[Comedy] Summary of Recently Popular Bits and Gags

apparel sales clerk

[Manzai] I'm going to become an apparel shop clerk! #112

The comedy trio Party-chan is absolutely on a roll right now.

The ever-reliable Sugachan Saikou No.1, the free-spirited Nobuko, and the quick-on-the-draw Kaneko Kyonchii—they’re a perfectly balanced trio.

Their “Apparel Store Clerk” sketch is totally chaotic in the best way.

As soon as Nobuko comes out as a former apparel store clerk, Kyonchii immediately admits she used to be one too—you can’t tell where the bit ends and reality begins, and that’s exactly what makes Party-chan so funny! The early line in the sketch, “I can smell the script melting off you,” is guaranteed to bring the house down!

maiden’s heart

#3 [Idol of the Succulent World] How to Grow and Propagate Otomegokoro (Sedum pachyphyllum)

This is a buzzworthy song gag from “Ariyoshi no Kabe,” often called the number-one comedy show young comedians want to appear on.

Naturally, the performers are Gerardon’s Attack Nishimoto and Kamichii—and for some reason they both really suit the geisha cosplay! With a solemn look, Nishimoto plays the shamisen while Kamichii sings.

The song’s content? That “matching set outfits have long been a trusted fashion choice for adolescent boys.” They just keep repeating that line, but the relatable content combined with their dead-serious expressions makes you burst out laughing.

After watching this bit, you’ll find yourself wanting to say ‘setup’ every time!

Zero-calorie theory

Summary about the Zero-Calorie Theory (by Sandwichman’s Date)

A gag that originated from the hugely popular late-night show “Ame Talk!” Comedians like Kosugi from Black Mayonnaise and Date from Sandwichman were scolded for overeating, and they snapped back with the line, “If you do XX, the calories become zero, right?”—which is how the gag started.

For example: “If you eat ice cream on the Shinkansen, the calories become zero because of the train’s speed.” Also, Sandwichman appears in a Peyoung (instant yakisoba) commercial, and Date’s line, “When you drain the hot water from Peyoung, the calories get washed away too, right?” is absolutely the best!

It’s a class reunion.

[Divine Song] Oji-Oji 👴 It’s a class reunion, huh [Ariyoshi’s Wall] [Shisonnu]

On the variety show Ariyoshi no Kabe, popular comedians take on serious song-based sketches.

Each act has its own flavor, but the one I’ll introduce here is a song by the duo Sisonne called “It’s a Class Reunion.” Sung over a sound reminiscent of PRINCESS PRINCESS’s classic “Diamonds,” it tells a grandfather’s class reunion story.

He meets his classmates for the first time in 60 years, yet the moment he sees their faces, their names come right back to him.

It’s a slightly moving turn—“Some things don’t change, even with time”—but the punchline is that he’s the only one whose name no one remembers, which is kind of tear-jerking.

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Araki Jakkan

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Heave-ho, heave-ho

[OP greeting] When Kamaitachi came up with a greeting, it led to an outrageous result.

The manzai duo Kamaitachi, who have nearly 20 regular TV shows, do a bit called “Dosukoi Dosukoi” that’s really funny.

It started as a project to decide the opening for their official YouTube channel, the Kamaitachi Channel.

They add movements to sounds like clapping, “byo~n,” and “saaaan,” and when the dosukoi music plays, the two of them get into it, imitate a sumo wrestler’s thrusting, and laugh.

They look like they’re having so much fun that you can’t help but smile along.

It’s more of a nonsensical kind of humor, but it’ll definitely lift your spirits! Highly recommended for anyone who wants a good laugh!

Let’s absolutely make it a success.

[YONEDA 2000] M-1 Grand Prix 2022 Final Routine: 'Mochitsuki (Rice Cake Pounding)'

Yoneda 2000 is a popular female manzai duo formed in 2020.

Despite their relatively short career, they’re already considered top among the younger generation.

In the M-1 Grand Prix 2022, their line “We’re absolutely going to make this a success,” delivered during their bit “Let’s pound mochi in England!”, started catching on like a gag.

The surreal humor of English people pounding mochi and declaring their determination in broken Japanese had audiences in stitches.

Although they narrowly finished 5th in that year’s M-1, their talent is unquestionable, with accolades like runner-up in THE W 2022 (the No.1 female comedian competition) and the Newcomer Award at the 2023 Kamigata Manzai Association Awards.

With the contrasting duo of the larger Ai and the more petite Makoto, you won’t want to take your eyes off their future success!

Right!/I suppose so!/Probably!/Isn’t it!/It will, right!

[Mountain Revival Project II #28] Reviving a wasabi farm that had been buried for two years!

The manzai duo Q, from the Titan talent agency, has a hilarious routine called “It Must Be ○○!” Here’s how it goes: the funny man, Nibiro, claims two completely unrelated things have something in common and names them—like “the Grim Reaper and pizza.” Then the straight man, Makoto Shimizu, replies with a subtle shared trait: “They both use a scythe spatula!!” It’s both funny and impressively well-crafted.

Another key to the laughs is Shimizu’s dead-serious expression when he delivers “It Must Be ○○!” Also, keep an eye on his sharply pointed finger!