MANGA REVIEW | "Show-ha Shoten!" - Volume Five
The more I read Show-ha Shoten!, the more I feel like it’s becoming the definitive guide to comedy. Although manzai comedy is not known as well outside of Japan, it still has the DNA of most stand-up comedy. You have to know what works for material, what kind of audience you’ll have, and — the most important thing of all — how to execute a good punchline. Volume Five dives deep into this aspect not with One-Way Ticket to the Top, but also a few other manzai performers.
Azemichi and Taiyo experience something for the first time: being the opening act of a competition. While their bit about crowded trains hits all of the right marks, being the act that warms up the crowd can be somewhat costly. On top of that, it makes them harder to be remembered when it comes time to tally up the votes. But even though this manga is about One-Way Ticket to the Top, this particular moment is all about Broken Glass Slipper.
On top of their unique and hilarious performance, readers dive deep into their origin story. As a two-woman manzai team, the odds are already stacked against them. After all, comedy is still a man-dominated world. However, it’s because of their gumption, their repertoire, and their absolute brilliance that make Broken Glass Slipper an act that is legit hard to follow. (It brings to mind real-life female Japanese manzai duo Ichiban Kawaii, whose style of comedy is both unique and refreshing.)
As such, One-Way Ticket to the Top is handed a big loss. But it’s not a sad loss; they did lose to a formidable opponent, after all. They also have some alone time with the host of the event, whose sage advice has sent many a manzai duo to the top of the comedy peak. There’s also a meeting of the minds between One-Way, Broken Glass Slipper, and Shiba Inu World Tour, where Azemichi and Taiyo attempt to figure out what they’re missing.
And it’s in this moment where Show-ha Shoten! gets into the real meat of things. As readers know, One-Way Ticket to the Top has well over a dozen of bits memorized, and chooses what they think is the right one before they hit the stage. But there’s a saying: quality over quantity, and it’s something that our manzai heroes need to keep in mind if they really want to be the best in their field. The moment for that greatness comes not at a competition, but at a pre-game television event.
Here, a pair of real antagonists finally arrive: Passionate Sandbag. They’re the kind of comedy duo that most others in their field would despise. Not only were they the good-looking and popular ones at school, they’re also very funny. But things get far too personal during a Q&A section of the show, as one member of the duo tells a sickening story about a woman. The worst part: it's about the very woman that pushed Azemichi to the world of manzai in the first place!
This situation reminds me of something comedy legend John Cleese told me at a Q&A event: “So long as it’s not nasty, anything can be funny.” And what comes out of Passionate Sandbag’s mouths about the woman of Azemichi’s dreams absolutely breaks that rule. It’s vile, disgusting, and as unfunny as it can possibly get. On top of that, it affects the kid mentally. However, even though it bugs Azemichi, it adds fuel into the fire of competition. Now he and Taiyo have to win no matter what!
At first, Azemichi has some trouble with presenting his answers to the quiz part of the show. That’s when a heart-to-heart with one of the hosts — who figures out Azemichi’s identity — breaks down what he’s doing wrong, and how to go about fixing it. And in a flash, Azemichi not only delivers his answers funnier; he also becomes a much stronger partner to Taiyo. In front of live cameras, One-Way Ticket to the Top evolves their style and game in-between commercial breaks.
Honestly, this is where Show-ha Shoten! becomes a game-changer for manga. Aspiring comedians owe it to themselves to start reading this series, as it offers fantastic tips on how to present their style of humor. On top of that, Volume Five delivers as much excitement as a fighting manga series. If you wish to become the next Ali Wong or even Abbot & Costello, then you owe it to yourself to start reading Show-ha Shoten!, and learn about the science and strategy that goes into being one hell of a funny person!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
