Ike Nwala

Ike Nwala (アイクぬわら, Aiku Nuwara, born 5 June 1986) is an American comedian, actor, and narrator based in Tokyo, Japan.[1] Nwala is a member of the comedy group Chō Shinjuku, and is represented by Watanabe Entertainment.

Ike Nwala
Born (1986-06-05) June 5, 1986 (age 38)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Medium
  • television
  • film
  • music
Alma materDigiPen Institute of Technology
Years active2011–present
Genres
WebsiteOfficial profile

Early life and career

Ike Nwala was born on June 5, 1986 in Manhattan, and was raised in Seattle, Washington. As a child he passionate about computers, and taught himself how to code.[2] When he was 18, he enrolled at the DigiPen Institute of Technology, to learn about information technology and technician relations. While in college working at a Japanese video shop in Chinatown–International District, Seattle, Nwala was shocked by Junji Takada's early morning bazooka corner on the comedy programme Tensai Takeshi no Genki ga Deru TV!!.[3] When he saw the characters Muneo Kurii and Yabao Gesu played by Hironari Yamazaki in Richard Hall, he could not understand the dialogue, but felt it was "comical and funny!" He continued to watch Japanese comedians and their shows, such as Junji Takada, Untouchable, Ogiyahagi, Ninety-nine, Downtown, and Cream Stew. Sparking an interest in Japanese comedy. [3] After graduating early at the age of 20, he worked as a data centre engineer at Goldman Sachs, before leaving and moving to Osaka, Japan to teach himself Japanese and pursue comedy.[3][4]

While in Japan, Nwala appeared on a popular Japanese TV show, mimicking a Tokyo Disney Sea resort announcer. A video clip of his segment went viral on Twitter, igniting his career in Japanese comedy. [2] He participated in the Chō Shinjuku audition at the recommendation of actor Gota Watabe.[3] Nwala joined Chō Shinjuku[5] on September 29, 2011.

Personal life

He is friends with actor Gota Watabe[6] and singer Nana Tanimura.[7] Nwala is also close to singer Tomohisa Yamashita.

On September 10, 2020, Nwala tested positive for COVID-19.[8]

Artistic style

Chō Shinjuku

He has many acts revolving around trying to conform to Japanese culture. Sometimes he does impressions of famous figures such as Dante Carver, Usain Bolt, Tiger Woods, etc. He also has a two-man act with Koala Koarashi named Nuwarashi.

Nuwarashi

As part of Nuwarashi, he brought American elements to the Japanese performance art Nankin Tamasudare. He heavily uses English interjections like "Oh!", "Yeah!", and "Come on!" in his recitations. In addition, the act featured a "Pocochin drum," which consisted of vocal percussion produced upon hitting his crotch, which was exhibited at Tokyo Broadcasting System Television's Arita Children,[3] and came in sixth place in Yahoo's search word and trending topics.

Notable activities

He performed as a bilingual MC of the popular morning children's program Oha Suta.

Oha Suta corner name Contents
Sugu ni Tsukaeru! Kakkoe-go!!! Teaching daily English not taught at school in a hyper way
Nwala Challenge Trying various things such as backing, break dancing, and lifting weights
Don-Nwala Hakase no Science World Introduction of magical phenomena using science
Nwalaman! Corner where the perfect superman Nwalalman attempts to relax and feel free

In 5-Ji ni muchū, he was in charge as the Kurofune correspondent every Wednesday. He played a cheerful character like Eddie Murphy who then impersonates Ryo Fukawa with American-style jokes.

He had a monologue called "Announcement at the entrance of Tokyo Disney Sea", which became a topic on Twitter upon its broadcast on 21st "Komakasugite Tsutawaranai Monomane Senshuken".

