America Zarigani

America Zarigani
Other namesAmezari
StyleManzai
Awards1998 – 19th ABC Comedy Newcomer Grand Prix, Jury Special Award
1998 – 28th NHK Kamigata Manzai Contest, Best Award
2002 – 31st Kamigata Comedy Awards, Best Technique Award
2003 – 38th Kamigata Manzai Awards, Encouragement Award
2008 – 6th MBS New Generation Manzai Award, Winner
Comedy career
Years active1994[1]–
WebsiteOfficial profile

America Zarigani (アメリカザリガニ) is a Japanese comedy duo formed in 1994 by Tetsuya Yanagihara (born September 1, 1972) and Yoshiyuki Hirai (born March 12, 1973).

They are a manzai group and perform in the Kansai dialect.[2]

Origins

America Zarigani started out as a theatrical troupe but became a comedic duo composed of just Hirai and Yanagihara after the other members left.[3]

Current members

Tetsuya Yanagihara

In addition to performing in America Zarigani, Yanagihara works as a voice actor. He has voice-acted in animes like My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered.[4]

Yoshiyuki Hirai

Hirai attended Osaka Designer's College, with the intention to pursue a career in the video games industry, but started performing comedy after being recommended by a friend.[3] In addition to performing in America Zarigani, Hirai has also written video games including Weapon Shop de Omasse, and the flash anime Aka-chan. He has also voice-acted in the animes Inzauma Eleven and Prince of Tennis.[5]

Both are natives of Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, and are classmates in middle and high school.[6]

Tetsuya Yanagihara (born September 1, 1972[7]) (53)
Comedian responsible for the "tsukkomi" (straight man) role, positioned on the left when facing forward.
Born in Yōkaichi City, Shiga Prefecture (now Higashiōmi City). Graduated from Osaka Nagao High School and Osaka University of Economics. Blood type O[7]. Height: 170 cm, Weight: 78 kg[7]. Single (unmarried). Wears red costumes.
The origin of his name is from his mother wanting to name him "Akiba," but it was derived from the sound reading of his father's name[8].
At birth, he was said to be completely black, hairy, and bear-like[8].
Before entering elementary school, he was passionate about catching insects because the area around his house was full of mountains[8].
During elementary school (as of 2003), his voice was loud and he was an energetic child[8]. He joined the after-school care club, and from 1st to 4th grade, he was like a brother to others, enjoying himself[8]. In 6th grade, he was a loud, popular kid who was friendly with girls, often ignored or bullied[8]. Around this time, the manga "Captain Tsubasa" was popular, and he became obsessed with soccer[8].
In middle school, he was all about soccer, and his life revolved around soccer, comedy, and anime[8]. He once overtook four people in a relay race at the sports day and was popular[8].
Memorable events in high school include being the cheerleading captain in his third year and hosting the cultural festival as MC[8]. He was very popular then, peaking in his third year[8].
After high school, he took a year off to study for university entrance exams, then joined a soccer club at university[8]. He also worked as a math tutor and part-time jobs[8].
He started comedy because his partner had already secured a job, and he was invited to join[9]. He also felt it was his calling, so he became a comedian[10].
He joined Shochiku Geino because he attended four auditions per year[10].
Known for his high-pitched, hyperactive tsukkomi (straight man) delivery[1].
Uses his distinctive high-pitched voice as a voice actor in anime and games[11].
Hobbies and skills include anime, manga, games, IT, and VR[7].
Scientific-minded and good at team sports[6].
Favorite and respected comedians include Sanma Akashiya[12] and Katsura Shizuo[10].
Yoshiyuki Hirai (born March 12, 1973[7]) (52)
Responsible for the "boke" (funny man) role, positioned on the right when facing forward.
Born in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture. Graduated from Osaka Nagao High School and Osaka Design College. Blood type A[7]. Height: 173 cm, Weight: 78 kg[7]. Single. Wears blue costumes.
His name was inspired by a favorite celebrity of his mother[8].
Born prematurely at around 2400g, he was placed in an incubator but managed to escape[8].
As a child, he was often looking elsewhere and enjoyed dancing in front of the camera[8].
During elementary school, he went to his grandmother's countryside, burned pampas grass in the riverbed, played on a sled, knocked down three cedar trees, and was rescued from drowning in a river[8]. He also provoked wild boars, which then ran away[8].
In middle school, he became less talkative and immersed himself in computers and games[8]. He met people through online chats, and at offline meetups, most were doctors or graduate students, including himself[8].
In high school, he continued with computers and games, often going to arcades on a moped[8]. He was "dull" at that time, and in his third year, he finally got his first girlfriend as part of "Daldal Breaking Plan"[8].
After high school, he enrolled in a design college as part of the second phase of his "Daldal Breaking Plan". He needed to be independent, paid his own tuition, and worked part-time jobs[8]. He wanted to pursue his interests, studying graphics[8]. He initially aimed to become a manga artist or animator[13].
The motivation to pursue comedy came when, after graduating from college, his partner told him "It's okay," and he declined a job offer[8]. Thinking, "I'm interesting, so I might as well enjoy life a bit more," he continued, which led to his career as a comedian[9]. The idea of expressing himself through comedy was refreshing[8]. Before being invited, he was unaware of comedy and didn't know much about it, unsure if he would become a professional[8]. He only knew "Yondemoyoshi" from "Yotsuya". Comedy was just a final step in his "Daldal Breaking Plan"[8].
He joined Shochiku Geino because he happened to audition there[14].
Known for his high-pitched, energetic tsukkomi (straight man) style[1].
Uses his unique voice as a voice actor in anime and games[11].
Hobbies and skills include anime, manga, games, IT, and VR[7].
Academic and individual sports-minded[6].
Favorite and respected comedians include Sanma Akashiya[12], Junji Takada[14].

