MANGA REVIEW | "Show-ha Shoten!" - Volume Eight
It takes time for an audience to warm up to a comedian. But if you’ve already got a good reputation, the crowd can latch onto them almost in an instant. The duo of Sprechchor already has a following that has made them almost household names in the manzai world, but they’ve yet to make a big win at the Wara-1 Koshien. But in the eighth volume of Show-ha Shoten!, the time for that victory may be upon them.
Brutus finishes up their routine, with Broken Glass Slipper watching from the leaders’ box. The final score is close, with the Brutus duo walking away feeling defeated. But there’s tension in the back room, as almost every other manzai comedy team has a bone to pick with Passionate Sandbag, who have the worst attitudes around. However, even with the mixture of tension and energy, the focus to win is on everyone’s minds.
The three-person manzai team Mega Beef Bowl XL goes on next, and their style of comedy is a little odd. With that being said, they get the audience laughing, be it with their human pyramid or their first date stories. However, it’s the judges that matter the most, and it’s clear that this style of comedy isn’t as strong as the others. A shame, as the sort of humor Mega Beef Bowl XL is capable of doing has a place in the manzai world.
Sprechchor worries whether or not Mega Beef Bowl XL’s reaction will result in the crowd starting off cool for them. Those worries vanish when the duo come in hot, throwing out joke after joke with such rapid fire. The trick for them is to switch the straight man/funny guy roles whenever the time calls for it. However, what makes Sprechchor magic is the way they switch, as the crowd (and even the judges) don’t even realize when it happens.
That talent is what makes Sprechchor the most admirable team in the locker room. The work and dedication to their craft have placed them on a long and harrowing journey towards the top. Although the judges’ results may leave some frustrated, one can’t be mad when they see just how good at comedy Sprechchor are. It’s why they’re seen as the top-tier rival in Show-ha Shoten!, rather than the villain. (Passionate Sandbax, on the other hand, is a different story.)
A back story behind Rising’s founding sees the difference in comedy between Bunta and Atsushi. Where Atsushi goes in-your-face with the daily school jokes, Bunta is more subtle with his humor. It’s an aspect that many of his classmates seem to miss, and unlike everyone else, Atsushi is truly impressed with his style of comedy. While he starts off hating the guy, that antagonization transforms into admiration, and it’s easy to see why Bunta was the perfect choice to be Atsushi’s partner.
There are laughs a-plenty in the eighth volume of Show-ha Shoten!, but also plenty of disappointment too. Reading through this volume serves as a lesson on what makes the perfect comedic duo. While Western stand-up comedy is more of a solo gig these days, looking through and seeing this style of humor showcases the power a duo can handle. Even if it takes a bit to warm up the crowd, so long as you have them rolling in the aisles by the end, that’s what’s most important. And to many in the world of Show-ha Shoten!, the joy that they bring to the audience is the true payoff.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
