Internationally Acclaimed Performers Bring Laughter Beyond Language Barriers to Osaka, Building on the Momentum of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
October 19, 2026 — Bringing together internationally acclaimed performers and productions recognized at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 celebrated the universal language of laughter in Osaka’s Minami district from October 10 to 12. The international comedy festival showcased nonverbal comedy that transcends language barriers, while a program held in conjunction with the festival saw Cirque du Soleil hold its first-ever clown auditions in Japan. Organized as part of Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City’s efforts to sustain the momentum generated by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the festival welcomed a total of 73,658 attendees over three days.
Organized by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive Committee, the three-day festival took place at Namba Square and SPACE14 on the 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO. Centered on nonverbal comedy, the program brought together performers and productions that have earned international recognition, offering audiences from Japan and abroad the chance to enjoy comedy without language barriers.
Bringing the Energy of Expo 2025 to Osaka’s Cultural Scene
OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL is part of the Osaka International Cultural Arts Project, an initiative designed to build on the international attention generated by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and sustain it through ongoing cultural and tourism exchanges.
The inaugural festival was held during Expo 2025. For its second edition, the festival took place in Minami, one of Osaka’s major entertainment and shopping districts, presenting three days of free street performances.
The festival sought to share Osaka’s distinctive comedy culture—traditionally represented by manzai, a form of Japanese double-act comedy, and rakugo, a traditional form of comic storytelling—with audiences around the world through physical and nonverbal comedy.
Festival Highlights and Attendance
– Total attendance: 73,658 over three days
– Street performances: Namba Square, October 10–12 (free admission)
– Theater performances: SPACE14, 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO
・CHALLENGE: October 10, with two performances
・SKIT COMEDY SHOW: October 11
– Program held in conjunction with the festival: Cirque du Soleil Casting auditions, October 7–9
Internationally Acclaimed Performers Take the Stage
Cirque du Soleil Holds Its First-Ever Clown Auditions in Japan
As part of a program held in conjunction with the festival, Cirque du Soleil Casting conducted auditions in the clown and circus act categories. This marked the first time the company had held clown auditions in Japan.
Charlie Burrows, who oversees casting for all of Cirque du Soleil’s resident shows, traveled from Las Vegas to attend the auditions and took part in the opening ceremony on the festival’s first day. Reflecting on the performers he saw in Osaka, he said, “I saw so many wonderful performers in Osaka.”
THE TOKYO IDIOTS, Featuring Britain’s Got Talent Finalist TONY
THE TOKYO IDIOTS, a comedy unit featuring TONY (Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura), WES-P and GASSY (Koikuchi Ichikawa), took to the center stage at Namba Square.
TONY reached the finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2023, while WES-P has appeared on Got Talent programs in more than 10 countries and regions. The trio have also appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the world’s largest performing arts festivals, and received the “Sea of Laughter Award” at the Busan International Comedy Festival in South Korea.
Their coordinated routines, including a segment that brought audience members onto the stage, filled Namba Square with laughter and applause.
CHALLENGE: Five-Star-Rated Nonverbal Comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
At SPACE14 on the 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO, the festival presented CHALLENGE, a nonverbal comedy production that received a five-star review during the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Written, directed and produced by Akira Ishida of the Japanese comedy duo NON STYLE, the show incorporates distinctly Japanese elements, including sword-fighting choreography and kendama, a traditional Japanese skill toy. Through facial expressions, physical movement and music, the production tells its story without relying on dialogue.
The theater welcomed many international visitors. Following the performance, audience members shared reactions such as, “I’ve never seen a show like this before” and “It was much more fun than I expected.”
GABEZ, Known for Their Tokyo 2020 Olympic Pictogram Performance, Close the Festival
Nonverbal performance duo GABEZ brought the festival’s final day to a close on the main stage. The duo are widely known for their pictogram performance at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Combining pantomime, dance and audience participation, their performance drew enthusiastic applause from spectators of all ages, including children and international tourists, through to the finale.
Akira Ishida, Festival MC and Director of CHALLENGE, Shares His Vision
Akira Ishida of NON STYLE, who served as the festival’s overall master of ceremonies and directed CHALLENGE, commented:
“We have performers here who can make people laugh without relying on words. I really hope audiences from overseas will find them funny, too!”
OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL to Continue in 2027 and Beyond
OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL is scheduled to continue in 2027 and beyond. Details of the next edition, including dates and program information, will be announced on the official website and social media channels as soon as confirmed.
Information for International Media
The festival’s international media contact team welcomes inquiries in both English and Japanese regarding:
– Media materials: Official photographs from all three days and daily highlight videos are available for news coverage of the event only. No credit line is required. Online use of video footage is limited to one video of no more than five minutes, with use permitted until December 31, 2026.
– Future coverage and interviews: Inquiries are welcome regarding coverage of the next edition and interviews with performers and event organizers.
Event Information
Event name: OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 (Part of the Osaka International Cultural Arts Project)Dates: October 10 (Saturday)–12 (Monday, national holiday), 2026Venues:
– Street performances: Namba Square, 5-1 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
– Theater performances: SPACE14, 14th floor, Shinsaibashi PARCO, 1-8-3 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Organizers: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive CommitteeCommittee members: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, and Kansai Tourism Bureau
Total attendance: 73,658
Official website: https://oc-fes.com
Official social media channels:X: @osaka_comedyfes
Instagram: @osaka_comedy_festival
Media Inquiries
International Media Desk
Osaka Cultural Arts Project Operations Secretariat
International Public Relations (APOC Co., Ltd.)
Email: pr@apocc.co.jp
Tel: +81-3-6823-8848
Office hours: Weekdays, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time (UTC+9). Email inquiries are accepted 24 hours a day.
General Inquiries and Performance Information in Japan
Osaka Cultural Arts Project Operations Secretariat
Tel: 06-7177-6938 (weekdays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. JST)
Email: info@oica-project.jp
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES
