IIMURO Naoki
Mime actor
Graduate of the Marcel Marceau Paris International School of Mimodrama (Ecole Internationale de Mimodrame de Paris Marcel Marceau).
Graduated from Consevatoire Niedermeyer d’lssy Les Moulineaux (Ecole Nationale de Musique, de Dance et d’Art Dramatique) with the first prize.
Using the Kansai region as his base, Naoki is active both in Japan and abroad.
He took part in the Agency of Cultural Affairs Overseas Study Programme for Up-and-coming Artists in 2005.
Naoki won a Gold medal in the mime improvisation section at the 3rd World Delphic Games in 2009 and received the Hyogo Prefecture Arts Award of Excellence in 2012.
Performed in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games opening ceremony.
Photo by OTSUKI Yusuke
OKAMURA Wataru
Mime actor
After graduating from Osaka University of Arts, Wataru came across street mime while overseas on an extended trip to learn art. So in 2008, he started learning pantomime from famed mime actor Naoki Iimuro. Currently, he performs at various places such as theatres, music houses, or on the sidewalks.
Photo by OTSUKI Yusuke
TANI Keigo
Mime actor
Graduated from Osaka University of Arts.
Currently studying under mime actor IIMURO Naoki.
He has performed in a wide range of theater, films, and advertisements, as well as mime productions. In recent years, he has organized, written, directed, and produced an event where people can enjoy a campfire and theater at the same time.
He also teaches mime and how to use body and space by applying mime techniques in presentations.
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OKUMA Ryutaro
Mime actor
Admiring the Japanese comedy troupe “Yoshimoto Shinkigeki”, he joined his high school's drama club and participated in a national drama competition.
He started pantomime after a playful attempt at it turned out to be better than expected.
He later honed his mime skills through appearances on various stages.
He is now active as an entertainer who combines animated dance moves and drama in his mime expression, while never forgetting the element of laughter.
He is the leader of a theater company named “Ichigekiya”, where he directs, writes scripts, and choreographs. The company is characterized by a mysterious worldview that fuses pantomime and theater, and continues to ambitiously create unusual stage productions, such as all-standing and immersive performances.
In 2022, the troupe won the Encouragement Prize at the Osaka Cultural Festival Award.
Photo by OTSUKI Yusuke
MATSUNAGA Kazuya
Mime actor
MATSUNAGA Kazuya is a performer in the Kansai area; his work transverses a variety of fields, from theatre, dance works, and film and TV acting.
In high school, he met Naoki Iimuro, came to know the fascination of pantomime, and is now active in the Naoki Iimuro company Lab Second. He performs in such shows as The Mime Hour, and is daily exploring the possibilities of mime expression.
Armed with the technique of exploiting the gap between the mime’s noble facial expression and his comic movements, Kazuya is commanding attention as rapidly growing young star.
Photo by KAWANISHI Saori
ROBI
Mime actor
He started learning dance on his own when he was in junior high school, having been struck by Michael Jackson's performances, and began to study several genres in earnest during his university years.
Later, he began performing in a genre that is rare in Japan called 'Living statue'. His high level of skill and unique sense of fun immediately attracted attention, and he has appeared on TV programmes and at various events.
Since 2020, he has studied mime systematically under IIMURO Naoki, refining his own unique style.
The one-of-a-kind performances produced by his striking appearance and precise physical expression have attracted many.
TATSUYA
Dancer
As an all-round dancer, Tatsuya's moves are both dynamic and stylish. He has obtained the first runner-up prizes in the world class breakdance competition BATTLE OF THE YEAR JAPAN in 2008 and 2010. In 2009 and 2010, Tatsuya was also among the finalists of JAPAN DANCE DELIGHT which is the most well-known and world's biggest street dance contest. He has also won numerous prizes in other events, and works as an instructor in dance schools.
Photo by OTSUKI Yusuke
YOPPY
Dancer
Yoppy is a member of the world-class martial arts group Ichigeki. After finishing in the top four of the biggest international breakdance competition, BATTLE OF THE YEAR JAPAN, Yoppy won the Grand Prize in the Bronx Night 3on3 competition, and has since won many awards for his dance, such as finishing in the best 16 of the United Kingdom B-Boy Championships. With his dynamic and powerful movements and detailed footwork, he is master of a variety of techniques. Currently he is active in many fields, such as judging breakdance battles, and MCing dance events.
