Rising Stars: Meet Kenshin Amagi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenshin Amagi.

Hi Kenshin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
I was born on August 31, 2001, in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Shortly after birth, at the age of 2, due to my parents’ work, our family moved to the United States. By the time I was old enough to understand, I was already in America, so I have a sense of being born here. Growing up in San Gabriel, I attended both an English kindergarten and a Japanese kindergarten. That is, as per my mother’s wishes, to learn both languages, which I really appreciate even today because I am fluent in both English and Japanese. And it was at the Japanese kindergarten that I first encountered magic. The principal of the kindergarten would always perform magic tricks for the children at the end of the day, and I remember sitting on the floor, watching with delight. I became increasingly fascinated by the principal’s magic tricks, and eventually, I began to aspire to perform magic myself. 

At the age of 5, my parents bought me my first magic kit, a Deluxe Set from the long-standing company FANTASMA. I remember spending hours every day playing with that kit after school. By then, YouTube was already popular, so I studied magic by watching videos. 

For about two years, from the summer after finishing first grade to just before starting fourth grade, I returned to Japan due to visa reasons. But even in Japan, I remember showcasing my newly learned magic tricks to my school friends and at class presentations as well. I am pretty sure everyone was annoyed towards the end. 

By the time I got back from Japan at the age of 10, I was already a magic nerd. Carrying at least three decks of cards with me everywhere I go, my backpack was always heavy. My mother, who was always aware of my hobby and interest, as my birthday gift she introduced me to a private magic class by a local magician. That’s when I committed myself to continue doing magic for life. 

After few years, on March 2017, I finally became a member of the Magic Castle. Since becoming a member, my involvement in the magic community has expanded, allowing me to travel to various places around the world, make friends across borders, and meet renowned magicians like Shoot Ogawa, whom I’ve been grateful to since then. Thanks to him, I’ve traveled to countries such as Korea, Canada, the UK, and Hawaii. I’d like to briefly introduce those experiences. 

Between 2019 and 2021, I participated in numerous local and international Magic Competitions. The first ever Magic Competition I attended was held in Saint Louis, Missouri, called the Midwest Magic Jubilee, and I was able to win First Place at their Close-up Competition. Soon after, due to the pandemic, online magic competitions were prevalent at the time, but I also competed in person at the “Japan National Championship of Magic” after temporarily returning to Japan. There, I was honored to receive the title of Second Place and an Audience Award at the age of 19. 

In 2022, I was part of a charity event in Burbank, bringing in over $20K. Which lead to my appearance on Season 9 of Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us” TV show. I teamed up with my friend Connor McDonald and presented a piece paying homage/respect to the two renowned magicians. In addition to magic, I’m also a children’s book author. In 2022, I published a book titled “The Memory Drawer” with a Japanese publishing company called Bungeisha. Even now, the book is available for purchase at bookstores and online stores across Japan and is stocked in schools and libraries. 

In my mind, I’m always seeking new challenges every year, but 2023 was particularly noteworthy. I spent a year in Oahu, Hawaii, undergoing an apprenticeship. During the pandemic, my future boss, Jonathan Todd, a businessman, launched a new magic show called the “Magical Mystery Show” at the Hilton Hotel in the heart of Waikiki. I was hired as the youngest performer and manager for a year. 

As of 2024, I’m currently studying theater at CSUF while balancing academics and work, always exploring new and interesting avenues. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say it has been a smooth road when it comes to magic and my career. This is thanks to all the people around me who have supported and believed in me, especially my parents, who are super supportive and have almost never told me what to do. They were always kind enough to let me explore and figure things out my own way. 

In one word, I am the kind of person who gets bored really easily. I am always looking for new changes and challenges. This is sometimes very difficult when actually faced, but these are the times I really feel like I am alive and striving for something. So, any challenges or obstacles, I consider them as chances and options for me to grow or stay. 

I would say the only struggles I can think of might be the balancing between work and school. In reality, I actually took a gap year last year when I was in Hawaii. Of course, I don’t regret taking a break from school and dedicating myself to work, but it was a little annoying for me to think about school. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I consider myself to be a “creative individual” or at least strive to be different from others. When it comes to being creative as an artist, the most important thing, in my opinion, is that we are free. Especially when it comes to being a magician, imagination is often underestimated. With numerous magic shops available where anyone can purchase tricks, there’s a tendency for some to rely solely on store-bought items, neglecting their own creative potential. When I see this, I can’t help but feel it’s a missed opportunity. 

Magic should be about making the impossible possible, about being versatile. Yet, not expressing oneself through it seems like a waste. 

When my friends and I organized a charity event in Burbank, we each brought different strengths to the table, assigning different roles when putting together the show. In most cases, my role involves generating ideas and being creative. When faced with obstacles, I often come up with unconventional ideas and solutions, sometimes creating magic using tools or methods never seen before. 

I take pride in being creative, as it means continually challenging myself. 

What does success mean to you?
In my definition, “success” means “never satisfied.” 

This is because I don’t want to set goals or limitations for myself. Perhaps this is denying my own potential. Of course, I have an ideal position and future image in mind, but that’s just the form, not the essence. I believe this comes from a mental perspective. If one becomes satisfied with everything, it breeds laziness within oneself, affirming that there will be no further joy or satisfaction. However, if one constantly remains unsatisfied, possessing what may seem like arrogant spirit, perhaps they can embark on an exciting journey to seek enjoyment and pleasure until the very end. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kenshinamagi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenshin_amagi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shinnosuke.mizutamari
• Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/kenshinamagi
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KenshinAmagi
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@connorandkenshinmagic

Image Credits
Penn & Teller
Connor McDonald
Nobuyuki Nojima
MK
Masashi Noshita
Kenshin Amagi