Akira Kawashima (川島 明, Kawashima Akira, born February 3, 1979, in
Uji,
Kyoto) is a Japanese comedian, tarento and actor who has featured in films, television, and radio. He performs boke and writes all the material in his comedy duo
Kirin.[1] His partner is
Hiroshi Tamura. Kawashima is represented by
Yoshimoto Kogyo and is mainly active in Tokyo and
Osaka.
Life and career
Kawashima graduated from the 20th generation
Yoshimoto NSCOsaka.[1] He formed the comedy duo Kirin with Hiroshi Tamura in 1999 and rose to popularity after becoming a finalist in the 1st
M-1 Grand Prix in 2001. Kirin continued to make strides as they entered the finals 5 out of the 8 times they entered the M-1 Grand Prix, becoming active in
manzai despite their initial focus on the genre of
conte. In 2010, Kawashima entered the R-1 Grand Prix and was a finalist, finishing in 4th place overall.
Kawashima was engaged in 2015[2] and married on March 8, 2016.[3] Later that year in November 2016, Kawashima won his first oogiri winning title on Ippon Grand Prix, defeating the then three-time champion
Bakarhythm. From then on, Kawashima was a regular on Ippon Grand Prix, almost winning his second and back to back title against
Chihara Junior in May 2017, but lost as the runners-up. Kawashima continues to perform as a television personality.
Media
This list consists of only media appearances and works by Akira Kawashima, for appearances and works as the comedy duo Kirin, see Kirin.
Movies
Nichijō Koi no Koe (日常 恋の声) (SSM Co Ltd, 2007-02-03)
Hashiriya Zero II (走り屋ZERO II) (Jolly Roger, 2009-06-20)