The finals of the M-1 Grand Prix 2025 (ABC TV/TV Asahi affiliate), a contest to determine the best manzai comedian in Japan, were broadcast live on TV Asahi (Minato Ward, Tokyo) on December 21st, and the comedy duo Takuro was crowned the 21st champion. Coming out on top of a record 11,521 entries, they received a prize of 10 million yen.
Takuro (Yoshimoto Kogyo) was formed in 2016 by the comedy duo of comedian Yutaka Akagi and straight man Kimura Band. They came second in the 8th YTV Manzai Newcomer Awards in 2019 and the 54th NHK Kamigata Manzai Contest in 2024. This was their first time reaching the finals of the M-1 Grand Prix, marking a remarkable achievement.
The nine groups that advanced to the finals were "Shinkuu Jessica", who has made it to the finals for five consecutive years, "Yarens", who has made it to the finals for three consecutive years, "Evers", who came in fourth last year, "Mama Tart", who came in tenth last year, and "Gokai Captain", "Maison", "Takurou", and "Dondécolleté", who were former finalists in "Yoneda 2000" and made their first final appearance in three years. In addition, "Kaname Stone", who won the losers' bracket, also made it to the finals.
In the first round, Evers (870 points) advanced in 1st place, Takurou (861 points) in 2nd place, and Don Dekorte (845 points) in 3rd place. In a surprising turn of events, talented competitors Shinku Jessica and Yarens were eliminated by just one point each.
In the final round of the "Fateful Second Material" segment, Dondecollete, Evers, and Takurou performed their material in that order. As a result, Takurou received 8 out of 9 votes from the judges, deciding the winner.
The judges consisted of nine people, just like last year: Kaihara Tomoko (Kaihara Yasuyo & Tomoko), Goto Teruki (Football Hour), Komaba Takashi (Milk Boy), Shibata Eiji (Untouchable), Tetsuo (Warai-Ichi), Hakata Daikichi (Hakata Hanamaru & Daikichi), Hanawa Nobuyuki (Knights), Yamauchi Kenji (Kamaitachi), and Reiji (Nakagawa-ke).
