Comedy fans are in for a treat this December! On Sunday, December 7th, Fuji Television will broadcast “Asahi Beer Smart THE MANZAI 2025 Masters,” featuring a lineup of Japan’s most beloved comedians. The show will be overseen by legendary figure Beat Takeshi and the iconic duo Ninety-Nine, continuing a celebrated tradition of comedic excellence.
The star-studded roster includes Sea Haruyasu & Tomoko, Ogiyahagi, Gakuen Soc, Kamaitachi, Gallop, Ginshari, The Bonchi, Sandwichman, Takato & Toshi, Tutorial, Two Tribes, Tenderer, Knights, Nakagawa Kei, Kin Koi, NON STYLE, Hakata Hamada & Daikichi, Bakusho Mondai, Punk Booboo, Magical Lovely, and Milk Boy – a total of 21 acts. This marks the first appearance on “THE MANZAI Masters” stage for Two Tribes.
The Bonchi’s appearance is particularly noteworthy, as it’s their first time on “Masters” – but not their first time with the show. Their last appearance on “THE MANZAI” was all the way back on December 9, 1981, during “Tuesday Wide Special THE MANZAI 9.” Having helped ignite the comedy boom of the 1980s as a key act on “THE MANZAI,” fans are eager to see what they’ll bring to the stage this time around, and what Beat Takeshi will think.
A pre-show, “THE MANZAI 2025 Pre-Masters,” aired on Fuji Television on Saturday, December 6th, featuring Oozora Mode, Oppasho Ishi, Kishitakano, Guru, Stamina Pan, Sentinel, Nanamagari, Nekonisu, Batteries, Henderson, Bean Cannon, Muneta, Ranjatai, and Linear. The winner, chosen by audience vote, will receive a coveted spot on “Masters,” and the results will be revealed during the December 7th broadcast starting at 7:00 PM.
Beat Takeshi Comments
Table of Contents
— How was this year’s “THE MANZAI”? Please share your impressions after the recording.
“The level has really gone up, it’s incredible. I think the people who are on ‘THE MANZAI’ are just on another level compared to other comedians. It’s not just about being ‘good’ anymore; it’s about being ‘funny’ or ‘silly.’ In the past, if you were told you were good, that was enough, but now that’s just a given. You need to be good, *and* silly, or cleverly calculated, or something else entirely. It’s going to be really tough for young people starting out in comedy these days.”
— You proposed the “cozy room” style of watching the performances from a kotatsu (heated table), correct?
“Yeah, this style is great, it’s so comfortable (laughs). I’m thinking next year I’ll invite Yoichi Yamada and we can sit and endlessly criticize the young comedians. Actually, I’ve had Yamada come over to my house recently, and we talk about the current generation of comedians, but we’ve both completely admitted that they’re way better than us. As far as technique goes, we can’t compete with today’s young comedians. Maybe back in the boom days, comedy was still new and exciting, and the audience’s reaction was bigger. But if you analyze each joke in detail, today’s comedy is far superior.”
— What were your thoughts on seeing The Bonchi perform again after so long?
“I just laughed, they haven’t changed at all (laughs). To be honest, when we were all working together back then, most comedians didn’t even talk to each other. It wasn’t just The Bonchi; we barely exchanged greetings. So even during ‘THE MANZAI’ back then, we made sure to avoid each other when practicing. And once the show started, we all secretly hoped everyone else would fail and not get laughs. But The Bonchi, B&B, they all killed it. The laughter was so loud it echoed into our dressing rooms. Everyone was competitive, it was a crazy time.”
Ninety-Nine Comments
— How was this year’s “THE MANZAI”?
Okamura: “It was really funny again this year.”
Yabe: “It was a blessing to be able to see live comedy right in front of us.”
— Were there any comedians who particularly stood out to you?
Okamura: “First of all, it’s definitely The Bonchi. The fact that The Bonchi, who appeared on ‘THE MANZAI’ in the 80s, are also on ‘THE MANZAI’ in 2025. As someone who grew up watching them, it feels like a dream.”
Yabe: “I just heard from the staff that The Bonchi and Two Beat also appeared in the first episode of ‘THE MANZAI’ (broadcast on April 1, 1980). They were all pioneers of the comedy boom. I think it’s an incredibly valuable video for us and for the generation just a little older than us, so I definitely want everyone to check it out.”
Okamura: “Yes. And next year, I definitely want Norio Nakagawa and Yoshio Ueda to be on the show (laughs).”
Yabe: “For me, Tutorial was particularly good. The way Tokui’s face just goes blank… it’s irresistible.”
Okamura: “I know what you mean.”
Yabe: “It’s funny how, when you listen to him, what he’s saying actually starts to sound like common sense (laughs). And then Hamada comes back from that. It’s wonderful.”
Okamura: “I also thought Kamaitachi was funny. Midway through, Hamaya starts losing it, right? That’s when it becomes impossible to look away.”
Yabe: “It’s interesting how, after listening for a while, what Yamai says starts to sound more and more reasonable. And then Hamaya comes back.”
Okamura: “Also, I can’t say too much detail, but the editors are worried about Knights. They were pulling their hair out (laughs). But Knights are Knights, and their attitude of ‘we’ve done what we can, use whatever you want’ is amazing.”
Yabe: “We’d like to see the whole thing aired, but when the actual broadcast comes out, it might be a very smart comedy show (laughs).”
Okamura: “That’s possible too, and there might even be a ‘beep’ sound for the first time in ‘THE MANZAI’ history (laughs). I think viewers should definitely look forward to it.”
“Asahi Beer Smart THE MANZAI 2025 Masters” Program Information
Broadcast Date & Time
Fuji Television System, December 7, 2025 (Sunday) 7:00 PM – 9:50 PM
Cast
Supervisory Advisor: Beat Takeshi
MC: Ninety-Nine
Host: Eiriko Komuro (Fuji Television Announcer)
Masters Performers: Sea Haruyasu & Tomoko / Ogiyahagi / Gakuen Soc / Kamaitachi / Gallop / Ginshari / The Bonchi / Sandwichman / Takato & Toshi / Tutorial / Two Tribes / Tenderer / Knights / Nakagawa Kei / Kin Koi / NON STYLE / Hakata Hamada & Daikichi / Bakusho Mondai / Punk Booboo / Magical Lovely / Milk Boy / 1 group who won Pre-Masters
“THE MANZAI 2025 Pre-Masters” Program Information
Broadcast Date & Time
Fuji Television, December 6, 2025 (Saturday) 1:35 PM – 3:30 PM
Cast
Pre-Masters Performers: Oozora Mode / Oppasho Ishi / Kishitakano / Guru / Stamina Pan / Sentinel / Nanamagari / Nekonisu / Batteries / Henderson / Bean Cannon / Muneta / Ranjatai / Linear
Hosts: Mizuki Sano and Reimi Tsumugi (both Fuji Television Announcers)
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©Fuji Television