Career

  • He first met in middle school, where they were in the same class[15]. They became close in high school, sitting next to each other and sharing the same classes in their first and second years—this was a decisive factor in their friendship, both sharing interests in anime and comedy[15].
  • At age 20, they formed a comedy unit with three friends, initially called "Gekidan America Zari Gani" (American Crayfish Troupe) with five members[15]. They officially started full activity during their third year of university in 1994[1][15]. The group name is derived from creatures they captured as children, which could be abbreviated[12]. However, the name was assigned randomly during their amateur days and stuck with them[13].
  • They achieved 16 consecutive wins on "Baka-Show On Air Battle," with a top score of 517 KB. They participated three times in the Champion Tournament, reaching the finals in 1999 (second place).
  • They competed in the first M-1 Grand Prix in 2001, reaching the finals for three consecutive years, finishing 4th in 2001, 9th in 2002, and 7th in 2003. In 2001, they were the fourth act to perform, maintaining second place but lost to Hariganeroock in the final.
  • They won the 6th "MBS New Generation Manzai Award" in 2008, the first duo outside Yoshimoto Kogyo to do so.
  • They have held regular live shows called "Amerizari Live" at Shochiku Geino Shinjuku Kadoza since May 2011.
  • On November 11, 2015, they streamed their solo "Amerizari Solo Live" on Nico Nico Douga, a first for Shochiku Geino, with audience participation via comments"America Zari Gani's first solo live streamed on NicoNico". Nikkansports. 2015-11-11..
  • In October 2018, they used Virtual Cast to perform as VTubers, and in January 2019, they appeared as VTubers on NHK's "Nihon no Dojime" (NHK Virtual Dojime).
  • Their comedy costumes were not fixed initially, but recently Yanagihara often wears red, and Hirai wears blue.

Awards and Achievements

M-1 Grand Prix
Year Result[16] Entry No. Final Catchphrase Notes
2001 3rd place in finals 1118 "Three Octaves Shock" Did not advance to the final due to regulations
2002 9th place in finals 1751
2003 7th place in finals 1888 "Third Time's the Charm"
"Baka-Show" On Air Battle Champion Tournament
Year Result Notes
2000 (2nd) 4th place in finals Passed in the first group
2001 (3rd) Semi-final eliminated League A, 6th place
2002 (4th) Semi-final eliminated Block B, 6th place
Other Awards & Achievements
  • 1998: 19th ABC Newcomers Grand Prix, Special Jury Prize
  • 1998: 28th NHK Kamigata Manzai Contest, Best Award
  • 1998: 27th Kamigata Comedy Awards, Silver Award
  • 1999: 34th Kamigata Manzai Awards, Newcomer Award
  • 2002: 31st Kamigata Comedy Awards, Best Skill Award
  • 2003: 38th Kamigata Manzai Awards, Encouragement Award
  • 2008: 6th "MBS New Generation Manzai Award" (Champions)
  • 2010: World Table Tennis CM Award, Encouragement Award (Hirai)
  • 2010: King of Conte semi-finalists
  • 2010: The Ena's "Nico Nico Carpet" Champions
  • 2011: Nippon Food "The Manzai" 2011, eliminated in finals

Appearances

TV Shows

Regular Appearances

Internet Live Shows

  • Otonamo Omocha (March 25, 2013 – , Nico Nico Live) – Hirai only
  • Super Piko Piko Club (June 20, 2013 – , Nico Nico Live)
  • Capcom TV! (June 18, 2014 – , Nico Nico Live) – Hirai only[note 1]
  • Denjin☆Getcha! (September 4, 2014 – , Nico Nico Live) – Yanagihara only[note 2]
  • Hokka Hokka Dake Ne! V Jump! (May 23, 2016 – , Nico Nico Live) – Hirai only
  • Segaa Pu Nico Live (May 25, 2016 – , Nico Nico Live) – Yanagihara only
  • "23/7 Twenty Three Seven" Broadcast Station (January 11, 2018 – , Nico Nico Channel) – Hirai only[17]
  • Steins;Gate Zero Future Gadget Lab Abema Branch (May 9, 2018 – , AbemaTV) – Yanagihara only
  • Tokyo Idol Stadium 2020 (June 9, 2020 – , REALITY) – Hirai only

On-Demand Distribution

  • Eimi Naruse of Denpa-gumi Inc. introduces manga with high energy (May 22, 2015 – , Fuji TV On Demand) – Yanagihara only[18]
  • "Zaripai-sensei's Want to Play Games!!" (July 17, 2015 – , YouTube, V Jump Channel) – Hirai

Past Appearances

TV

Theatrical Anime

Commercials

Other Appearances

  • "BE" / Supercar (1999) – Music PV: Friend of a friend (Yanagihara), Friend of a friend’s friend (Hirai)
  • Famitsu Game Channel (EZ Channel)
  • Xbox 360 Inside Xbox
  • Hunter Diary 2 (Famitsu Wave DVD) – Legendary comedian hunter (Yanagihara & Hirai)
  • Suda51's Suda Checker (Kojima Productions) – Steebo (Yanagihara)
  • Inomaru Dashi (VOMIC) – Kenta (Yanagihara), Mocchan (Hirai)
  • Bomberman Jetterz "Episode 53: Coming Back Jetterz" (Drama CD) – Gung (Yanagihara), Bango (Hirai)

Discography

CDs

  • ON THE BEACH (March 12, 2000) – Maxi single produced as part of Wakayama Broadcasting project. "Hirai Blues" sung by Hirai, "On the Beach" by Yanagihara.
  • Omoshiro Kenkou Hyakuka Vol.10 (Tokuma Japan Communications, April 25, 2001) – Features "Gomi Western," sung by Yanagihara, played once on "Thread King ABC".
  • Doronuma Gekijo (Saitron, April 24, 2002)
  • Koi wa Cheese Burger / I'm the Leader (Saitron, September 19, 2002) – Ending theme for Yomiuri TV "BAN!BOO! Pain!!"
  • Doronuma Gekijo 2 (Saitron, April 23, 2003)
  • Doronuma Gekijo 3 (Saitron, October 22, 2003)
  • Anison Plus x Anime☆Dance Collection (Independent Label Council Japan, July 1, 2009) – Includes "Motteke! Sailor Fuku" from "Lucky Star" (Yanagihara as Key Bo) and "Cobra" from "Space Cobra" (Yanagihara).

DVDs

  • America Zari Gani Doronuma Theater "Nishini" (Sony Music Entertainment, December 18, 2002)
  • Bakusho On Air Battle America Zari Gani (NHK Software, March 19, 2003)
  • M-1 Grand Prix 2001 Complete Version – And the Legend Began (Yoshimoto R&C, December 17, 2003) – Partial release
  • M-1 Grand Prix 2002 Complete Version – All the Fierce Battles (Yoshimoto R&C, December 17, 2003) – Partial release
  • M-1 Grand Prix 2003 Complete Version – The Passion of M-1 Warriors (Yoshimoto R&C, July 14, 2004) – Partial release
  • Live! Chikaru Japan Tour 2004 (Sony Music Distribution, December 22, 2004) – Partial release
  • Dead Ball 1: The Life-Threatening Ball That Will Surely Hit You (Tokuma Japan Communications, January 19, 2005) – Includes "Yatsu" and "Yatsu's" scenes
  • Enta no Kami-sama Best Selection Vol. 2 (Vap, January 26, 2005) – Partial release
  • Enta no Kami-sama Best Selection Vol. 4 (Vap, March 23, 2005) – Partial release
  • America Zari Gani Kikai no Karada DVD (Enterbrain, March 24, 2005)
  • Maji☆Wara Vol.2 (Fourside.com, April 25, 2005) – Partial
  • Shochiku Kadoza Live: Shochiku Kadoza Live (Vap, July 21, 2005) – Partial
  • Live! Chikaru 2005 Laughing Expo (Sony Music Direct, December 7, 2005) – Partial
  • Peace! Special Tenkaichi Bushoukai ~ The Strongest! Owarai Hakata Kessen Part 1 (Victor Entertainment, December 25, 2005) – Partial
  • Shochiku Geino Live Vol.7 America Zari Gani: Invasion and Love (Shochiku, October 28, 2006)
  • Chikaru 2006 Special Shochiku Geino Comedy Collection (Sony Music Direct, December 13, 2006) – Partial
  • America Zari Gani Kikai no Karada DVD 2 (Enterbrain, December 20, 2006)
  • America Zari Gani Kikai no Karada DVD 3 (Enterbrain, December 20, 2006)
  • America Zari Gani Kikai no Karada DVD 4 (Enterbrain, December 20, 2006)
  • America Zari Gani Kikai no Karada Taiheiyo Game-sai (Pony Canyon, July 1, 2009)
  • America Zari Gani Kikai no Karada Yana-hara Game-sai (Pony Canyon, August 5, 2009)
  • America Zari Gani Kikai no Karada Hira-i Game-sai (Pony Canyon, August 5, 2009)
  • America Zari Gani Kikai no Karada Kiseki no Daifukkatsu-hen!! (Ebten exclusive, September 30, 2011)
  • The Game Maker ~Sunsoft Edition~ (Happinet, January 19, 2010) – Hirai only
  • The Game Maker ~Jaleco Edition~ (Happinet, January 19, 2010) – Hirai only
  • The Game Maker ~Taito Edition~ (Happinet, March 19, 2010) – Hirai only
  • The Game Maker ~Irem Edition~ (Happinet, March 19, 2010) – Hirai only

