2025, Yasushi Akimoto announced the "Theater Boys Group Audition 2025," a nationwide search for a new kind of male idol group that would be based in a dedicated theater in Odaiba, Tokyo. The project was backed by a joint venture between Mitsui Fudosan, Tokyo Dome Corporation, and Y&N Brothers, with the goal of creating a group that could transcend the conventional boundaries of the idol industry.

Hiraishi auditioned and was selected as one of the thirty founding members of Cloud ten. He recalled the moment he learned he had passed the audition as "truly unbelievable," expressing overwhelming gratitude toward his family and supporters. The group was officially unveiled on April 23, 2026, at a press conference in Tokyo, where all thirty members were introduced to the public for the first time.

On April 26, 2026, Hiraishi participated in his first public performance as a member of Cloud ten. He has described this as the most memorable moment of his early career. Seeing the audience gathered before him for the first time left a profound impression, and he has said that the sight is something he will never forget.

Cloud ten Activities

Cloud ten operates with all thirty members divided into three rotating performance teams, each presenting full-stage shows on alternating days at the Cloud ten THEATER. The theater, located on the sixth floor of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, opened on August 2, 2026. It seats approximately 300 people, with a stage designed to wrap around the audience in a U-shape, placing the front row mere meters from the performers. This intimate setup reflects the project's intent to create a new form of "close-range" idol entertainment.

Hiraishi was part of the third group to make its theater debut. On August 4, 2026, he performed alongside Ose Raiki, Kimura Haru, Komine Yuto, Sato Ryusei, Nishiyama Iyota, Hiraoka Motoki, Fukami Shuto, Fukuda Yusei, Fukuma Shin, and Honda Takamasa. The group performed sixteen songs, including original Cloud ten tracks such as "Bokutachi no Jiyuu" and "Tsugi ni Aeru Hi Made."

Hiraishi has also been part of the second performance group, which debuted on August 3, 2026. That group included Abe Haruto, Inaba Toma, Uji Toma, Kitanagi Haru, Koroki Yamato, Nemoto Atsushi, Hamaya Motoki, Fukushima Suzuto, Matsuo Hodaka, and Watanabe Ayato. The group performed the song "We're Cloud ten" and other tracks, showcasing the depth of talent across the thirty-member roster.

Cloud ten made its first appearance at a major external event on September 19, 2026, performing as the opening act at the 43rd MyNavi Tokyo Girls Collection Autumn/Winter at Yokohama Arena. This marked the group's first large-scale performance outside their dedicated theater.

Artistry

Dance Style and Performance

Hiraishi's primary artistic strength is his dance. He is recognized for a sharp, agile style that emphasizes quick footwork, precise body control, and expressive facial changes that shift with the mood of the music. His ability to move fluidly between different emotional registers within a single performance has drawn attention from both fans and critics.

His approach to dance is deeply intentional. He has stated that he consciously works on changing his expressions and atmosphere to match the music, aiming to show a version of himself that differs from his everyday personality. This technique of transformation is central to his stage identity.

Vocal and Performance Role

While dance is his most prominent contribution to Cloud ten, Hiraishi also participates in the group's vocal performances. In the theater shows, he performs both ensemble numbers and smaller unit configurations. His role in the group is not rigidly defined by a single position; instead, he contributes to the collective performance dynamic through his movement and stage energy.

Musical Style of Cloud ten

Cloud ten's music blends contemporary J-pop with theatrical elements suited to their stage-based performance format. The group's repertoire includes upbeat numbers, mid-tempo ballads, and songs with choreography that exploits the close proximity between performers and audience. Their theater shows are built around narrative flow and emotional pacing rather than a conventional concert structure.

The group's fandom is named "winds," derived from a lyric in their song "We're Cloud ten." The name carries the meaning of fans creating a wind that lifts the members toward the sky, a metaphor for collective support and shared aspiration.

Public Image and Personality

Hiraishi is known for what fans and media describe as a "healing" presence. In interviews and variety content, he comes across as a quiet, attentive listener who is genuinely interested in others. He has admitted to being shy and somewhat introverted in his daily life, a trait that stands in stark contrast to his explosive energy on stage.

This contrast is a central part of his appeal. He has acknowledged that the gap between his reserved off-stage self and his powerful stage presence is frequently mentioned by fans as one of his most attractive qualities. He has embraced this duality as an authentic part of his identity as a performer.

His admiration for King & Prince member Takahashi Kaito reflects this same appreciation for contrast. Hiraishi has cited Takahashi as a major influence, specifically praising his ability to shift from a friendly, approachable persona off stage to a completely different, captivating presence when performing. Hiraishi has stated that he wants to become an idol who can show that same transformative gap through performance.

In the group's promotional material, he is often described as a "healing-type prince" with a keen sense of how to listen to others. His athletic background in basketball and his love of fishing round out a public image that combines physical vitality with quiet contemplation.

Personal Life

Hiraishi was born in Kagoshima Prefecture and maintains a close relationship with his family, whom he credits as a foundational source of support. He stands 159 cm tall and has blood type O.

His hobbies include dance, basketball, and fishing. He has said that he enjoys the feeling of moving his body and often spends his free time practicing dance or playing basketball. Fishing provides a different kind of satisfaction, offering quiet time for reflection and patience. When he feels stressed, he listens to music or dances, finding that physical movement helps him reset his mental state.

He has spoken about his desire to continue growing as both a dancer and a singer, with the personal goal of becoming an idol whose performances leave a lasting impression on the hearts of those who watch. For the group, his stated ambition is to help Cloud ten become a team that can bring smiles and energy to many people, and eventually to stand on a large stage together.

Legacy and Future

As a member of Cloud ten, Hiraishi represents a new model of Japanese male idol that the Akimoto-led project aims to establish: performers with diverse personal backgrounds and individual strengths who come together in a theater-based format that prioritizes intimacy and growth over mass-market spectacle.

The group's stated goal is to eventually stand at Tokyo Dome with all thirty members. For Hiraishi, this collective ambition aligns with his personal pursuit of artistic refinement. His journey from a basketball-loving teenager in Kagoshima to a member of one of the most closely watched new idol projects in Japan reflects the audition-based path that Cloud ten has made central to its identity.

As the group continues its theater performances and expands into external events, Hiraishi remains one of the members to watch, bringing a combination of technical dance skill, emotional range, and a compelling personal contrast that distinguishes him within the thirty-member ensemble.