Ike Nwala facts for kids

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. Nwala is a member of the comedy group Chō Shinjuku, and is represented by Watanabe Entertainment.

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. 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!!. 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. 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.

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. He participated in the Chō Shinjuku audition at the recommendation of actor Gota Watabe. Nwala joined Chō Shinjuku on September 29, 2011.

Personal life

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

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

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. .....

Notable activities

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

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.

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.

Discography

Participation work

Films

• Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan! (2016) guest appearance in live-action part (as himself)
• Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu (2017) guest appearance (as eyeglass brother)

Dramas

• Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger (ABC, 11 Feb 2018 – 10 Feb 2019) – as Director Hilltop

Appearances

Television

Current regular programmes

• Oha Suta (TX, 6 Apr 2016 –) (pin) Bilingual MC from weekdays
• 5-Ji ni Muchū! (Tokyo MX, 6 Apr 2016 –) (pin) Every Wednesday

Former regular programmes

• Moshi Moshi Nippon TV (NHK G, 31 Jul – 12 Nov 2015, BS Fuji, NHK World) (pin)
• Nep & Imoto no Sekai Banzuke (NTV, 13 Nov 2015 – 11 Mar 2016) (pin)

• Eigo de Asobo (NHK E) (pin) Occasional appearances

Former appearances

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"

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

• Wata@Ame! (Ameba Fresh! Studio, 28 Sep 2015) (Chō Shinjuku)
• Maasa no Heya e yōkoso (NotTV, 21/28 Nov 2015) (Nuwarashi)
• Dōga Hakkutsu! Gao Gao Gyao! (GyaO, webcast period 9 Nov 2016 – 14 Jan 2017) (Nuwarashi) Part 1/2/3/4
• Sakidori Bose (GyaO, 19 Dec 2016 – 30 Jan 2017) (pin) every Monday
• Daimaou Kosaka no Katsuage (Abema TV, 27 Dec 2016) (pin)
• The Night (AbemaTV, 11/18 Mar 2017) (pin)

([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. .....

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) (pin)
• 21 Aug 2016 "Rocketman Summer Fes' 2016 thank you for the music!" (Tokyo Ebisu The Garden Hall) (pin)

Advertising

Television

• DMM Eikaiwa TVCM (2014) Co-starred with Ogiyahagi's Ken Yahagi as a teacher on a YouTube ad (2015)
• Puzzle Wonderland TVCM (2015) (pin)
• DMM Eikaiwa TVCM (2017)

Internet

• Sanko-Seika (5 Oct 2015) web limited video, new product Nōkō Cheese Kibun as Rich Cheese Man (pin)
• West Gigantic City Land '17 official adverts: http://www.wgcl.jp/
  • Waiting Room (26 Jun 2017) (pin)
  • Interview (30 Jun 2017) (pin)
  • Shadow Boxing (7 Jul 2017) (pin)
  • Ticket (20 Jul 2017) (pin)