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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 and crowd-pleasing impressions (51–60)

Motonari Izumi

[ASMR] Motoya Eats Zaru Soba
Motonari Izumi

If you want to do an impression of Motoya Izumi—well, it might be quicker to just imitate Chocolate Planet’s Mr.

Osada instead.

Just mimic the kyogen move where you extend your right hand forward and shuffle along saying “sorori, sorori,” and you’re good! If you have a kimono, it’ll look even more authentic.

When pretending to eat, go over the top like you’re chomping a big apple while saying “amu, amu.” Or better yet, bring someone who can do an impression of IKKO and have them do Chocolate Planet’s skit—guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Shun Oguri

[Official] Obata no Oniisan 'Shun Oguri Skit'
Shun Oguri

Shun Oguri has many fans among both men and women.

He’s an actor who amazes us with his wide range, from romance to gritty roles.

When it comes to impressions of Oguri, though, these days many people probably think of the comedian Obata no Oniisan.

His bit where he mimics Hanazawa Rui—Oguri’s character from his signature work Hana Yori Dango—and forces any conversation to end with “Ma~kino!” is funny even when you see it coming.

If you want to do a Shun Oguri impression, it might be quicker to aim for a perfect copy of Obata no Oniisan rather than studying Oguri’s actual roles (lol).

Yutaka Ozaki

[Collab] Mr. Shachihoko’s impersonation class!!
Yutaka Ozaki

Even now, the legendary singer Yutaka Ozaki remains popular.

Aren’t there still quite a few people who try to impersonate him? When you imitate a vocalist with strong singing ability, you’ll need a comparable level of skill yourself, and by studying how they produce their voice, you can broaden your own vocal range.

So I recommend giving it a try without dismissing it as just a novelty act.

According to impressionist Mr.

Shachihoko, the trick is to pronounce “yo” as “ya!”

Shinichi Mori

Croquette impression: Shinichi Mori’s “Ofukuro-san”
Shinichi Mori

Imitating singing is quite difficult, but with this person’s impressions, it often seems like the main act isn’t the singing itself so much as the facial expressions while singing, right? (lol).

Also, for some reason, saying “I’m Shinichi Mori” is a sure-fire bit.

If you introduce yourself in a slightly rough, husky voice and then sing, it’s perfect! After that, add some extra facial comedy for good measure!

Celebrities who are easy to impersonate: Popular and crowd-pleasing impressions (61–70)

Yosui Inoue

Speaking of godlike impersonations, there’s Kanuzuki the impressionist’s take on Yosui Inoue.

No matter how many times you see it, it’s hilarious and incredibly accurate.

The classic Yosui Inoue impersonation look features an afro-like hairstyle and black sunglasses.

If you want a guaranteed hit, make sure to prepare those.

A nasal tone and a sticky, lingering vocal delivery are essential points for the impression.

For song choices: if you want to power through on momentum, go with “Kazarijanai no yo Namida wa” (“Tears Aren’t Just for Show”); if you’re confident in your impersonation, “Shonen Jidai” (“Boyhood”) is recommended.

And don’t forget to check out the famous catchphrase from the commercial: “Minasan, ogenki desu ka?” (“Hello everyone, how are you?”)

Shinya Ueda

[Ota Ueda #98] We talked about impressionist/impersonation comedians
Shinya Ueda

These days, Shinya Ueda of the comedy duo Cream Stew is often active as an MC who runs entire shows.

Beyond variety programs, he’s also drawing attention as a news anchor.

When it comes to impersonating Ueda, that would be Yanō from Galibenz.

It’s beyond just “sounding similar”—if you only heard the voice, you might honestly think it was the man himself.

One of Ueda’s trademarks is peppering conversations with little fillers like “ah” and “er.” Also, in his punchlines—like “What is this, Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano or what?!”—you can catch a subtle hint of high-level wit.

If you’re going to impersonate him, it’s a good idea to prep some difficult vocabulary in advance!

Mika Nakashima

[Collab] Mr. Shachihoko’s impersonation class!!
Mika Nakashima

Mika Nakashima is distinctive in both her makeup and singing.

If you’re a woman, approaching it from the appearance side could be a good idea.

Her eye makeup is a notable feature, so women should be able to imitate it right away.

If you have long hair, you might resemble her even more.

As for tips on impersonating Mika Nakashima’s singing, impressionist Mr.

Shachihoko once said that the key is to “sing all the lyrics using just the vowels a-i-u-e-o.” Be sure to study her famous hit songs, Yuki no Hana and ORION, in advance.