Photo by INOUE Yoshikazu
Tatchyn
Dancer
Armed with explosive force and speed by using his top physical abilities, Tachyn beguiles audiences with his ingenious moves that incorporate supreme skill. Representing Japan in the world’s biggest breakdance competition, BATTLE OF THE YEAR 2014, he shone among the top four. In addition, he won the R-16 Japan preliminary contest two years in a row (2013, 2014), and went on to the World Final to take first place in the Show category and second place in the Battle category; he is also the winner of the IBE Team Battle contest in 2010. He has won many such awards both in Japan and internationally.
He is thriving in multiple roles, performing in many venues, judging dance events, and being invited as guest dancer for many events.
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Junichi
Dancer
Junichi is from Okinawa. He is a member of the breakdance group that best represents Japan, “Body Carnival”. His infectious comedic personality is one of the driving energies of the group.Using his dynamic frame to best effect, the speed of his spinning moves is unparalleled among Japanese. He has won prizes at the world’s biggest Breakdance competitions, qualifying to represent Japan in BATTLE OF THE YEAR 2016--going on to finish as a semifinalist in the World Finals. He also won at UNIVERSAL DANCERS FRANCE 2016, among other awards. Together with his TV appearances and working with Flashmobs, he is recognized as one of the most promising young Japanese Breakdancers.
Photo by OTSUKI Yusuke
Chibanasty
Dancer
A native Okinawan, Chibansty has a flair for flashy and powerful performances. Known for his dynamic break dancing style, he wows audiences with moves that imitate complex floral patterns. His most impressive feature lies in unique muscular ability and unmatched strength.
In 2016 and 2019, Chibansty represented Japan in the annual international breakdancing competition,Battle of the Year. He placed in the World Final best four.
He also placed in the top four in the French tournament, Battle Pro, in both 2016 and 2018. Also in 2018, he gained further prominence as he participated in the highly acclaimed American tournament, the Silverback Open Championships. There, he was ranked 32nd out of 1000 competitors as one of top world class dancers in the solo category.
He has a long history of victories both in and out of Japan.
In addition to his work as a world renowned dancer, he also focuses his energies as a dance instructor and often works as a judge for dance battle competitions.
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YUTA
Dancer
He was born in 2000. He joined his high school’s dance club, where he became fascinated with breakdancing, which he discovered by chance and studied hard.
He is good at dynamic movements using his blessed physique, characteristic body movements based on freeze, and a style that mixes physicality with moves in unexpected directions.
He has won many prizes including first place in various dance battles mainly for young dancers,and is emerging as a dancer of the next generation.
Photo by KAWANISHI Saori
JO
Dancer
Born in Hokkaido, Japan. He started HIP HOP dance when he was in elementary school under the influence of his older brother, and also learned breakdance when he was in junior high school.
In 2017, he won the Japanese preliminary round of the world's largest breakdance battle “Battle Of The Year,” and in that world final, he was runner-up in the showcase division and 4th in the battle division. He also won the “Old School Night Vol.19” (2017), a festival of old school battles, and the “King of College” (2018), a competition to determine the best university and college students in Japan, among many other achievements.
Today, he is not limited to dance battles, but is also actively involved in a variety of activities such as TV commercials, fashion shows, and theme parks.
His dance style, which combines suppleness and strength, is his main attraction.
HYODO Yuka
Actress
Yuka debuted as the lead actress in the film Shara Soju, which was directed by Naomi Kawase and was entered in the Competition section of the Cannes International Film Festival in 2003. In 2004, she won the Best Newcomer of the Year award at the 18th Takasaki Film Festival for the same film. In recent years, she has been performing in and outside of Japan as a member of Original Tempo, a non-verbal performing group. In 2009, Shut up, Play!! attained the highest 5-star rating at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Since then, she has been performing in many places like Singapore, Taiwan, London, Croatia and so on. In 2012, she took part in Audition for Life, an international collaboration project with Slovenia.
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SASAKI Yasuko
Actress
Yasuko graduated from Kobe University in the prestigious Institute for Human Development, and studied in the Faculty of Human Expression. During her time there, she started performing. From comedy to more serious roles, her acting flexibility and adaptability have ensured that she is in great demand on stages throughout the Kansai area. She is also a sophisticated ballet and contemporary dancer, appearing in the Kobe Biennale in Seki Noriko’s site specific works Gate and Kira. Yasuko is active in a wide range of styles of performance.
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NAKAMURA Rumi
Actress
She first encountered baton twirling at the age of two and was hooked.
