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| Seki Yamato |
CLOUDTENPEDIA - Seki Yamato (碩 大翔, born January 7) 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. Seki was announced as a member of the group on April 23, 2026, and has since become one of its most prominent performers, known for his powerful dance style, expressive stage presence, and earnest personality.
Early Life
Seki Yamato was born on January 7 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He grew up with a strong interest in sports, particularly soccer, and spent much of his childhood playing the sport. His athletic background is notable: he has a recorded 50-meter sprint time of 6.1 seconds, a speed that later became a recurring topic in his idol profile and media appearances.
During his school years, Seki developed a reputation among his peers for his striking appearance and natural charisma. Friends frequently encouraged him to pursue entertainment, telling him that he would "definitely make it" if he ever tried out for a talent project. Despite this encouragement, Seki had no formal training in dance, singing, or performing arts before joining Cloud ten. In interviews, he has candidly described himself as a complete beginner who entered the entertainment world purely on a whim, driven by a sudden impulse rather than long-held ambition.
Audition and Formation of Cloud ten
In the summer of 2025, Yasushi Akimoto—the renowned producer behind AKB48, Nogizaka46, and numerous other successful idol groups—announced a new project: a theater-based boy band called Cloud ten. The project was a joint venture between Y&N Brothers, Mitsui Fudosan, and Tokyo Dome Corporation, with the ambitious goal of cultivating a new generation of male artists who would perform daily in a dedicated theater.
A nationwide audition was launched, drawing 38,934 applicants. The screening process consisted of multiple stages: document review, interviews held in seven cities across Japan, practical skill evaluations, and a final intensive training camp. Seki, who had already been accepted to study abroad and was preparing to leave Japan, applied almost impulsively. When he received news that he had passed, his first thought was, "Wait, I'm actually going to get in? I can't go on my study abroad trip then".
The final training camp proved to be a turning point. Surrounded by fiercely dedicated fellow contestants, Seki's competitive spirit ignited. He later recalled that the two weeks of the camp were the most intense and concentrated period of his life, transforming his casual approach into a burning determination not to lose. Out of the tens of thousands who auditioned, thirty were selected. Seki Yamato was among them.
Cloud ten was officially unveiled on April 23, 2026, in Tokyo, with all thirty members appearing before the press. The group's name carries a deliberate meaning: it is intended to surpass "Cloud nine," the English idiom for supreme happiness, and deliver an even greater joy to audiences. The members were divided into three rotating performance groups, each taking turns to appear on stage.
Career
Debut and Theater Performances
Cloud ten opened its dedicated venue, Cloud ten THEATER, on August 2, 2026, on the sixth floor of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, Tokyo. The approximately 300-seat theater was filled to capacity for the debut performance, titled "We're Cloud ten". Seki was among the eleven members selected for the opening-day cast, alongside Ueno Seiji, Uji Toma, Owada Ayumu, Komai Riku, Tomizawa Ryu, Hasumi Kotaro, Hiraoka Motoki, Fukushima Suzuto, Funamizu Kensuke, and Mochizuki Seishu.
The intimacy of the theater—with the stage positioned just meters from the audience—became a defining feature of the Cloud ten experience. Seki reflected on this closeness with characteristic sincerity: "Because the distance is so short that you can see the sweat dripping from the members, I felt that the effort we have accumulated would be conveyed more easily". His co-member Mochizuki Seishu added that the proximity demanded even greater effort, saying, "Precisely because the distance allows even the smallest details to be seen, I felt that we have to work even harder".
During the debut performance, Seki performed a solo number titled "Seishun Tandem" (Youth Tandem), which showcased his growth as a performer despite his lack of prior formal training. The performance was a significant moment for him; he had publicly wept during the open dress rehearsal days earlier, telling reporters, "I practiced for half a year, and I can finally dance in front," a moment that endeared him to early fans.
Continuing Activities
In September 2026, Cloud ten made its first major external appearance, performing as the opening act at the Tokyo Girls Collection (TGC) at Yokohama Arena. Seki was part of the eleven-member delegation selected for the event. Following the performance, he commented, "I think we were able to show the results of our efforts since the theater opened on the Yokohama Arena stage. Going forward, I want to keep working hard based at our home, the theater. If you become interested in us, please come and meet us".
The group's stated goal, repeated frequently by members in interviews and on stage, is to perform at Tokyo Dome with all thirty members. Seki has embraced this ambition wholeheartedly, declaring his personal objectives with characteristic intensity: "I want to stand at Tokyo Dome with Cloud ten. I want to become the face of Cloud ten. I want to fill television with Cloud ten. I want to fill the internet too. I will never make the fans who support me feel regret. I want to become a top idol and repay them".
Artistry and Public Image
Performance Style
Seki's performance style is frequently described as combining raw power with careful precision. Despite having no dance background before joining Cloud ten, he has earned recognition for his rapid improvement and the intensity he brings to every stage. His athleticism—particularly his speed and agility, honed through years of soccer—translates into a dynamic and forceful stage presence.
Critics and fans have noted that his movements carry a sense of urgency and determination that reflects his personal journey. In a ranking poll conducted by Japanese media, one fan wrote that Seki possesses "a performance that combines strength and meticulousness," and that his occasional smiles amid his usually calm demeanor create a striking contrast that captivates audiences.
Personality and Reception
Seki is often characterized in Japanese media as a "cool handsome" type (クール男子) with a teasing, playful side that emerges among his groupmates. At the same time, he is known for his extreme earnestness and emotional openness. His tears during the open dress rehearsal became a talking point in entertainment news, with outlets describing him as a "hot man" (熱い男) whose passion is evident in everything he does.
He has cited Hirano Sho, a member of the boy band King & Prince, as his role model. Seki admires Hirano not only for his performance abilities but also for his kindness, his ability to charm audiences, and his exceptional fan service. In interviews, Seki has expressed a desire to emulate this combination of talent and warmth.
His self-described strengths are his tireless work ethic and his unshakable conviction. "I won't lose to anyone in the amount of effort I put in," he has said. "My passion is second to none. I have a strong will and a clear sense of my own axis". This combination of humility about his origins and fierce determination about his future has made him a distinctive presence within Cloud ten.
Personal Life
Seki is a passionate fan of soccer and enjoys playing soccer video games. He lists his ability to juggle a ball on his fingertips as a special skill, alongside his notable sprinting speed. Outside of performance, he practices skincare and hair care routines, and he manages stress by writing his thoughts on paper or visiting saunas.
He has also spoken about balancing his idol activities with university studies, describing his life as a "two-sword style" of preparing for theater performances while studying for exams. His hometown is Chiba Prefecture, and he remains closely connected to his roots there.
Legacy and Significance
As a member of Cloud ten, Seki Yamato represents a new model of idol stardom emerging in Japan: one built not on years of formal training, but on raw determination, personal growth, and an authentic connection with audiences in intimate theater settings. His trajectory from a soccer-loving student with no performance experience to a central figure in one of 2026's most anticipated idol projects embodies the aspirational narrative that Cloud ten itself was designed to tell.
His journey reflects the broader ethos of the Cloud ten project, which seeks to cultivate talent from diverse backgrounds and allow fans to witness the process of growth in real time. In a media landscape saturated with polished, pre-packaged performers, Seki's willingness to show vulnerability—whether through tears on stage or candid admissions of inexperience—offers a different kind of idol appeal. As the group continues its daily theater performances and expands into larger venues, his development remains one of the most closely watched storylines within the Cloud ten narrative.