Yutaka Kobayashi

Yutaka Kobayashi was born in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. After graduating high school, he attended a confectionery vocational school, earning a health nurse license for the field while working as a pastry chef in Shiga and Tokyo. Encouraged by a friend, he entered the Junon Super Boy Contest, which launched his entertainment career. In November 2009, he joined Thani Promotion, balancing cake-making jobs with early showbiz activities.

In June 2010, Kobayashi auditioned for the predecessor project *Ikemen☆Nagoya*, which evolved into the group Boys and Men. Though not from the Tokai region, his agency’s intent aligned with the project’s concept, and he became a core member. In 2011, he portrayed Mizuki in *The Prince of Tennis Musical 2nd Season*, temporarily pausing group activities for rehearsals and performances before returning to the unit and other stage work.

As a member of Boys and Men’s sub-unit YanKee5, Kobayashi made his CD debut in February 2012. Later that year, he launched a solo career with the single “Boku no sekai ga kawatte iku / seven colors ☆ love.” In 2013, he landed his first regular TV drama role as Kaito Kumon / Rider Baron, the rival in *Kamen Rider Gaim*.

In July 2014, Kobayashi began sharing recipes on Cookpad under “Yutaka Kobayashi’s Kitchen.” That November, his cooking inspired the single “Love Suites recipe,” featuring lyrics by Setona Mizushiro. Also in 2014, he placed second in Boys and Men’s popularity vote and starred in his first television drama lead, *Naze Todo-in Seiya 16-sai wa kanojo ga dekinai no ka?*