He came in 10th place in the 2016 half-year TV program ranking "break out tarento", attracting attention.[9]

After that, the number of his appearances on television have steadily increased, going from 13 in the previous year, to 175 the next, and ranking in the sixth place of the final break-out division of 2016.[10]

Publications

Newspapers

  • The Japan Times (29 Nov 2017) "The consummation of cool is a funny business for comedian Ike Nwala".[11]

Magazines

  • Shūkan Taishū (Shūkan Taishū 16 Oct 2017 issue) "Ike Nwala 'America Hitotoshite Saikyō no Entertainer ni' Warawaseru Ningen Chikara".[12]

Discography

Participation work

Release date Artist Album name Part no. Song name Recorded works
27 Jan 2016 Kishidan Defective item AVCD-93336/B Tsuppari High School Musical (Tōjō-hen) Introduced Kishidan at intro
21 Sep 2016 team Third Wave Single iTunes ID1148459555 Kimi ni Third Wave[13] Lead vocals of songs

Films

Dramas

Appearances

Television

Current regular programmes

Former regular programmes

Regular
Quasi-regular
  • Eigo de Asobo (NHK E) (pin) Occasional appearances

Former appearances

Other appearances
HBO
TV Tokyo
  • Konya mo Doru Bako (25 Aug 2015) (Nuwarashi)
  • Kore Kangaeta Hito, Tensai ja ne!? –Sekai no Benri Goods Atsumemashita Special– (27 Nov 2015, 11 Jan 2016) (pin)[20]
  • Goddotan (20 Aug 2016) (pin)
  • Nichiyou Chaplin (5 Nov, 24 Dec 2017) (Chō Shinjuku)
Nippon TV
  • 24-Jikan TV "Ai wa Chikyū o Sukuu" (31 Aug 2014/23 Aug 2015) (Chō Shinjuku) 37 Ai wa Chikyū o Sukuu
  • Ariyoshi no Kabe (3 Aug/28 Dec 2015) (pin)[21]
  • Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! (9 Aug 2015) (pin)
  • Monomane Grand Prix (22 Sep 2015) (pin)
  • Uchi no Gaya ga sumimasen! (13 Dec 2015) (pin)
  • Geinin Hōdō (28 Dec 2015) (Chō Shinjuku)
  • Sukkiri! (5 Jan 2016) (Nuwarashi)
  • Kyūkyoku no ￮× Quiz Show!! Chō Toi! Shinjitsu ka? Uso ka? (2 Jun 2017) (Nuwarashi)
  • Uwasa no Neta (21 Jun 2017) (pin)
  • Intelli ga Shiranai Sekai no o Baka Gimon (26 Aug 2017) (pin)
  • School Kakumei! (5 Nov 2017) (pin)
Fuji Television
  • Tonneruzu no Minasan no Okage deshita (2 Apr 2015/22 Dec 2012) Hakase to joshu –Komakasugite Tsutawaranai Monomane Senshuken– (pin)
  • Sakigake! Ongaku no Jikan (15 Nov 2015/17/24 Jan/6 Mar 2016) (pin)
  • Proyagu Chin Play Kō Play Taishō (5 Nov 2016) (pin)
  • Nep League (12 Dec 2016/27 Mar/17 Apr 2017) (pin)
  • Love music (6/13 Aug 2017) (pin)
  • Ninki Geinōjin ni Itazura! Gyōten Happening * Renpatsu (5 Oct 2017) (pin)
Tokyo MX
  • Barairo Dandy (16 Sep 2016) (pin)
TV Asahi
  • 'Pu' Suma (27 Mar 2015) (Nuwarashi)
  • Nihonjin no 3-wari shika Shiranai koto Cream Stew no Hana Taka! Yūetsu-kan (19 Jul/30 Aug/4 Oct 2015) (pin)
  • Nanikore Chinhyakkei (9 Dec 2015/14 Dec 2016) (pin)
  • Buramayo to yu kaina Nakama-tachi Atsu Atsu'! (27 Feb/5 Mar 2016) (pin)
  • Kikinikui Koto o Kiku (8 Jun/24 Aug 2016) (pin)
  • Morning Show (7 Jul 2016) (pin)
  • Onegai! Ranking (31 Aug/14/28 Sep 2016) (pin)
  • Ametalk (10 Aug/14 Sep 2017) (pin)
  • Cream VS Osamu Hayashi! Quiz Survivor (31 Dec 2017) (pin)
  • Sekai wa tatta 6-ri de tsunagaru (4 Jan 2018) (pin)
Tokyo Broadcasting System Television
BS-CS broadcast
Sky PerfecTV!
  • Dream Series Geinin All Star Champion Bowling 2018 (30 Jan 2018) (pin)
Iwate Asahi Television/Akita Asahi Broadcasting
  • Katte ni Kankō Taishi (7 Nov 2015) (pin)
Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting
  • Owarai Wide Show Marco Polori! (1 May 2016) (Nuwarashi)
  • mu-Jack (21 Apr 2017) (Nuwarashi)
Mainichi Broadcasting System
Space Shower TV

