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| Funamizu Kensuke |
CLOUDTENPEDIA - Funamizu Kensuke (舩水 健佑, Funamizu Kensuke) is a Japanese entertainer, singer, and dancer affiliated with the theater boys project Cloud ten, a male artist group comprehensively produced by Yasushi Akimoto. Born on September 8 in Aichi Prefecture, Funamizu is recognized for his dual identity as a former professional chef and a performer with musical talents including piano and electric guitar. Standing 173 centimeters tall with blood type A, he is one of the thirty members selected through a nationwide audition process that began in the summer of 2025. Since the group's official launch in April 2026, Funamizu has become a notable presence within Cloud ten, participating in the group's inaugural theater performances and major public appearances, including the Tokyo Girls Collection in September 2026.
Cloud ten: Origins and Concept
Cloud ten is a theater boys project developed as a collaboration between Yasushi Akimoto's office Y&N Brothers, Mitsui Fudosan, and Tokyo Dome, with the stated purpose of cultivating the next generation of male artists. The project was formally announced on April 23, 2026, at a launch event held at the Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, where all thirty members were introduced to the public for the first time. The group's name derives from the English idiom "Cloud nine," which signifies a state of ultimate happiness; by adopting "Cloud ten," the project aims to embody a desire to surpass even that highest level of joy and deliver an unprecedented sense of fulfillment to audiences.
The members of Cloud ten were selected through a rigorous nationwide audition process that commenced in the summer of 2025 and concluded with a final training camp. The resulting roster of thirty individuals encompasses a remarkably diverse range of backgrounds, including current students at prestigious institutions such as the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, a national dance champion, a former kokutai athlete, and a former professional chef. This diversity of experience and talent is central to the group's identity, positioning Cloud ten not merely as a conventional idol group but as a collective of individuals with distinct personal histories and competencies.
The operational structure of Cloud ten is modeled in part on the theater-based approach that Akimoto previously employed with AKB48. The thirty members are divided into three teams that perform in alternating daily shows at the group's dedicated venue, the Cloud ten THEATER, which opened on August 2, 2026, within the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, Tokyo. The theater, designed with an off-Broadway concept, accommodates approximately three hundred seats arranged in a U-shaped configuration around the stage, creating an intimate performance environment that allows audiences to witness the members' growth and development at close range.
Early Life and Pre-Debut Career
Prior to his entry into the entertainment industry, Funamizu worked as a professional chef, a background that has become a defining aspect of his public persona within Cloud ten. At the group's debut press conference in April 2026, Akimoto specifically highlighted Funamizu as one of the more uniquely characterized members, remarking that he had been "fileting fish until recently". This culinary expertise, particularly his skill in preparing and cleaning fish, is frequently mentioned in media coverage and has contributed to his reputation as a multi-talented individual with practical, hands-on capabilities.
Funamizu's transition from the kitchen to the stage was driven by a desire to pursue a career in performance. In an interview featured in the Cloud ten large-scale serial feature published by Iza, he explained that his strength lies in his willingness to immediately take on new challenges that capture his interest. He stated that when he began to consider pursuing this type of work, he applied for the audition without hesitation, demonstrating a decisive and proactive approach to career change. This willingness to embrace new opportunities and his ability to adapt quickly to unfamiliar environments have been evident throughout his development as a performer.
His background as a chef also serves as a source of relatable humor and self-deprecating commentary. During a theater performance in August 2026, when called upon by fellow member Kiyohide Mochizuki to share his thoughts, Funamizu remarked that exactly one year earlier he could never have imagined standing on such a large stage and becoming an idol alongside such wonderful members. He then famously compared himself to shirasu—tiny, immature whitebait—indicating that he still considers himself to be in the early stages of his development as a performer. This self-characterization as a work in progress has resonated with audiences and reflects the humble, growth-oriented mindset that characterizes Cloud ten's overarching philosophy.
Skills, Talents, and Interests
Funamizu possesses a diverse set of skills that extend beyond performance. His special talents include playing the piano and the ability to prepare fish, the latter directly stemming from his professional culinary background. These capabilities distinguish him from many of his peers within the group and contribute to the multifaceted image that Cloud ten seeks to project. His piano proficiency suggests a foundational musical literacy that may inform his approach to singing and performance, while his fish-cleaning skill represents a tangible, practical expertise that he can demonstrate in variety and talk show contexts.
In terms of hobbies, Funamizu enjoys bowling and playing the electric guitar. He has also recently developed an interest in reading, which he began as a means of improving his writing abilities. In his interview with Iza, he explained that because all members were writing daily blog posts, and he had previously lacked the habit of reading and writing, he started reading more to better understand correct Japanese syntax and connective expressions. This deliberate effort to improve his communication skills reflects a broader commitment to personal and professional growth that aligns with the developmental ethos of Cloud ten.
