We introduced our readers to the “dance-ish” performer Kenichi Ebina when he first appeared on the popular NBC performance program America’s Got Talent earlier this year and summarized The Matrix in a 90-second dance routine. We knew then that he was something special, but little did we know he would go on to take the top prize, becoming not only the first Japanese but also the first dancer to do so.
About 75,000 people audition for a place on the show, and when he first appeared, the judges didn’t seem that impressed. By the time he finished performing his Matrix piece, though, the judges and audience alike were on their feet, cheering. The video was posted on YouTube and viewed over 16 million times!
Ebina went on to wow audiences this season with a video-game-like virtual reality performance, a face-off with himself, and other mind-bending concepts. Finally, it was down to Ebina and comedian Taylor Williamson, but a final performance that would have done Michael Jackson proud scored him the top spot, 1 million US dollars, and a headline Vegas show, not to mention some serious bragging rights.
On a Japanese TV program following his win, Ebina said, “I was so happy. I’ve appeared in several competitions, but this one was a whole other league. I was shocked to win.” He also said he wanted to bring together some of the other amazing performers in Japan for his show and expressed a desire to participate in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.
Now there’s something we can all look forward to!
Check out the video below to see all of his AGT performances.
America’s Got Talent winner Kenichi Ebina in charge or upcoming Captain Tsubasa stage show
Japanese comedian baffles, amazes judges on America’s Got Talent with weird dance, Japanese humor
Travis Japan, the hot Japanese boy band winning hearts through America’s Got Talent【Video】
The kid’s got moves: Tiny dancer wows audiences on Chinese talent show 【Video】
Japanese dance group combines the traditional and modern with cool “Asia’s Got Talent” performance
Does a long line mean a sweeter deal? We compare two sweets from a Hokkaido food fair【Taste test】
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
Foreign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza
Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
Can you make instant udon noodles with room-temperature water? We find out
Japanese woman finds better way to make potato salad, we may not be able to go back to old style
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese magician’s cutting-edge performance stuns judges on Britain’s Got Talent 【Video】