Voice acting

Current regular programmes

  • Love music (CX, 16 Oct 2015 –) Narration charge; Every Sunday

Former appearances

  • The Big Chance! (29 Dec 2014/3 Aug 2015) Narration
  • Countdown Anime Heroine (29 Dec 2014, NHK Radio) Narration
  • Yachimata TV (12 Apr 2017) Narration
  • Zettai! Kazlazer (19 Apr 2017) Narration
  • Mission "Hawaii-shima no Zaihō o Sagase!" (30 Sep 2017, NHK E) Narration; as Boss
  • VS Arashi (12 Oct 2017) Narration; In the corner "Quiz Jun Matsumoto"[22]

Radio

  • Lotti no Dame Dame Radio Tenshi no Okotoba (17 Ayg 2013, NHK Radio) (Nuwarashi)
  • Radipedia (14 Apr 2014, J-Wave) (Chō Shinjuku)
  • CRK Music H.E.A.D.S. (21 Feb 2015, Radio Kansai) (Chō Shinjuku)
  • Alco & Peace no All Night Nippon 0 (27 Aug 2015, NBS) (pin)
  • Mana Sakura-Hollywood Koshisho no Asamade Maruhadaka (30 Jul/6 Aug 2016, NCB) (pin)
  • Gold Rush (13 Jan 2017, J-Wave) (pin)
  • Avalon (23 May 2017, J-Wave) (pin)
  • Sanshirō no All Night Nippon 0 (24 Dec 2017, NBS) –Radio Charity Musicthon Special– (pin)

Webcasts

Former appearances

([木内晶子] In 1997, she applied to the "1st The Japan Audition" by a classmate's recommendation while studying at Kagawa Prefecture Takamatsu West High School. She passed the actor division from 190,000 people and entered the entertainment industry. The following year, she debuted as a heroine role at TBS series Pu-Pu-Pu- where V6's Coming Century starred.

Stage

Personal live

  • Ike Nwala no Comedy Challenge
    • Vol.1 (4 Jun 2016) Guests: Miracle Hikaru, Saraba Seishun no Hikari's Tetsuya Morita, New York's Hiromasa Yashiki. VTR Navigator: Ogiyahagi's Ken Yahagi
    • Vol.2 (5 Mar 2017) Guests: Jun Miho, Shizzle's Jun Murakami, Zigzag Ziggy's Masaru Ikeda. VTR Navigator: Drunk Dragon's Taku Suzuki

Guest appearances

  • Chidori no Dai Manzai (Surprise Guest appearance on a single live of Chidori)
    • Tokyo Yomiuri Hall (5 Nov 2017)
    • Osaka Shin Kabukiza (10 Nov 2017)

Events

  • 8 May 2016 "Dynamite Kansai 2016 –Open Tournament Zenyasai–" (Lumine the Yoshimoto)[23] (pin)
  • 21 Aug 2016 "Rocketman Summer Fes' 2016 thank you for the music!" (Tokyo Ebisu The Garden Hall)[24] (pin)

