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| Nishiyama Iyota |
CLOUDTENPEDIA - Nishiyama Iyota (西山 巳喜多, born September 9) is a Japanese idol, dancer, and singer. He is a first-generation member of the Japanese boy band Cloud ten, a theatrical boy group project general-produced by Yasushi Akimoto. Tomizawa is one of the thirty members selected through a nationwide audition process and has been active with the group since its official debut events began in April 2026. He is known for his self-taught K-pop dance skills, his distinctive hobby of eel fishing, and his aspirations to perform at the Tokyo Dome with all thirty members of Cloud ten.
Early Life and Background
Nishiyama Iyota was born on September 9 in Tokyo, Japan. He has blood type A and stands 175 centimeters tall. His name is written in kanji as 西山巳喜多, with the given name "Iyota" rendered in an uncommon reading. He is a founding member of Cloud ten, having been selected as part of the group's first generation in 2026.
Before entering the entertainment industry, Nishiyama developed his dance abilities entirely through self-study. He has stated that he practiced K-pop dance on his own, developing a style characterized by sharp, precise movements that he describes as "kire-kire" (キレキレ), meaning crisp and sharp. He has cited ENHYPEN's NI-KI as a long-standing role model, particularly admiring NI-KI's approach to dance presentation and fashion coordination. His interest in fashion extends beyond performance, as he enjoys collecting clothes and remaking garments as a creative outlet. He also has training in tate (殺陣), the traditional Japanese stage combat technique used in samurai dramas. In terms of personality typing, Nishiyama is an ESFP, categorized as "The Entertainer."
His hobbies include eel fishing, sea fishing, and video games. He has described fishing as a pursuit that requires significant patience, noting that catching eel depends more on luck than technique. He is also an avid cat lover and is described in media coverage as a "handsome cat owner" (イケメン愛猫家). For stress relief, he turns to shopping for clothes.
Career
Cloud ten Formation and Audition
In the summer of 2025, Cloud ten launched a nationwide audition to recruit members for a new theatrical boy group project helmed by Yasushi Akimoto, the prolific music producer behind AKB48 and numerous other successful idol acts. The project was a joint venture between Y&N Brothers, Mitsui Fudosan, and Tokyo Dome Corporation. After a rigorous selection process, thirty members were chosen from across Japan, ranging from Hokkaido to Kagoshima. Nishiyama Iyota was among those selected as a member of the first generation.
Reflecting on the audition experience, Nishiyama stated in a July 2026 interview with Iza: "Even now, six months after being selected, I still occasionally cannot feel the reality of it. It feels like a dream, and I sometimes wonder if I am truly an idol." The audition process brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, including university students, dancers, and former cooks, creating what media described as a collection of "rough gems" (原石).
Debut and Theater Performances
Cloud ten officially began activities on April 26, 2026, with a series of debut events held at commercial facilities across the Kanto region. The group performed songs including "Sarigenai Mirai," "Kimi to Someday," and "Gomen Ai Koso Subete." After the first fan event, Nishiyama commented on the novelty of performing before a live audience: "Standing in front of fans for the first time, I found myself wondering how my performance was reaching them." He described the three-month period of debut events as deepening the bonds among the thirty members and revealing each person's unique strengths and personality.
On August 2, 2026, the group opened its dedicated theater, Cloud ten THEATER, on the sixth floor of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, Tokyo. The approximately 300-seat venue was designed with an "off-Broadway" concept, featuring a U-shaped seating arrangement that surrounds the stage. The thirty members are divided into three rotating groups, with daily original performances. Nishiyama performed in the third group's opening show on August 4, 2026, alongside ten other members including Ose Raiki, Kimura Haru, and Sato Ryusei. The group delivered a sixteen-song set that included "Bokutachi no Jiyuu" and "Tsugi ni Aeru Hi Made." During a later theater performance, Nishiyama introduced a new song, "An Underwater Flower," telling the audience, "Actually, today is the first time I am performing this in front of everyone," a moment that was noted for his visible excitement.
Tokyo Dome Aspirations
In his July 2026 interview with Iza, Nishiyama outlined his future goals: "To dance together with NI-KI someday! To do a dome tour with these thirty members! To become a national idol group!" The collective ambition of performing at Tokyo Dome has been echoed by other Cloud ten members, reflecting the group's broader aspirations as a theatrical idol project. The group's dedicated theater model, with daily rotating performances, positions members like Nishiyama in a space between traditional idol groups and stage actors, allowing for continuous skill development and direct audience engagement.
Artistry and Public Image
Performance Style
Nishiyama's performance style is characterized by the contrast between his warm, approachable demeanor and the sharp precision of his dance movements. Media coverage has described him as a "gap prince" (ギャップ王子), referring to the appeal of his cute smile paired with cool, controlled dancing. His self-taught K-pop dance background distinguishes him from members with formal training, and he has expressed confidence in his ability to match dancers with professional experience. During the audition process, he assisted fellow members who were new to dance, demonstrating both technical skill and a collaborative spirit.
In unit and group performances, Nishiyama has shown versatility across a range of song styles, from upbeat group numbers to more dramatic pieces. His theatrical training in tate adds a dimension of stage combat capability that aligns with Cloud ten's theatrical performance concept. His long eyelashes have been noted as a distinctive physical feature, which he has humorously cited as part of his charm.
Personality and Reception
Media profiles have consistently highlighted Nishiyama's friendly and engaging personality, describing him as "handsome" with an "approachable smile" and a deep affection for cats. His blog posts and MC appearances are noted for their careful use of language, and he has been characterized as someone who thinks deeply about his role and his selection into the group. His fishing hobby, particularly his enthusiasm for eel fishing, has been featured in outdoor publications, where he was described not merely as a fishing enthusiast but as a young person with a genuine love for living creatures and nature.
Personal Life
Nishiyama's personal interests revolve around fashion, fishing, and gaming. He enjoys collecting clothing and remaking garments as a creative pursuit, and has cited shopping for clothes as his primary stress relief method. His fishing activities include both sea fishing and eel fishing, and he has been featured in BE-PAL magazine demonstrating his techniques for catching natural eel in Tokyo's rivers. He prefers using night-glow fishing hooks and has developed specific methods for baiting and waiting for eels to take the hook. His cat ownership is a notable part of his public persona, and he has been described as a "cat-loving" member of the group.
Legacy and Future Prospects
As a member of Cloud ten's first generation, Nishiyama Iyota represents a new model of Japanese idol that blends theatrical performance with accessible, daily engagement. The Cloud ten THEATER model, with its daily rotating performances and intimate seating, positions members like Nishiyama in a space between traditional idol groups and stage actors, allowing for continuous skill development and direct audience engagement.
His self-taught dance background and distinctive personal hobbies—particularly his expertise in eel fishing—contribute to a public image that combines professional ambition with authentic, relatable interests. His stated goals of dancing with ENHYPEN's NI-KI, performing a dome tour with all thirty Cloud ten members, and becoming a national idol group reflect both personal ambition and collective aspiration. Whether these goals will be realized remains to be seen, but Nishiyama's trajectory from self-taught dancer to first-generation member of a major theatrical idol project illustrates the evolving landscape of Japanese entertainment, where diverse backgrounds and personal passions are increasingly valued as part of an idol's appeal.