5 Popular New Comedians Taking Over Japan
I love Japanese comedy. Let me change that: I love good Japanese comedy. A lot of foreigners studying Japanese don’t see it my way, but that’s because there’s a lot of garbage out there. To be fair though, there is a lot of garbage in any country’s entertainment industry. Finding what’s both good and what you personally enjoy is key.
Let’s take a look at some of the new up-and-comers in Japan over the past year, good and bad.
5. アキラ100%
Type of comedy
Carrying a metal tray in front of his body, covering up his private areas, and making jokes that play on the fact that he is almost naked.
Thoughts
It’s a bit of a spectacle to see it the first time. After that, it gets old quickly.
4. サンシャイン池崎
Type of comedy
Lots of screaming and energy. Then more screaming. Then even more screaming.
Thoughts
This is the type of Japanese comedy that I could never ever get into. Once you start screaming, the comedy goes out the window in my book. Screaming is a bad trend a lot of comedians use lately. It brings energy and riles up the audience, but that’s about it.
3. おばたのお兄さん
Type of comedy
Oguri Shun (famous Japanese actor) impersonator.
Thoughts
Oguri Shun is awesome. If you are a fan of Oguri Shun (specifically his role in Hana Yori Dango), then he’s a lot of fun. If you don’t know Oguri Shun, this will go way over your head.
2. ブルゾンちえみ With “B”
Type of Comedy
Short skits with 2 backup dancers (?), with clever lines, rhythm, and comedic timing.
Thoughts
She’s everywhere. Her line “35億 あと5千万人” is probably one of the most popular one- liners of the year. I find that she brings a smile. This isn’t laugh hard material, but more of something to cheer you up.
1. みやぞん
Type of Comedy
Natural goofy and silly guy who appears all over variety shows with his unique way of having a conversation.
Thoughts
Let me start by saying I really like みやぞん. The way he thinks and acts is just so weird, I love it. He’s also an extremely talented guy. He can apparently play any song on the piano or guitar just by hearing it.
New Japanese comedians funny?
What do you think of the new big Japanese comedian stars? Any other ones you feel belong here on the list?
Founder of Jalup. iOS Software Engineer. Former attorney, translator, and interpreter. Still watching 月曜から夜ふかし weekly since 2013.
I wish I could understand the comedy. I’m not there just yet. Here to hoping I get there one day!!
You’ll get there and will be laughing in no time.
How does one find Japanese comedy? YouTube?
DVDs/Blu-ray, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, etc.
Oh man why there is no downtown in this list, they are in pinnacle of japanese comedy :(
While they are definitely great, they aren’t exactly new comedians :)
To understand Japanese comedy one needs only to revisit the days of Vaudevillian comedy with its one liners, shtick, and Tom foolery!