REFER REPORT
The M-1 Grand Prix, a competition to determine the best manzai comedian in Japan, kicked off today, the 1st, and Four You, a duo from STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, appeared in the first round, which was held at Shidax Culture Hall in Tokyo.
In 2019 and 2020, members Yuta Fukuda and Yudai Tatsumi formed the duo “Tsuyu”, and in 2020, Yuki Koshioka and Yusuke Matsuzaki formed the duo “Otsuyu”. Unfortunately, neither of these groups made it to the quarterfinals.
Now, four years later, the four of them have come together as “Four You” to take part in the 20th anniversary competition. With the theme of “Summer Test of Courage,” the act started off as a comedy duo consisting of Koshioka and Tatsumi, but then Fukuda and Matsuzaki appeared one after the other, making the most of the four members. The audience erupted in laughter at their well-coordinated and energetic comedy.
Will Four You make it through the first round? The results will be announced on the official website at around 7pm. Following in the footsteps of Reiwa Roman, who came out on top last year out of a record 8,540 entries, who will be crowned the 20th champion? The finals are scheduled to be broadcast live on ABC TV and TV Asahi nationwide in December.
■Comments
[Koshioka]It was more tiring than doing one concert, but I gave it my all! The atmosphere in the venue was really warm and the audience was smiling, which was great!
[Tatsumi]Unlike last time and the time before, we decided to challenge it with four people, but I think we managed to bring out the true character of Four You. To be honest, two minutes is not enough (laughs). Four You’s motto has always been to “entertain the audience,” so I wanted to use three or four minutes to do a skit that would get the audience more involved!
[Fukuda]We said we wanted to go on by ourselves, but we’re exhausted physically and mentally (laughs). We’ve had a four-year hiatus, but I felt like I’ve grown, and I was able to do it more calmly than the last time, and it was fun. We usually stand on stage as four, so there’s a sense of security when we’re all together… I was reminded that it’s good that we’re four!
[Matsuzaki]There’s a word for exhaustion, right? (The other three commented, “You were only on stage for the last 15 seconds!”) I’d like to have a toast to my exhaustion now (laughs). First, the two of them (Koshioka and Tatsumi) warmed up the atmosphere, then Fuku-chan came on stage, and I heard the laughter of the audience. The three of us were fighting, so I felt that I had to give it my all too. And before I knew it, it was over (laughs).
[Koshioka](How excited are you to advance to the second round?) Matsuzaki’s performance in the first round was only 15 seconds, so if we make it to the second round he’ll have more time, which will give Matsu more room to excel. I’m looking forward to everyone seeing the new manzai we’ll put together at that point!
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Source: Japanese