Name: Kakutani Naoto
Nationality: Japanese
Crew: Mortal Combat
Born in: Nishinomiya
Age 20
Residence: Osaka, Japan
Other interests: Breaking and Breaking only!
Other Profession: Daytime job—B-Boy shows at Universal Studios Japan

Credo
"Be creative and don’t let anybody stop you from doing what you want to do. Keep the faith in yourself. Give your all and never stop learning! Try to be the best! It’s a long way to go, but never give up! Then we can keep this culture alive."

Titles
2004 1st place, Battle of the Year, Japan
2004 Participation, Battle of the Year, International
2005 Participation, UK B-Boy Championships
2006 1st place, Battle of the Year, Japan
2006 participation, Red Bull BC One, Brazil

Profile
Born in 1986, in Nishinomiya in Hyogo, Japan, KAKU started B-Boying at age 15. He’s a master of headspins. He can spin forever on the back of his head making everyone wonder why his neck doesn’t break. He can do about 20 rounds of a 2000, a rapidly-spinning handstand where both hands are placed on top of each other. His signature move is the "Headspin to 2000,” an awesome combination. KAKU’s power, flavor and original moves make an extraordinary mixture.

At age 16, KAKU became a member of the crews Mortal Combat and Cube. Mortal Combat represented Japan at the BOTY International in 2004 and will be competing there again in October 2006. YOSSHI from Mortal Combat and SIN from Ichigeki (finalist at Battle of the Year International 2005) are his biggest inspirations because they do crazy power moves but are also excellent dancers.

KAKU lives in Osaka, the Japanese capital of Hip Hop, and he really likes the vibe there. The dance scene is continually growing with numerous events throughout the year. He describes the B-Boy scene in Osaka as peaceful. Nobody really has any beef and they all respect and support each other. To KAKU that is what Hip Hop is about. He feels that B-Boying and the whole Hip Hop culture give people the chance to communicate beyond language barriers. People from different cultures and religions come together to celebrate their worldwide culture at events like the RED BULL BC ONE.

KAKU’s family is proud of him because they know that he represents Japan out in the world. He is happy to have been able to turn his vocation into a profession. Apart from travelling all over the world to join competitions or do shows, he and other members of Mortal Combat were hired by Universal Studios Japan to dance in the square in front of the building during the day.

What KAKU likes most about breaking is the battle. The members of Mortal Combat are like brothers in war and battling with his crew is the best. Knowing he gives his all makes him feel extremely good. In a competition you usually see breakers with angry faces directed against the opponent. But for KAKU, it’s not only about winning. KAKU really enjoys battling and when he enjoys something, smiling comes naturally to him. Be prepared to see him battle with a big smile!

For KAKU the number-one tool to win a battle is attitude. “If you really want it and believe in yourself, you’re gonna get it!”