Takashi Okamura (comedian)
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese comedian
and one half of the owarai
duo Ninety-nine
(also known as Nai Nai in Japan), playing the "comic stooge" or boke of the group. His nicknames range from "OkatakaLeader" to "Okachan". His partner is Hiroyuki Yabe
, or "Yabecchi", sometimes "Yabe-kun".
Okamura has consistently been a large-audience draw on Japanese TV for his wild antics, such as breakdancing naked while wearing the cowl of anime
/professional wrestling
hero Tiger Mask
. At 156 centimetre (the tallest person in his family) he is a striking contrast to the lankier Yabe.
They formed Ninety-nine in 1990 (when Okamura dropped out of Ritsumeikan University
), and in 1993 won a New Talent Prize. Okamura cried with joy when interviewed after receiving the prize. The following year, Ninety-Nine hosted their first on-air show "Ninety-Nine All Night Nippon," which is still aired today. Their success continued to grow with programs such as Asayan
and Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!
. He has also appeared in the Japanese stage adaptation of The Lion King
. Okamura has also displayed his dancing prowess by becoming an honorary member of Johnny's Jr., performing with SMAP
and Exile.
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and one half of the owarai
Owarai
is a broad word used to describe Japanese comedy as seen on television. The word owarai is the honorific form of the word warai, meaning "a laugh" or "a smile". Owarai is most common on Japanese variety shows and the comedians are referred to as owarai geinin or owarai tarento...
duo Ninety-nine
Ninety-nine (Owarai)
, or is a Japanese comic duo from Osaka working for the entertainment conglomorate Yoshimoto Kogyo. The duo , consisting of Takashi Okamura as boke and Hiroyuki Yabe as tsukkomi , formed in 1990....
(also known as Nai Nai in Japan), playing the "comic stooge" or boke of the group. His nicknames range from "OkatakaLeader" to "Okachan". His partner is Hiroyuki Yabe
Hiroyuki Yabe
is a Japanese comedian.He is one of the popular duo Ninety-nine with Takashi Okamura, who are one of Yoshimoto Kogyo's most successful acts. Yabe is considered the straight man in the duo. Yabe also plays Luigi in the Japanese Hot Mario Bros advert campaign.Born in Osaka, Yabe played soccer in his...
, or "Yabecchi", sometimes "Yabe-kun".
Okamura has consistently been a large-audience draw on Japanese TV for his wild antics, such as breakdancing naked while wearing the cowl of anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
/professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
hero Tiger Mask
Tiger Mask
is a Japanese manga series written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Naoki Tsuji. The series was first published in Kodansha's Bokura Magazine from 1968 to 1969 and was later published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 1970 to 1971...
. At 156 centimetre (the tallest person in his family) he is a striking contrast to the lankier Yabe.
They formed Ninety-nine in 1990 (when Okamura dropped out of Ritsumeikan University
Ritsumeikan University
Ritsumeikan University has a growing reputation as one of the main private universities of Japan. It is part of a group of prestigious private universities in the Kansai area, called "Kan -Kan -Dou -Ritsu "...
), and in 1993 won a New Talent Prize. Okamura cried with joy when interviewed after receiving the prize. The following year, Ninety-Nine hosted their first on-air show "Ninety-Nine All Night Nippon," which is still aired today. Their success continued to grow with programs such as Asayan
Asayan
Asayan, originally known as , was a talent search variety show that aired on TV Tokyo from 1995 to 2002. Many Hello! Project artists and groups were discovered through Asayan auditions produced by Tsunku....
and Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!
Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!
is a popular Japanese variety show, shown on Fuji TV. The hosts of the show are the owarai duo Ninety-Nine , and the show is usually attended by regulars Yoiko, Gokuraku Tombo, Oasiz, Shinji Takeda, Akiko Hinagata, and Sarina Suzuki. However, Gokuraku Tombo's Keiichi Yamamoto has not appeared on...
. He has also appeared in the Japanese stage adaptation of The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
. Okamura has also displayed his dancing prowess by becoming an honorary member of Johnny's Jr., performing with SMAP
SMAP
SMAP is a Japanese boy band formed by Johnny & Associates. While originally consisting of six members, the current group members are Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori...
and Exile.