It was revealed on February 4th that Nippon Television and Yomiuri Television will be starting a new comedy award race, "Double Impact: The Battle to Decide the Best Two-Sword Style Manzai and Conte." As the name suggests, the competition will judge both manzai and conte material to determine the true "two-sword style comedian," with the finals set to air this summer.
The M-1 Grand Prix is a competition to decide the best manzai comedians, and the King of Conte is a competition to decide the king of comedy, but this is an unusual competition that tests the performance of both. The winner will receive a prize of 10 million yen.
Participants must be at least two people, regardless of whether they are professional or amateur, and there is no restriction on the length of their career. Participation as a unit is also permitted. Judging will be done on both manzai and sketch comedy, and the first round of the preliminary round is scheduled to take place in April. Applications will be accepted through the entry form on the official website, with the deadline being 11:59 p.m. on March 23rd.
◇Comment from Hiroki Miyamori, General Director of Nippon Television's Content Production Department
In recent years, the number of comedians who can do both manzai and comedy sketches has been increasing. I think this is due to the influence of national award competitions such as the "M-1 Grand Prix" and "King of Conte" and the adventurous spirit of comedians. Now more than ever, I want to show talent that goes beyond conventional wisdom, just like Otani crossed the ocean with two swords. I want to see new laughs and drama that can only be born from fighting with two completely different swords, "manzai" and "comedy sketches." With this in mind, I will work on this project with all my heart and soul.
◇Comment from Ichiro Goda, Producer, Nippon Television Network Corporation Content Production Division
I think that the "King of Manzai" is decided in the "M-1" and the "King of Conte" is decided in the "King of Conte" when it comes to the award races that come to mind. What kind of interesting material will we see every year? What new comedians will we meet? And who will win? I always watch with excitement. While paying respect to such a great competition, I don't think there has actually been a national competition that does both manzai and conte. So, I would like to see a two-sword champion who has mastered both! I would like to see the moment when a new star is born! I would like to approach this competition with such a pure feeling. It may be a reckless attempt. You may say that I am neither. But Shohei Otani has done a manga-like two-sword style right in front of our eyes! It is by no means broad and shallow, but I think there is a secret that comes from having mastered both the worlds of pitcher and fielder. I am sure that a new star will emerge who will shine because it is a two-sword competition. Please look forward to the comedy summit battle, Summer Battle, which starts this year!
◇Comment from Daisuke Nakata, Producer, Yomiuri TV Production Division
We at Yomiuri TV have been seriously involved with Kamigata manzai for over half a century, from the old "Comedy Network", "Kamigata Comedy Awards", and "ZAIMAN", to the current "Manzai Lovers" and "ytv Manzai Newcomer Awards", and have been bringing laughter to the living rooms of the Kansai region. The comedy-loving group at Yomiuri TV has teamed up with the comedy-loving group at Nippon TV to think up and realize "the new award race that we most want to see right now". Will the winner be a comedian who regularly performs both manzai and comedy sketches? Or will it be a manzai or comedy sketch master who unleashes a new talent? It's impossible to imagine. Come witness with us the moment when a new star in the comedy world is born!
◇Comment from Ryo Nakayashiki, Director of the Yomiuri TV Production Department
Comedians who are funny in both "manzai" and "sketches" are among the biggest stars in the history of comedy. It's great to master one thing, but I think the incredible ability to "be able to do both" - that "strength" as a comedian - is a talent that should be more highly esteemed. In order to face these "two-sword style comedians" with such rare talent, Nippon Television and Yomiuri Television will also be putting all their effort into bringing together the swords they have been sharpening for many years on their respective programs.
