The ambition of “KAIKI! Yes-DONGURI-RPG” which became the central figure of the M-1

(This article was originally published on FRIDAY before the announcement of the M-1 semi-finalists. (This article was published in FRIDAY magazine before the announcement of the M-1 semifinalists, so please read it with enthusiasm for next year.)

Of course the goal is to win!　I want to win and break the concept of manzai.

That’s what Satsumakawa RPG (30, photo on the right) of the hot comedy trio “Yes Donguri RPG” says. Yes! Akito (31, photo on the left) and Donguri Takeshi (29) were invited by pin comedian Satumakawa to join him, and in August of 2006, this unique unit was born, transcending the boundaries of their offices and all being one-shot gag comedians.

They are now making great strides in the “M-1 Grand Prix. Why do these gaggers challenge the competition to determine the top of the gabbering world? We caught up with them as they await the announcement of the quarterfinal results.

Satsu Makawa (Satsu): “M-1 has been our goal since we formed the trio. In fact, that’s why we approached the two of you about becoming a unit.”

Donguri: “It was an instant decision when they asked us. I was just in a light-hearted mood and said, ‘Sure! To tell you the truth, Akito had asked me if I wanted to participate in M-1 a few months before I was invited by Satsumakawa. But when I talked to the office, they suggested, “Why don’t you team up within the office if possible? He suggested, “Why don’t we team up within the office as much as possible? Then Satsumakawa invited the two of us. And they were really persistent (laughs).

Akito (Aki): “I’m the only one from a different office, but they talked to the office on my behalf. I was really impressed by his enthusiasm.

In their fourth appearance in the competition, the three of them made it through the long hurdle of the third round and advanced to the quarterfinals. There was a reason behind this.

Satsu: “When I was on Heisei Nobushi Kobushi’s radio show this summer, Tokui (Kenta, 41) said to me, ‘I think you’re satisfied with being a part of this competition and being a story about a different trio.

Don: “He said, ‘There is a difference in the way of life 10 years from now between those who are 100% serious about winning and those who are not. That’s why you should really aim for it. Of course, I was aiming for the championship before that, but these words made me pull myself together again.

Satsu: “Also, I didn’t have time to get nervous because I had a lot of trouble from the first round.

Aki: “We didn’t notice it at all, and were just going along with it, thinking, ‘This is so funny! We didn’t notice it at all, but we were so excited that we thought it was really funny.

The style of “Weird!” is to perform a series of one-shot gags while mumbling “Player change, player change ……” while changing positions. style. How do they create their material?

Don: “All three of us are also active on our own. We don’t have anyone in charge of stories, but rather we all make gags for each other and then expand on them.

Satsu: “Donguri have a genius for nuances in word sense!　”Donguri are genius in the nuances of word sense!　There’s a story with the decisive line, “Mussels steamed in sake… No, if I steamed them in sake, I’d get drunk…” “Samantha, what do you think is in the mussels? This was originally Donguri’s idea for a story. We usually get together twice a week at a live studio in Shimokitazawa to work out our material.

Finally, I asked them what they thought about the “manzai controversy” that arose last year when they won the “Magical Lovely” championship.

Satsu: “I think it’s a good trend. I think it’s a good trend. Since Madicalabury was forgiven, we might be forgiven too (laughs).

Don “To begin with, though, ours is manzai…”

Aki: “I’d like you to tell that to the people who are doing weird things. We’re serious about our manzai! (laughs)”

The challenge of this unique trio continues.

From the December 3, 2021 issue of FRIDAY