She has won gold medals in marching band and baton twirling national competitions for three consecutive years, and in the individual division, she won 1st place at the All-Japan Championships in Tokai.
In addition to baton twirling, she also specializes in performances using ribbons and acrobatics.
After entering Kobe University, she began her career as an actress.
She is currently based in Kyoto and performs in various theater productions, including FM theater, straight plays, action and dance theater.
She also performs on stage as a dancer and teacher of the Senju school of Japanese dance.
She has performed at "Japan Expo Paris", "Japan Expo Thailand", and toured Europe, as well as giving special classes as a lecturer at the International University in Davao, Philippines.
Photo by KAWANISHI Saori
ANDO Rika
Actress
She has studied baton twirling since childhood, and has twice won the Grand Prix (Prime Minister's Prize) at the National Marching Band Baton Twirling Competition, the largest of its kind in Japan. She has also won awards in individual events, including second place in the All Japan Baton Twirling Championships in Kansai.
Currently, she is active as a baton twirling performer as well as an actor and dancer, making use of her rich expressive ability. Aspiring to expand overseas, she has been sharing the charm of baton twirling at various commercial establishments and festivals.
In 2022, she held her first solo performance "Rika Run" incorporating monologue, baton twirling, and dance, which was well received.
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YAMANE Akari
Actress
She graduated from Doshisha University.
She has studied classical ballet since the age of five. She was greatly impressed by "GEAR," which she saw in junior high school, which led her to join the drama club in high school, and later to gain experience with the "Himawari Theatre Group ".
Her flexible physical expression that makes use of her slender arms and legs, as well as her bold and powerful acting that one might not expect from her slender appearance, are appealing.
With "GEAR" as the first step in her career, she is a promising young actress with great potential to make her mark in the theatre world.
Photo by KAWANISHI Saori
YOSHIMOTO Sara
Actress
Born in 2004. She has had a wide range of experience in gymnastics and classical ballet since childhood, as well as jazz dance and tap dance during elementary school.
In her third year of junior high school, she saw "GEAR" and was so impressed that she decided to become a stage actress.
In 2022, she performed as the leader of her own theater company, "Sotobakomachi," while still in high school.
She also excels at sword fighting and acrobatics, and her dynamic acting that makes the most of her physical abilities and her lively atmosphere are her main attractions.
Photo by KAWANISHI Saori
MATSUDA Yuki
Magician
Impressed by the magic he saw on TV when he was in junior high school, he started learning magic on his own.
After studying under the world-renowned magician FUKAI Hiromasa, he learned a wide range of genres of magic through 7 years of apprenticeship, and in 2021, he became independent.
He has been performing in various places, specializing in a wide range of genres from table magic to stage magic.
In addition to being selected as a representative of Japan in the prestigious world magic contest "FISM ACM 2024," he also won 3rd place in the stage division of the "Japan National Championship of Magic 2023," and 3rd place in the "FISM ACM Stage Contestant JPMA Representative Selection" sponsored by Japan Professional Magician’s Association.
Photo by KAWANISHI Saori
YAMASAKI Sora
Magician
Born in 2001.
Bewitched by magic since he was 10, he studied it by himself.
Even after entering the workforce, his passion for magic never waned, and he decided to become a professional magician.
He is best known for his close-up magic, which he performs 30 centimeters in front of the audience. Although his career has only started, he has earned a high reputation for his delicate and skilled techniques.
Currently performing magic at various events and restaurants, Sora teaches workshops for a wide range of people and creates original magic accompanied by a story.
He is a young magician of the spotlight who is attracting more attention every day with his eye-catching looks and admirable skills.
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SHUMPEI
Magician
He performs throughout Japan, with his elegant, clean appearance and stylish techniques.
He specializes in all genres of magic, from spectacular, large-scale illusions, to subtle table magic done using his deft conversational skills, to mental tricks that manipulate words and phenomena to draw the audience into a world of fantasy.
His work covers a broad range of fields, including main shows on leading Japanese luxury cruises, media appearances, luxury shows hotels, and VIP events. His undeniable skill has earned him high praise across various industries.
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YUKI
Magician
He started performing magic when he was in junior high school and was shown magic by a senior student.
He is a multi-talented performer who specializes in a wide range of genres from table magic to illusions.
He is also a member of "Takahashi Brothers," the only twin magician unit in Japan, whose spectacular shows are a perfect match for the twins' unique chemistry.
