The M-1 Grand Prix 2024, the largest comedy contest in Japan, is set to take place with its finals on December 22, 2024, at 6:30 PM, broadcast live by ABC and TV asahi. This year, the competition is witnessing notable changes including the introduction of nine judges, adding intrigue to the contest.
The finals will be highly anticipated not just for the competition's excitement but also for its historic significance. Last year, the reigning champion,令和ロマン (Reiwa Roman), made headlines by winning the title with the fastest winning career ever. Now, they have the chance to achieve something unprecedented; the first-ever back-to-back championships.
The final lineup includes five returning judges alongside four newcomers, reflecting the competition’s evolution. Well-known comedians海原ともこ (Tomoko Uehara),博多大吉 (Daikichi Hakata),塙宣之 (Nobuyuki Hanawa), and礼二 (Reiji Nakagawa) will be present, but the absence of松本人志 (Hitoshi Matsumoto) has raised questions about how this might impact the scoring.
With 1,330 comedy duos entered, only nine have made it to the finals, alongside one from the revival round, bringing enthusiasm for the potential fresh comedic perspectives. Major rivalries are set to heat up this year, especially with clauses added to prevent contestants from sharing identical acts.
Among the finalists this year is大鶴肥満 (Ohtsuru Himan) and檜原洋平 (Hiyohara Yohei) of the duoママタルト (Mama Taruto), both set to take their first step on the M-1 Grand Prix final stage. Competing against last year’s runners-up,ヤーレンズ (Yarenz), and the duoダイタク (Daitaku) who have been preparing for their last throw at the title, tension among the comedians is palpable.
The rising groupエバース (Evers), known for their engaging conversational humor, hopes for an upset victory, backed by their recent accolades, including triumph at the NHK Newcomer Comedy Awards earlier this year.
The stakes are high this year, with the atmosphere buzzing, owing to the diverse backgrounds of the finalists and their desire for the title. There’s palpable excitement around who will succeed and whether令和ロマン can maintain their crown.
The 2024 finals are particularly historic as the number of judges has changed from the traditional setup. For the first time since 2015, which previously adopted similar rules, the competition will feature nine judges. Speculations arise on how the scoring will change based on this new panel, potentially affecting the average scores compared to previous years.
Back to desafío, past winners have left their mark, but none have repeated as champions since 2003. With the pressure on令和ロマン to deliver, the question arises - can they overcome the historical barrier, especially with last year’s bitter loss still fresh on their rival’s minds?
Final preparations are underway, as the comedians gear up to perform on stage where they’ll have their final chance to win the数组 of 100 million yen. This year, the addition of new faces among the judges will surely stir things up, and with the potential for clear historical firsts and solid performances, the finals are set to be exhilarating. A long-standing tradition steeped deeply within Japanese comedic culture, the M-1 Grand Prix stands proud, heralding the arrival of tomorrow's comedic icons.
Switching gears, viewers are not just following the laughs and slip-ups; they’re watching history unravel live. The event, often likened to the Olympics of Japanese comedy, resonates now more than ever, emphasizing the essence of cultural nuances mixed with the laughter shared among the audience.
Be sure to tune in to witness not only the amusement but to behold the integration of various comedic styles as these talented final contestants take to the comedy stage. The countdown has begun, and all eyes will be set on December 22 for the grand showdown at 6:30 PM, where dreams of comedic glory will come to fruition.