Advertising

Television

Internet

References

  1. ^ Thomas, Dexter (28 September 2017), Ike Nwala Is A Black Comedian Who Has Become Japan's Most Unlikely Star (HBO), Vice Media, retrieved 2021-04-02
  2. ^ a b "Meet Ike Nwala, The Nigerian Who Ditched Computer Engineering To Become Japan's Most Sought After Comedian". Sunday Adelaja's Blog. 2019-12-09. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  3. ^ a b c d e "【ビッくらぼんの365日・芸人日記（55）】「おはスタ」などで活躍する米国出身の元証券マンIT系芸人、アイクぬわら。あらゆるものがネットでつながるIoT（Internet of Things）をお笑いでも実現する！". Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 2 Jul 2016. Retrieved 28 Jan 2018.
  4. ^ 「週刊文春」編集部. "「わいせつなことはしていない」と釈明も…アイクぬわら（37）未成年"おはガール"自宅連れ込みで「おはスタ」を降板させられていた". 文春オンライン (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  5. ^ "6人で初トークライブ開催、超新塾新メンバーの名前が決定" (in Japanese). Owarai Natalie. 26 Oct 2011. Retrieved 28 Jan 2018.
  6. ^ Nwala, Ike (31 Oct 2014). "アイクぬわら（超新塾/ぬわらし）twitter（2014年10月31日）" (in Japanese). Retrieved 28 Jan 2018.
  7. ^ Nwala, Ike (15 Apr 2013). "アイクぬわら（超新塾/ぬわらし）twitter" (in Japanese). Retrieved 28 Jan 2018.
  8. ^ "タレントのアイクぬわらが新型コロナ感染と発表 体調に異変はなし".
  9. ^ "【上半期TV出演本数】りゅうちぇる、大ブレイクで113番組出演 前年同期は「0」" (in Japanese). oricon. 12 Jul 2016. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  10. ^ "メイプル超合金、年間TV出演280本増 トレエン抑えNo.1ブレイク". Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. 13 Dec 2016. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  11. ^ "The consummation of cool is a funny business for comedian Ike Nwala". The Japan Times. 29 Nov 2017. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  12. ^ "アイクぬわら「アメリカ人として最強のエンターテイナーに」笑わせる人間力" (in Japanese). Taishu. 16 Oct 2017. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  13. ^ Fukawa, Ryo (8 Aug 2016). "第６７０回「キミにサード・ウェーブ」" (in Japanese). Ryo Fukawa. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  14. ^ "超新塾アイクがスーパー戦隊シリーズに出演、警察戦隊を管理する和菓子好き". Owarai Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha Corporation. 12 Jan 2018. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  15. ^ "新戦隊「ルパンレンジャーVSパトレンジャー」キャスト発表、元モー娘。工藤遥も". Eiga Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha Corporation. 12 Jan 2018. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  16. ^ "リニューアル「おはスタ」初生放送". Daily Sports (in Japanese). 6 Apr 2016. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  17. ^ "「元日テレ・上田まりえアナ、フリー転身後初レギュラー" (in Japanese). Oricon Style. 3 Mar 2016. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  18. ^ "「アイクぬわら、関西学院大外国籍講師の"差別ジョーク"に怒り「全然面白く無い」" (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. 22 Feb 2017. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  19. ^ "Meet the black comedian who has become Japan's most unlikely star". Vice News Tonight. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  20. ^ "藤田紀子＆花田虎上親子共演「28年ぶり母の手料理」" (in Japanese). Walkerplus. 5 Jan 2016. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  21. ^ "とに安、三四郎、トレエンら21人の若手と6人の先輩「有吉の壁」に挑戦". Owarai Natalie (in Japanese). 19 Jul 2015. Retrieved 29 Jan 2018.
  22. ^ Nwala, Ike (12 Oct 2017). "アイクぬわら（超新塾）twitter" (in Japanese). Retrieved 30 Jan 2018.
  23. ^ "「D関」前夜祭でケンコバがザ☆忍者大久保にどハマり、超新塾アイクも活躍". Owarai Natalie (in Japanese). 10 May 2016. Retrieved 30 Jan 2018.
  24. ^ "ふかわりょう主催の夏フェス今年も開催、平野ノラやアイクぬわら参加". Owarai Natalie (in Japanese). 21 Aug 2016. Retrieved 30 Jan 2018.
  25. ^ "「DMM英会話」新CMで矢作＆アイクがコント". Owarai Natalie (in Japanese). 20 Oct 2014. Retrieved 30 Jan 2018.
  26. ^ "矢作初監督CM「DMM英会話」本日スタート". Owarai Natalie (in Japanese). 24 Oct 2014. Retrieved 30 Jan 2018.