Owada Ayumu

CLOUDTENPEDIA - Ayumu Owada (大和田 歩夢, Ōwada Ayumu, born July 13, 2000) is a Japanese singer and idol. He is a first-generation member of the boy group Cloud ten, a theater-based male idol project produced by Yasushi Akimoto that debuted in 2026. Prior to joining Cloud ten, Owada was a contestant on PRODUCE 101 JAPAN Season 2 in 2021 and a member of the boy group 2xFE from 2023 to 2025. He is known for his versatile performance style, his background in electric guitar, and his long-pursued ambition to become an idol.

Early Life and Background

Ayumu Owada was born on July 13, 2000, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He has an AB blood type and stands 175 cm tall. From a young age, Owada aspired to become an idol, a dream that would take him through years of auditions and setbacks before he achieved mainstream recognition.

Owada's personal interests and skills reflect a diverse range of creative pursuits. He is an accomplished electric guitarist, having begun playing in junior high school and spending much of his high school years in band activities. He also played soccer, a sport he participated in from early childhood. In terms of hobbies, Owada enjoys watching horror films, eating extremely spicy food, and men's makeup (men's cosmetics), having accumulated five years of experience in the latter. His rap skills were highlighted during his PRODUCE 101 JAPAN profile, where he listed rapping as a particular confidence.

PRODUCE 101 JAPAN Season 2

In 2021, Owada participated in PRODUCE 101 JAPAN Season 2, a Japanese survival audition program that sought to form a new boy group. He was one of 101 trainees competing for a spot in the final lineup. During the initial ranking announcement, Owada placed 38th, eventually rising to 20th in the first round of evaluations. However, he was eliminated during the second ranking announcement, finishing at 36th place overall.

Despite the disappointment of not debuting through the program, Owada's participation in PRODUCE 101 JAPAN Season 2 marked a significant stepping stone in his career. The experience exposed him to the rigors of the entertainment industry and connected him with fellow trainees who would later become collaborators. His time on the show also brought him public attention, albeit accompanied by some controversy regarding personal matters that he subsequently addressed by privatizing his social media accounts.

2xFE Activities

Following his elimination from PRODUCE 101 JAPAN Season 2, Owada continued to pursue his idol aspirations. On August 31, 2023, he was revealed as a member of the boy group 2xFE (pronounced "Two F E"), alongside fellow former PRODUCE 101 JAPAN contestants Rui Iiyoshi and Shogo Mukoyama. The group's name is an abbreviation of "-Future From East End-," embodying the concept of transmitting music from Japan—the "east end" of the world—to a global audience.

2xFE was affiliated with Pony Canyon and released music in both J-pop and K-pop styles. The group performed at venues including Shibuya Club Quattro in September 2024 as part of "The First Piece 2024" event. Owada performed under the stage name Ayumu during his tenure with the group.

On October 3, 2025, it was announced that Owada would be graduating from 2xFE, with his final activities scheduled for October 31, 2025. His departure from the group marked the end of one chapter in his career and the beginning of another, as he would soon be revealed as a member of a major new idol project.

Cloud ten

On April 23, 2026, Owada was officially revealed as a member of Cloud ten, a theater-based male idol group produced by renowned lyricist and producer Yasushi Akimoto. The project was a collaboration between Y&N Brothers, Mitsui Fudosan Group, and Tokyo Dome Corporation, aiming to create a new style of "idol you can meet" through dedicated theater performances.

The group's name derives from "Cloud nine," a term signifying supreme happiness, with "ten" representing the ambition to surpass existing frameworks and limits. Cloud ten consists of 30 first-generation members divided into three rotating teams that perform daily at the Cloud ten THEATER in DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, Odaiba, which opened on August 2, 2026.

