The M-1 Grand Prix 2024, Japan's most prestigious comedy competition, saw Kyōgo Romanji achieve a historic second consecutive victory, becoming the first team ever to secure back-to-back championships. The finals, held on December 22 at 6:30 PM and broadcast live from TV Tokyo’s Roppongi location, featured the widest field yet, with over 1,330 teams competing throughout the tournament.
Kyōgo Romanji, consisting of Kuruma Takahira and Kemuri Matsui, showcased their comedic prowess through imaginative storytelling and personal anecdotes. Takahira, 30 from Tokyo, and Matsui, 31 from Kanagawa, have been making waves since their formation within their college comedy circle back in 2018.
Facing great anticipation, the pair opened the first round as the number one team, delivering rapid-fire jokes centered on family names and their meanings, followed by their final act involving humorous time-traveling scenarios set during Japan’s Sengoku period. Judges enthusiastically responded, awarding them 850 points and supporting their advancement to the ultimate showdown.
The final round was fiercely competitive. Kyōgo Romanji’s performance, filled with clever jokes and imaginative flair, drew praise from the judges, especially from Reiji Nakagawa, who commented, "It was truly amazing comedy." The duo managed to secure 5 out of 9 votes from the judges, overshadowing their closest competitors, the newly formed team Battery, who received 3 votes, and 1 vote for the trio Shinkū Jeshika. Despite the strong strategy from Battery, Kyōgo Romanji emerged victorious with 850 points, reinforcing their title as champions.
Upon winning, Takahira expressed his overwhelming joy, stating, "Year-on-year, I'm twice as happy!" While Matsui, ever the realist, humorously declared, "I did everything without regrets. I don’t want to participate anymore," reflecting on the competitive nature of M-1 and the weight of expectations they faced.
Social media was ablaze with discussions about the significance of their achievement. Many users commented on the improbability of repeating such success, highlighting the intense competition and the unique nature of their performance. One noted, "What’s even more impressive is being the first ever to achieve this," solidifying their status within Japan's comedy scene.
This year’s competition was not only defined by the record number of entries but also showcased shifting dynamics among the judging panel which included notable figures like Shiromizu Shiba, Akihito Ide, and others, who provided diversity to the judging approach. The criticism of voting patterns added depth to the acclaimed finale, emphasizing the difficulty of securing high scores and the high stakes involved.
The M-1 Grand Prix, revived after its hiatus back in 2015, continues to hold incredible prestige within the Japanese entertainment industry. The event started back in 2001, aiming to crown the best manzai (a traditional style of Japanese stand-up comedy). The weight of its legacy was palpable, with talk of past champions who have attempted to replicate this very feat.
Notably, previous champions such as Non Style and Pankubūbū have also endeavored but fell short of consecutive victory. The history of the competition reflects the high expectations placed on comedic duos, illustrating how challenging it is to maintain success over consecutive years.
Despite serious talk surrounding their future, with Matsui hinting at not wanting to compete again, Takahira opened the door for more performances. During their post-victory conference, he proclaimed, "M-1 is my favorite; I will participate again next year!" This declaration assures fans and the audience alike of the duo's intent to reclaim their title once more, potentially setting the stage for even greater exploits.
With the 2024 M-1 Grand Prix now concluded, fans are left eagerly anticipating what future comedic offerings Kuruma and Matsui will deliver following their historic night. Their triumph signifies not just personal success, but also offers inspiration to many aspiring comedians dreaming of one day taking the accolades for themselves.
