Tokyo International News Agency

On May 16, 2026, the comedy competition "THE SECOND ~Manzai Tournament~"—a high-stakes stage for veterans with over 16 years of experience—took place, and the performance of Kansai-based powerhouse duo Shampoo Hat has become a major talking point across Japan. Although they narrowly missed a spot in the semi-finals, social media has been flooded with praise for their unique brand of manzai and the emotional impact of seeing them perform during primetime national television. Shampoo Hat is renowned for a style that is truly one-of-a-kind. As Seiya from the popular duo Shimofuri Myojo put it, "Shampoo Hat’s manzai is the ultimate form that only those two can deliver." This long-cultivated, distinct worldview was broadcast to living rooms nationwide, prompting a wave of heartfelt comments from long-time fans such as, "Seeing them do manzai on a national scale brings tears to my eyes," and "It was so funny it actually made me cry." The duo’s loss to ...

On May 16, 2026, the manzai world’s veterans clashed in the high-stakes competition "THE SECOND ~Manzai Tournament~," sparking a massive wave of excitement that sent "The Second" trending across social media. This tournament sees comedy duos with over 16 years of experience take the stage to prove they are still in their prime. Viewers have flooded the internet with praise for the sophisticated techniques and the intense display of pride that only seasoned professionals can deliver. High-Stakes Matchups: Kinzoku Bat, Tamons, and Totto Collide One of the most anticipated segments of the tournament was the showdown between powerhouse duos like Kinzoku Bat, Tamons, and Totto. On social media, fans expressed high expectations, with comments like "The battle between Kinzoku Bat and Tamons is almost too intense" and "It wouldn't be a surprise regardless of who wins." There were also positive reactions to the strong performance by Linear and the pla...