He has appeared at corporate parties, bridal events, and famous Japanese TV programs, as well as being a regular performer at a Malaysian magic restaurant for three years.
His magic created by his reliable technique based on his abundant experience and gentle atmosphere is a must-see.
Photo by KAWANISHI Saori
Setona
Magician
He started performing magic at the age of 10 and participated in the "16th Tenyo Junior Magician Video Contest" in 2017, winning first place in Japan.
In 2019, he won the 2nd place in Asia and a special award in the junior division of the "10th 808 Magic Convention" held in Taiwan, as well as many other awards in national and international contests.
While working as a magician, he also became interested in theatrical performance and entered Theater Art College"Bugei”, graduating in 2023.
After graduation, he began his career not only as a magician, but also as an actor.
He also supervises stage magic and directs magicians, making use of his knowledge in both fields. The acts he has directed have won numerous awards at magic contests throughout Japan. He is a young magician who is now in the spotlight.
SAKATA Shingo
Juggler
Born in 1990 in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Graduated from Ritsumeikan University.
After watching a street performance as a child, he taught himself juggling from the age of 10. At the age of 17, while still in high school, he set a new official Japanese record for 7-ball juggling endurance time. After graduating from university, he began his career as a professional juggler. Specializing in stylish juggling shows set to music, he is active both in Japan and abroad, mainly at high-class hotels and corporate parties.
Photo by KAWANISHI Saori
Ren
Juggler
Ren started juggling all on his own when he was 14 years old. In 2010, he made his debut as a professional. With his androgynous looks and pliant body, his use of special props, his performance is a must-see. Ren’s special talent is to insert jazz dance steps into his performance, giving a gorgeous performance. His captivating show enchants you with a bewitching atmosphere into a unique world; his scope of activity is widening beyond Japan to include countries all over the world.
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WATANABE Akira
Juggler
Armed with stylish juggling and a fresh smile, he is active in various scenes such as events, stage performances, yose theater, and juggling instruction throughout Japan.
He has appeared at one of the world's leading performance festivals, "DAIDOGEI World Cup in Shizuoka", and has won numerous contest awards and appeared in the media.
He has appeared on the tour of Japan's leading idol group "Momoiro Clover Z," has taught juggling to another popular idol group "Naniwa Danshi," and has performed in a cruise show on a luxury cruise ship.
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FUKAGAWA Akira
Juggler
Akira’s strength is in incorporating his acrobatic body expression with Diabolo technique. In addition to being a finalist at the International Juggling Association championship 2012 in the US, he has performed all over the world, from Taiwan to Turkey. He is a registered performer with the Cirque du Soleil. Further, he is the holder of the Japan Record for the High Toss with four Diabolos.
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MIYATA Naoto
Juggler
Naoto started Juggling after studying theatre in college.
In the Baton Juggling competition, “FantaStick” he has been awarded the Grand Prize, and also been awarded Runner’s Up Prize on a separate occasion. He was a finalist in the Japan Juggling Festival's All-Japan 2012 competition. As the representative of the “Juggling Unit Fratres,”, Naoto is the playwright and performance director of this group, which uses Juggling as stage art, creating a new genre of performance works.
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Mal
Juggler
Born in 2004.
Impressed by a street performance he saw when he was 8 years old, he started juggling on his own.
He began his career as a performer when he was the youngest ever to perform at the age of 12 in the juggling omnibus live show "Soraten Gekijo" held continuously at the Asakusa Toyokan.
During his high school years, he not only studied juggling techniques, but also gained experience in various dance genres such as ballet, jazz, and modern. The beautiful juggling that he has created by fusing the physical expression he has cultivated through these experiences has a unique appeal.
In 2023, he won third place in the 13th Japan High School Juggling Festival (JSJF), and he is one of the top young jugglers attracting attention in the juggling world.
Photo by KAWANISHI Saori
ISHIMIZU Taiki
Juggler
He began juggling at the age of 12 after watching a street performance and was captivated by its profound appeal.
He is most skillful at "diabolo," which involves manipulating a frame with a string. His dynamic and highly original juggling techniques are among the best in Japan. He has won numerous awards, including 2nd place in the men's division of the "Japan Juggling Festival 2022 Championship", Japan's largest juggling tournament, and 1st place in the men's overall individual division of the "10th All-Japan Diabolo competition".
He holds the Japanese record for the "4 Diabolo Low" an advanced juggling technique in which 4 diabolos are simultaneously rotated in a low orbit and manipulated.
Photo by KURIOKA Rena