The Editorial Department Speaks! The Appeal of Tokyo 03 as Seen Through Their Solo Performance 'Yorisotte Warikutte'
The comedy trio Tokyo 03.
As the 2009 King of Conte champions, they possess undeniable talent. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, they held a remote solo performance titled 'Hedatteru ne.' (We're Distanced, Aren't We.), and many were deeply moved by their love for comedy.
Furthermore, they have been enjoying spectacular success, including a performance at the Nippon Budokan this March to mark their 20th anniversary and receiving the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists.
All three members are also active as actors, and member Akihiro Kakuta has appeared in commercials for the SKY PerfecTV! Basic Plan.
Staff members who were present at the shoot commented: 'His reaction in the surprised scene was natural and funny! I was moved watching Mr. Kakuta's acting in person,' 'He had such a wide variety of expressions when shooting the banners that I wanted to see his expressions during the skits in person too,' and 'There is a scene where he eats udon, and his realistic acting made him eat so much that I grew to like him even more.'
▽ CM featuring Tokyo 03's Mr. Kakuta
Mr. Kakuta captivated the staff in the short time it took to shoot the commercial. He will be touring the country this summer for their solo performance.
You simply have to see Mr. Kakuta and Tokyo 03 in their skits!
So, this time, editorial staff member Yama will introduce the appeal of Tokyo 03 as felt after watching their 25th solo performance, 'Yorisotte Warikutte' (Snuggling Up and Getting the Short End of the Stick).
Report on watching Tokyo 03's solo performance 'Yorisotte Warikutte'
Tokyo 03 is said to be the comedy duo (trio) whose tickets are the hardest to get.
Unable to get tickets for the Tokyo performance, I headed to the JMS Aster Plaza Large Hall in Hiroshima.
You can tell who is who, right?
The hall, which can accommodate about 1,200 people, was nearly full, showing their popularity.
In front of the venue, merchandise created to commemorate 'Yorisotte Warikutte' and Blu-rays/DVDs of past performances were on sale, and there was a long line for the goods.
The venue was bustling with fans of all generations, including couples who brought their junior high and high school children while wearing the concert T-shirts, guys talking about the previous solo performance, and high school girls who seemed to have come straight from school.
When the performance began, the members' names were introduced on screen along with a lighthearted melody, and the audience was instantly drawn into the production on stage.
Once the member introductions were over, it was straight into the skits.
Before I knew it, the approximately two-hour solo performance was over, having laughed at seven new skits and the videos shown during the intermissions.
During the final talk, there was even a moment where they interacted with the audience about Hiroshima specialties, and the venue was wrapped in a gentle warmth from start to finish.
And after the performance, the three who had made about 1,200 people laugh bowed deeply.
If there were a Hall of Fame for the coolest bows, they would be in it; that is how glorious their bow was.
Furthermore, audience members who purchased merchandise could participate in a 'send-off' at the end. The three of them looked into our eyes and sent us off with big smiles. It was a solo performance where you could feel the love between the members and the fans, and you are guaranteed to fall in love with Tokyo 03 if you go.
Mr. Kakuta, thank you again for appearing in the commercial!
Now, from here on, I will introduce three aspects of Tokyo 03's appeal that I felt through their solo performance.
Tokyo 03's Appeal #1: Too realistic! The ultimate skits with a high degree of perfection by three master actors
First of all, isn't the high degree of perfection of their skits the main appeal of Tokyo 03?
I love comedy and watch a lot of skits, but Tokyo 03's skits are, above all, highly polished.
Perhaps this high level of perfection is created by the three of them playing exaggerated characters in scenes that are realistic and relatable, yet also a bit uncool and embarrassing.
When there is an uncool and quirky character in a business or drinking party scene, the audience thinks, 'This happens, doesn't it? (laughs)' or 'Maybe there's a senior like this!' and gets drawn into the setting. Eventually, along with the straight man character, the audience starts to anticipate the next action of the funny man. The 'timing' of watching while anticipating is fun, and during the pause before the punchline, giggles would emerge from the venue.
What brings these realistic settings to life are the characters of the three members. Iizuka-san, the straight man who creates the timing for the audience to empathize before launching into a rapid-fire retort; Kakuta-san, the hopelessly uncool and quirky funny man; and Toyomoto-san, who nonchalantly inserts small jokes and retorts as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
In addition to Kakuta-san, whose realistic acting shone in commercials, Iizuka-san and Toyomoto-san are also talented actors who are active in the field. Through their charming performances, the emotional temperature of each individual is clearly expressed.
For example, in the skit 'Accumulation,' small frustrations pile up, and Iizuka-san's dissatisfaction explodes at a certain trigger during a takoyaki party. At first, the audience laughs in empathy with Iizuka-san, but his level of rage is extraordinary, and the contrast with Kakuta-san and Toyomoto-san trying to calm him down is also funny, inviting further laughter.
Through the different emotional temperatures of the three, common scenes lead to unexpected punchlines. It is the ultimate skit that can only be created because it is the three members of Tokyo 03.
Tokyo 03's Appeal ② A Solo Performance That Captivates with a Stunning Structure Like a God-Tier Movie?
The next appeal is, quite simply, a solo performance that feels like a movie. I intentionally separated this from the skits in point ① because there is an appeal that can only be experienced through a solo performance. Solo performances have been held annually since 2004, and currently, the 25th solo performance 'Yorisotte Warikutte' is being performed nationwide.
A solo performance of about two hours consisting of new skits and interlude videos. Not only is each skit funny, but the music played as interlude videos and the quality of the stories are tremendous. But that's not all.
This solo performance is, by now, a single movie.
Including the videos, each skit serves as foreshadowing for the final skit, creating a structure that forms a single story throughout.
Even though every skit is funny on its own, the masterful conclusion wrapped in laughter through a barrage of foreshadowing payoffs is breathtaking. While it is sufficiently attractive on DVD, I highly recommend visiting the venue to see it in person, as you can experience a sense of unity as if you and all the other audience members are riding a roller coaster with Tokyo 03.
▽ 25th Tokyo 03 Solo Performance 'Yorisotte Warikutte' Performance Information
※ Additional Performance Streaming Ticket Sales Information
Tokyo 03's Appeal ③ It Even Seeps into the Skits! The Members' Passionate Love for Comedy
Finally, an indispensable appeal: their passionate love for comedy.
Isn't the foundation of the reason why they continue to perform solo shows for many years and continue to be loved by deep-rooted fans precisely because of this love for comedy?
It is because all the members share this common love that Tokyo 03's skits are funny.
This time, Tokyo 03 presented seven new skits, but they create new skits for every solo performance each year, and even held remote performances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, there are scenes during the skits where they burst out laughing because each other's acting is funny, and their passionate desire—'We are dedicating our lives to doing skits!' 'We just love skits!'—comes across, which is cool.
The relationship between the three, who gathered under the star of skits and faced them with dedication, is irresistibly endearing, and it made me feel like I want to keep watching the world of comedy they create forever.
▽ Remote Solo Performance 'Hedatteru ne.'
▽ Tokyo 03 Iizuka-san's SNS
Lots of photos of the three smiling while eating gourmet food from all over the country during the solo performance tour
The way they face what they love head-on moves and captivates the hearts of those who watch.
I won't be able to take my eyes off Tokyo 03's skits, which capture even the uncool moments and turn them into laughter, from here on out.
(Text by Yama)
▽ Click here for Tokyo 03's comedy sketches
▽ Click here for the interview article with Akihiro Kakuta of Tokyo 03