Ryoff Karma

Ryoff Karma
呂布カルマ
Ryoff Karma performing at Sasa Folk Jamboree 2021
Background information
Born
Yuya Mishima

(1983-01-07) January 7, 1983
OriginJapan
Genres
OccupationRapper
LabelJet City People

Ryoff Karma (呂布カルマ; born January 7, 1983) is a Japanese rapper known for performing in MC battles and televised competitions. He has also worked as a cultural critic, actor, and voice actor.[1]

Early life

Ryoff Karma was born in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, in 1983 and spent much of his childhood in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka.[2] His family moved to Nagoya during his junior high school years. After graduating, he worked various jobs, including positions at a karaoke chain, a pest control company, and later as a pharmaceutical delivery worker and cram school manager.[3]

Rap career

Ryoff Karma began performing in clubs and gradually focused on live rap performances. He has composed and performed music for commercial campaigns for brands such as Yanmar and Central Japan Railway Company, as well as public campaigns by Ad Council Japan.[4][5][6] He has also worked on projects for local governments and awareness campaigns.[7]

He has collaborated with Japanese rappers DJ Krush, Hannya (般若), Shinpeita, Gaki Ranger (餓鬼RANGER), Kan a.k.a. GAMI, and DOTAMA.[8]

Ryoff Karma has also collaborated with artists outside of hip-hop, including the rock band ANABANTFULLS in 2023.[9] In 2024, he collaborated with idol group LINKL PLANET.[10]

Television

Ryoff Karma became a television personality in 2023, appearing 156 times and ranking 8th in the "Breakout Talents of 2023" list.[11] He has appeared in televised debates and hosted radio shows discussing cultural topics.[12][13]

Reception

Japanese rappers such as R-Shitei, Shinpeita, and FORK have praised Ryoff Karma's rhyming and style.[14][15]

Musical style

Ryoff Karma's early work aligned with Japanese hip-hop conventions; later, he focused on social commentary, satire, and philosophical themes.[16]

Personal life

Ryoff Karma graduated from Nagoya University of Arts in 2005.[17] He is married with two children.[18]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes Reference
2017–2019 Freestyle Dungeon Monster [19]
2021 Red Eyes: Surveillance Investigation Team Shigeo Minatogawa Episode 3 [20]
2022–present Wide Show Himself [21]
2022–present Sidewalk/Driveway Variety: Encounter with the Road Himself Segment: "Want to Fall for Ryoff Karma on the Night Streets of Nagoya" [22]
2022–present GogoSuma – GO GO! Smile! Himself [23]

Film

Year Title Role Notes Reference
2022 The Alien Painter – – [24]
2023 Wolf of the Blood 2 – – [25]

Radio

Year Title Station Role Reference
2021–present Ryoff Karma's Rap Hour FM Nagoya Host [26]
2022–present Scholar Meals Audible Japan Host [13]

References

  1. ^ "Ryoff Karma Interview: "There Are No Taboos in My Lyrics"". Good Book Good Day. Asahi Shimbun Publishing. 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  2. ^ "Ryofu Karma: An unpopular underachiever at school who was fired from companies, yet says he 'never felt any inferiority'". 婦人公論.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  3. ^ "Ryofu Karma quits his day job at 33 after working as a manga artist, company employee, and cram school manager". 婦人公論.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  4. ^ "Ryoff Karma Interview: "There Are No Taboos in My Lyrics"". Good Book Good Day. Asahi Shimbun Publishing. 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  5. ^ "Ryoff Karma × Yanmar Construction Equipment: New collaboration track focuses on the theme of "challenge"". Kensetsutsushin Shimbun. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  6. ^ "Ryoff Karma collaborates with JR Central on radio ad music". Chunichi BIZ Navi. 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  7. ^ "Rapper Ryoff Karma calls for safe driving through rap". CBC News. 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  8. ^ "Legendary DJ KRUSH commemorates 30 years with a nationwide tour featuring Ryoff Karma". LIVERARY. 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  9. ^ "ANABANTFULLS releases 'Gure' MV featuring Ryoff Karma". skream!. 2023-03-07. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  10. ^ "Performance Video: LINKL PLANET feat. Ryoff Karma 'On the Earth'". LINKL PLANET Official Channel. 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  11. ^ "Akira Kawashima becomes the first annual champion! Breakout star is Aika Kanda! ～ Nihon Monitor 2023 Talent <Kanto/Kansai> Program Appearance Ranking ～". Nihon Monitor. 2023-12-06.
  12. ^ "Ryoff Karma, the No. 1 breakout candidate for the first half of 2023: "His unique character is a big appeal". Nikkan Cyzo. Cyzo Inc. 2023-01-05. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  13. ^ a b "Scholar Meals". Audible. Audible, Inc. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  14. ^ "DJ Matsunaga Reflects on Meeting Ryoff Karma: "Going to the Club in Sandals and DJing Barefoot"". Creepy Nuts' All Night Nippon 0 (Broadcast on December 14). Nippon Broadcasting. 2021-12-21.
  15. ^ "Ryoff Karma VS Shinpeita: Philosophical debate on rap styles". ABEMA TIMES. 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  16. ^ Karma, Ryoff (June 12, 2023). ブレん人 [The Man Who Doesn't Waver] (in Japanese). Cosmic Publishing. ISBN 978-4774792873.
  17. ^ "Ryoff Karma". NUA-OB/OG. Nagoya University of Arts. 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  18. ^ "Ryoff Karma: Manga Artist, Company Employee, Class Manager, then Quit at 33 to Focus on Rap". Fujin Koron.jp. 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  19. ^ "Next villain is Ryoff Karma! Playing a violent husband". Music Natalie. 2021-01-31.
  20. ^ "Next villain is Ryoff Karma! Playing a violent husband". Music Natalie. 2021-01-31.
  21. ^ "Wide Show appearance". TV Nagoya. 2022-01-01.
  22. ^ "Rofu Karma watches over the gravure idol's drive". Music Natalie. 2022-09-29.
  23. ^ "Rofu Karma blasts Prime Minister Kishida". Tokyo Sports. 2022-10-25.
  24. ^ "Neo-SF suspense film "The Alien Painter" starring Ryoff Karma". Eiga.com. 2022-05-13.
  25. ^ "Wolf of the Blood 2 featuring Ryoff Karma". Cinema Today. 2023-06-15.
  26. ^ "Ryoff Karma starts radio show on FM Nagoya". Chunichi Sports. 2021-09-01.

Further reading

  • Ryoff Karma『The Man who doesn't waver(ブレん人)』2023.Cosmic Publishing ISBN 978-4774792873
  • 『Ryoff Karma 1st Photobook』2023.One Publishing ISBN 978-4651204123
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