Network Streaming

  • WARHAWK America's Kikai no Karada Part.1 (October 3, 2007, PSN, Sony Computer Entertainment)
  • WARHAWK America's Kikai no Karada Part.2 (October 3, 2007, PSN, Sony)

Serializations

  • Jump Soul G! "Zariman." (Weekly Shonen Jump)
  • Saki Yomi Jan BANG!: Zaripai-sensei's 4-panel comic corner "DARO!" (Saikyo Jump) – Manga by Hirai, collected in volume in 2013[21]
  • Industry Late Bloomer Girl (started September 10, 2015, manga serialization) – Manga by Hirai[22]

Others

  • "South Park: The Uncensored Movie" DVD (April 2008, Kodansha)
  • GUILD01 (May 31, 2012, Level-5) – Nintendo 3DS game including Hirai's game "Rental Weapon Shop de Omasse"
  • MC for the special event of the TV anime Houseki no Kuni (Land of the Jewels)

Appearances

Notes

  1. ^ Hirai sometimes appears as a guest.
  2. ^ Hirai sometimes appears as a guest.
  3. ^ Cast based on the fact that "America Zari Gani" is said to have scissors like Balutans.
  4. ^ However, both names appear in the credits of the pamphlet.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "America Zarigani – Lecture Requests / Profile". Speakers.jp (in Japanese). Time. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  2. ^ a b Ashcraft, Brian (2011-10-05). "Ni No Kuni's Funny Bone Has Quite The History". Kotaku. Archived from the original on January 16, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Sahdev, Ishaan (2014-03-08). "How A Comedian Ended Up Working On Weapon Shop de Omasse". Siliconera. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  4. ^ ""My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered" Anime Premieres Today, January 4th". newsonjapan.com. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  5. ^ Hazra, Adriana (2023-06-26). "Montreal's Otakuthon Hosts Voice Actors Ryotaro Okiayu, Kanae Itō; Musicians Anly, KANA-BOON, More Guests".
  6. ^ a b c "Listen to what's trending now; Instead of being caught up in the moment, I want to think of interesting things". Weekly Asahi (March 17, 2000). Asahi Shimbun: 47.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Cite error: The named reference shochikugeino was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Cite error: The named reference お笑いポポロ200305 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference FRIDAY was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference チクる!p51 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference oricon20130307 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference ポポロ200204 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference お笑いBOOK was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference チクる!p50 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference ポポロ200210 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ "History of the Tournament". M-1 Grand Prix official site. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  17. ^ "'23/7 Twenty Three Seven' official live broadcast starts at 20:00!". Inside. 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  18. ^ "Fuji TV On Demand Original Program: Eimi Naruse introduces manga with high energy" (Press release). Fuji TV. 2015-05-22.
  19. ^ "STAFF/CAST". TV Anime 'Kinnikuman' Seikoku Chōjin Shiso-hen Official Site. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  20. ^ "Anime "Yokai Gakko Hajimemashita!" to be broadcast in two consecutive cours from October 8". Natalie. 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  21. ^ "America Zari Gani Hirai's gag manga volume 1 released, with autograph signing". Natalie. 2013-12-04. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  22. ^ "America Zari Gani Hirai starts serialization of "Industry Late Bloomer Girl" manga". Natalie. 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  23. ^ a b Loo, Egan (2009-10-20). "Aka-chan (56) Flash Anime Launches on Japanese Phones". Anime News Network.
  24. ^ a b Loo, Egan (2009-03-21). "Jump Gets Its Own Saki-yomi Jum-Bang! TV Talk Show". Anime News Network.
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_Zarigani