His self-identified special skill of "high-speed clapping" further illustrates his playful and idiosyncratic personality, which adds a distinctive flavor to his contributions to the group's dynamic. Additionally, he has named Kazuki Hayashi of DOBERMAN INFINITY and Kokoro Kowata of PSYCHIC FEVER as his respected seniors and performance role models. He particularly admires Kowata for the stability of his vocals even while dancing, describing it as an ideal that he aspires to achieve as a performer who both sings and dances simultaneously.
Role Within Cloud ten and Performance Activities
Funamizu was among the eleven members selected to perform on the inaugural day of Cloud ten's dedicated theater on August 2, 2026. The first-day cast included Seiji Ueno, Toma Uji, Ayumu Owada, Riku Komai, Yamato Seki, Ryu Tomizawa, Kotaro Hasumi, Motoki Hiraoka, Ryoto Fukushima, Funamizu, and Kiyohide Mochizuki. The opening performance, titled "We're Cloud ten," featured a total of sixteen songs including encores, and was performed before a sold-out audience of approximately three hundred people. Funamizu's participation in this landmark performance marks a significant milestone in his career and underscores his standing as a trusted member of the group's core performance unit.
Beyond the theater, Funamizu has also been selected for high-profile external appearances. On September 19, 2026, he was part of the eleven-member delegation that represented Cloud ten at the Tokyo Girls Collection held at Yokohama Arena, marking the group's first appearance at this major fashion and entertainment event. The participating members donned red-themed costumes and performed the original song "Gomen Ai Koso Subete" (ごめん 愛こそすべて) before a large audience. This performance represented a significant expansion of Cloud ten's visibility beyond their dedicated theater and introduced Funamizu and his colleagues to a broader segment of the Japanese public.
Goals and Aspirations
Funamizu has articulated clear and ambitious goals for both himself and Cloud ten as a collective. In his interview with Iza, he stated that his personal dream is to transform Cloud ten into a "national group" (国民的グループ), comparable in recognition to AKB48. He elaborated that there are several groups in Japan whose names are known to virtually everyone and that possess representative songs that almost anyone would recognize, citing AKB48's "Heavy Rotation" and "Koisuru Fortune Cookie" as examples. He expressed a strong desire for Cloud ten to achieve a similar level of cultural penetration and recognition, eventually producing signature songs that become part of the broader Japanese musical consciousness.
A concrete intermediary goal that Funamizu shares with his fellow members is to perform at Tokyo Dome. He mentioned that this objective is frequently discussed among the members as a clear and unifying target. The aspiration to fill Tokyo Dome—a venue with a capacity of approximately fifty-five thousand people—represents a significant step beyond the intimate three-hundred-seat theater that currently serves as the group's home base. The members of Cloud ten have collectively expressed their commitment to growing their audience and honing their skills in order to eventually achieve this milestone.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
Since the opening of the Cloud ten THEATER in August 2026, Funamizu and his fellow members have maintained a demanding performance schedule that combines daily theater shows with occasional external appearances. The theater's unique configuration, with seats wrapping around the stage in a U-shape, has been designed to foster a sense of closeness between performers and audiences, allowing fans to witness the gradual improvement of the members' singing and dancing abilities over time. Performances are typically held at 18:30 on weekdays, with two shows on weekends and holidays, providing consistent opportunities for the public to experience Cloud ten's evolving stagecraft.
The group's activities have also expanded into the digital realm. The opening performance and subsequent Friday shows from August 14, 2026, onward have been exclusively distributed on the Lemino streaming platform, enabling fans across Japan who cannot physically attend the theater to watch the performances. This digital distribution strategy complements the physical theater experience and extends Cloud ten's reach beyond the geographical limitations of Odaiba. The group's growing presence in both physical and digital spaces suggests a multi-platform approach that mirrors broader trends in contemporary entertainment consumption.
Funamizu's trajectory from professional chef to theater performer and emerging public figure reflects the unconventional pathways that Cloud ten actively seeks to include within its membership. His unique combination of culinary skill, musical ability, and commitment to personal growth positions him as a distinctive contributor to the group's collective identity. As Cloud ten continues to develop its repertoire and expand its audience base through theater performances, external events, and digital distribution, Funamizu is expected to remain an integral part of the group's performance core. The stated goal of becoming a nationally recognized group with the potential to perform at Tokyo Dome provides a clear direction for the collective's efforts, and Funamizu's individual journey of self-improvement and skill acquisition will continue to unfold within that broader context of group advancement and audience engagement.