Debut and Theater Performances

Cloud ten held its first theater performance, titled "We're Cloud ten," on August 2, 2026, with Owada among the 11 members selected for the opening-day cast. The performance featured original songs including "Kimi wa Kimi da" (You Are You), which incorporated a signature hand gesture combining "W" and "C" to represent the number ten, as well as "Gomen Ai Koso Subete" (Sorry, Love Is Everything).

During the opening performance, the group announced that their official fan name would be "winds." Owada explained the significance of the name, stating that it originated from the lyric "wind" in their song "We're Cloud ten," and expressed the hope that fans would "send lots of wind" to help the members "soar high into the sky and become stars".

Role and Reception

Owada has been positioned as a representative member of Cloud ten, frequently participating in media interviews and promotional events on behalf of the group. In July 2026, he appeared alongside fellow members Kiyohide Mochizuki and Haru Kimura in an interview with Yamagata Shimbun, where he discussed his past struggles and the significance of joining Cloud ten.

In a feature for Iza newspaper's "Cloud ten Large Serial" series, Owada reflected on his journey, stating, "I had been aiming to be an idol for quite a long time, and I experienced numerous frustrating moments, including missing out on debut through audition programs. I had even started preparing for employment. To be selected in this audition made me feel that my efforts had not been wrong. I felt that my turn had finally come, and I was ready to push forward".

Owada has also been vocal about his personal goals. He has expressed a desire to become an idol who excels in variety television, citing Rino Sashihara as a role model for her multifaceted career. For the Cloud ten project as a whole, he has articulated the collective ambition of all 30 members to eventually stand on the stage of Tokyo Dome, a goal that has been repeatedly emphasized by the group.

Artistry and Public Image

Owada is recognized for his "idol quality" (アイドル性), a term he himself uses to describe his greatest strength. In an interview with Iza, he explained, "Because I have spent many years polishing myself as an aspiring idol, I am able to present myself in various ways. Whether it is a cute song, a cool song, or a heartbreaking song, I can adapt my presentation to match the atmosphere".

His performance style emphasizes facial expressions and emotional nuance, which he believes are particularly suited to the intimate setting of the Cloud ten theater. "I want people to pay attention to the changes in my expressions," he has said, noting that the close proximity of the theater allows audiences to see even the subtlest details of each member's performance.

Owada's public persona combines a gentle, calming demeanor with a strong inner resolve. The Iza feature described him as possessing a "gentle atmosphere and strong spirit," characterizing him as a "yasamen" (a term combining "gentle" and "men") who approaches his goals with quiet determination. This contrast between his soft-spoken nature and his fierce ambition has become part of his appeal to fans.

Personal Life

Beyond his musical pursuits, Owada has demonstrated a strong interest in fashion and beauty. He has expressed a desire to launch his own brand—whether in apparel or cosmetics—and has been studying talk skills in preparation for potential variety television opportunities. His five-year experience with men's makeup has been highlighted in media appearances, including a feature in Excite where he shared his favorite cosmetic items.

Owada's journey to success was not without significant challenges. He has spoken openly about experiencing "the greatest setback of his life" when he realized his overwhelming lack of ability during auditions, and he had begun preparing for a conventional career before being selected for Cloud ten. His perseverance through years of rejection and disappointment has become a central narrative in his public story, resonating with fans who admire his dedication to his dream.

Legacy and Future Prospects

As a member of Cloud ten, Owada is part of a project that aims to redefine the male idol landscape in Japan through the "theater boy group" concept. The dedicated theater at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza allows for daily performances and direct interaction between members and fans, a model that draws inspiration from the success of AKB48 and similar idol groups.

For Owada personally, his trajectory from a PRODUCE 101 JAPAN trainee eliminated in the second round to a representative member of a Yasushi Akimoto-produced group represents a remarkable comeback narrative. His stated goals include becoming a nationally recognized entertainer and contributing to Cloud ten's ascent to Tokyo Dome. As the project continues to develop, Owada's versatility, dedication, and hard-earned experience position him as a key figure in the group's evolution.