The M-1 Grand Prix 2024 is set to witness significant changes as the judging panel has undergone major restructuring, which has sparked discussions and controversy among fans and participants alike. Notably, the absence of the regular judge Matsumoto Hitoshi, who is currently on hiatus from his entertainment-related endeavors, has led to speculation about who would take on the role of the head judge for this prestigious competition.
The announcement of the nine judges took place on December 15, 2023, during the pre-broadcast special titled "生放送！M-1グランプリ20回記念 俺たちだって面白い！1万組のエントリー物語" (Live Broadcast! M-1 Grand Prix 20th Anniversary—We Too Are Funny! The Story of 10,000 Entries). This year’s judging panel will include Shibata Eiki from Untouchable, Yamauchi Kenji from Kamaitachi, and Wakabayashi Masayasu from Audrey. These three judges are taking on significant roles for the first time, adding fresh perspectives to the judging process.
Along with these newcomers, the panel will also feature other seasoned judges such as Ishida Akira from NON STYLE, Tomoko Uehara from Uehara Yasuyo and Tomoko, Hakatadayoki from Hakata Hanamaru and Daiki, Hanawa Nobuyuki from Nights, and Reiji Nakagawa from Nikakaya. The roster was rounded off to nine members after two additional judges were added compared to the previous year.
Following Matsumoto’s absence, there has been much speculation about who will fill his prominent role—widely referred to as "松ちゃん枠" (Matsuchan's seat)—with many fans weighing their opinions on social media. Notably, Ishida's name emerged first on the list of judges, igniting excitement and anticipation among the audience for his role. Some enthusiasts took to platforms like Twitter to express sentiments like "帰ってくるの待ってました" (I’ve been waiting for him to come back) to signify their appreciation for Ishida’s participation.
With this being the 20th anniversary of the M-1 Grand Prix, the competition has reached unprecedented heights, drawing a record total of 1,330 entries—making it the highest participation rate ever documented for the event. From these entries, only 31 teams will compete through various rounds to secure their spots, culminating in the final showdown scheduled for December 22, 2024.
The final event will be broadcast live across ABC TV and TV-Asahi from 3:00 PM to 10:10 PM. Fans eagerly await the decision-making process and how the new judging panel will influence the outcomes, especially with all eyes on the new judges as they critique the competitors.
Following the overwhelming success of previous years, which included significant cultural milestones within Japanese comedy, the introduction of fresh faces like Shibata, Yamauchi, and Wakabayashi serves to revive the sense of excitement and unpredictability throughout the competition.
This year’s format will also feature nine competing teams alongside one team from the repechage round. This allows for even more dynamism and engagement among the comedic talents, aiming to leave fans on the edge of their seats.
Social media buzz continues to grow as audiences speculate about the dynamics of the new judging panel, particularly concerning who will emerge as the head judge and how traditional rankings may shift. The absence of Matsumoto has certainly left behind big shoes to fill, and viewers are poised to see how the combination of established and novice judges will resonate with audiences and contestants alike.
Overall, the M-1 Grand Prix 2024 is setting the stage for what many hope will be one of the most exciting and unpredictable seasons yet, with the anticipation of reactions to new judges and their impact on the outcome providing fertile ground for discussions across Japan.
