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Celebrities who are easy to impersonate: Popular impressions that are often mimicked and get the crowd going

Impersonating celebrities is a classic way to get the crowd going at company parties and mixers.

It’s also popular as entertainment or even for self-introductions, and plenty of people probably want to give it a try themselves.

That said, it can be hard to decide which celebrity to impersonate, and ideally you’d want to know some impressions that are easy to learn!

So in this article, we’ll introduce lots of simple, approachable celebrity impressions that are sure to liven up any event.

We’ve picked well-known celebrities regardless of gender, so choose the impression that suits you best and take your time practicing.

Celebrities who are easy to impersonate: Popular impressions that people often do and that really hype up the crowd (41–50)

Ryoko Shinohara

[Sara] Singing impression: Ryoko Shinohara – “Itoshisa to Setsunasa to Kokorozuyosa to”
Ryoko Shinohara

Ryoko Shinohara is also one of the celebrities who are popular among impressionists.

Her slightly nasal voice is distinctive.

Impressionists who mimic Shinohara include Ayano Fukuda, Sara, and Komori from Ume Kobachi, who also does a good impression.

It’s a good idea to watch videos and study lines she often says.

In her recent drama Haken no Hinkaku, famous lines include “So what?” and “Understood,” and these have even been made into LINE stickers.

Also, be sure to note her gesture of occasionally running her fingers through her long hair!

Kohei Otomo

Ringo-chan – Yasuhira Otomo & Ikuzo Yoshi
Kohei Otomo

Yasuhira Otomo of HOUND DOG is a popular figure representing a rugged, masculine rocker.

The easy part of impersonating him is that if you imitate his voice and sing his hit song “ff (Fortissimo),” you’ll end up with something that feels very Otomo-like.

Rather than someone who just looks a lot like him, it’s actually more impactful—and gets bigger laughs—when someone you’d never expect manages to match only his voice.

Aim for that gap effect, like Ringo-chan, who’s been everywhere lately!

Sei Hiraizumi

Yuki Yamada promotes his debut film “Live” by doing an impression of Sei Hiraizumi! / Interview for the film “Live”
Sei Hiraizumi

Imitating Japan’s renowned actor Sei Hiraizumi has practically become a sure-fire hit.

Many men can produce that husky voice fairly easily, and it’s a great impression to master because the characteristics are easy to grasp.

That part is simple enough, but to really set yourself apart from the competition, it comes down to the lines.

Let’s look for some of his richly nuanced lines—he often plays deeply flavorful roles—and try mimicking them.

Tatsuya Fujiwara

Tatsuya Fujiwara impressionist Girly Record’s Takai: “I overdid it and can’t get back to being Takai.”
Tatsuya Fujiwara

Tatsuya Fujiwara, who has appeared in many talked-about screen productions including Death Note, is widely known and popular, and his distinctive character makes him a frequent target for impressions by many entertainers.

A good angle is to do impressions along the lines of “What if Tatsuya Fujiwara did ○○?” while playfully adapting his signature lines from roles.

It might actually go over better—and be funnier—if the performer creates a deliberate contrast by only mimicking his hairstyle and eyebrows, leaving a gap with the rest of their appearance.

Eikichi Yazawa

[Collab] Mr. Shachihoko’s impersonation class!!
Eikichi Yazawa

Do you know Yazawa B-Kichi from the impersonation duo “Kurisottsu”? He’s not just spot-on with the singing—his gestures and facial expressions are so similar that at a glance you can hardly tell whether it’s actually Eikichi Yazawa himself.

Many people who impersonate Yazawa wear a white suit and style their hair like a pompadour, so those details are likely key points to nail.

If you’re doing karaoke, having a mic stand makes it even better—you can do the classic bit where you turn your face away from the mic when you’re not singing! For the vocals, the trick is a husky voice and drawing out the ends of phrases.

The recommended song is “Tomaranai HA~HA.” It’s guaranteed to hype up the crowd with call-and-response!

Haruka Ayase

Haruka Ayase SK-II commercial impression (impersonation)
Haruka Ayase

When it comes to impersonating Haruka Ayase, you think of Sara, right? I’ve had so many moments where I did a double take at the TV, thinking, “Wait, that wasn’t actually Haruka Ayase?” If you have a kimono, you can impersonate Ayase from the drama Jin.

Just scurry around a bit and shout “Dr.

Sakamoto!” and it’ll be a big hit.

Watch Ayano Fukuda’s impressions too to pick up some tips.

Also, it’s funny to sprinkle in lines from commercials she’s in, like “SK-II!!” or “Panasonic!!” at key moments!

Akira Nakao

King Joe Taiyou [Impression of Akira Nakao]
Akira Nakao

When it comes to impersonating Akira Nakao, it’s all about that signature “twisty-twisty shawl.” It can be a scarf, a bath towel—anything—just wrap it around your neck and twist it around.

Then say something that sounds like the sort of thing Nakao-san would say, for example, “When it comes to taste, you know, once you start putting it into words, it’s all over,” and deliver it with lots of pauses—it’s strangely convincing.

He’s also famous for being a devoted husband, so it works well to sprinkle in lines like “Shino, Shino,” here and there, or “My Shino…” There’s so much to imitate that it’s especially recommended for beginners!