A light truck runs through　

The charm of the comedy industry discovered by a duo who are complete opposites in terms of personality, gender, and body type

■ Profile

In December 2019, he won the "Showa Porn World" series on CX's "The Impersonations That Are So Detailed They Can't Be Understood," and in January 2020, he appeared on NTV's "Gurunai: Omoshiroso," which made him an instant hit.
On YouTube, they are currently updating the "Running Light Truck Channel" as a duo and the "Mochida Koshihikari Channel" by themselves. They are also appearing on the radio app GERA's "Glorious Sexual Spring" (updated every Thursday at 8pm).

Onojima has dreamed of becoming a comedian since elementary school, while Mochida says, "At first, I wanted to be an actress and had no interest in comedy at all." These two polar opposites formed the comedy duo "Running Light Truck." How did they meet and how did they end up appearing on terrestrial television and on stage?上Or are they active in a wide range of areas on YouTube, performing skits? We spoke to these two, who are currently attracting attention, about their passion for comedy.

■How did you spend your time as a student?

Onojima: When I was old enough to understand things, I was watching Tunnels and Ucchan Nanchan on TV, and the sight of my father pounding the floor in laughter caught my eye, and I became interested in the career of a comedian. In elementary school, I was a very playful person and had trouble concentrating on one thing. I remember my homeroom teacher sarcastically telling me in my second year of high school, "Join Yoshimoto Kogyo." I took his words seriously and remember thinking, "Yoshimoto Kogyo? Sounds cool, I'd like to go." From then on, my dream became to become a comedian, and I even wrote "My dream is to become a comedian" in my graduation album. In college, I joined a comedy club at another university and performed in comedy shows once every two months. Then, in my second year of high school, I was scouted by Shochiku Entertainment, and in my third year, I started appearing in the agency's live shows.

Mochida: In high school, I was in the choir club, which went to national competitions, and my life revolved around club activities. I was terrible at studying (laughs). I was also a problem child, having been suspended for cheating since my first year of high school, so I never considered going on to university. At the time, I suddenly wanted to become an actress, so after graduating from high school, I went to a vocational school where I could study acting. At school, I wanted to join the Shiki Theatre Company, so I worked hard at musicals, including singing and dancing. However, in my second year, my teacher told me, "Overweight people can't join the Shiki Theatre Company," and I was at a loss as to what to do next when I was approached by Shochiku Entertainment, where I am now, and decided to pursue a career in entertainment.

■What do you think about comedy?

Onojima: Comedy has always been fascinating to me, and it's been a constant presence for me ever since. With old-fashioned thinking, it's a profession that makes you seem like an outsider, so when I was in university, I struggled with how to bring it up with my parents. At first, I told them I was just doing it as a club activity and didn't seem like I was serious about pursuing comedy. Then, just at the right time, my current agency contacted me, and I was able to gain their permission step by step. My parents played a big role in me, and later, when I was around 25 and struggling, my father, who usually doesn't interfere much with me, told me, "I'm not going to let you say you want to quit now," and that's when I realized I had to work hard at comedy.

Mochida: To be honest, I wasn't interested in comedy until I met my current partner. Two years ago, I was watching Takahashi Daisuke's figure skating on TV rather than watching "M-1" (laughs). When I was working as a comedian, there were people like Watanabe Naomi and Imoto Ayako who were also actresses, so I thought, "Maybe I could do that too."
I think the biggest factor in my change of attitude was when Onojima told me, "The negative aspects of me are forgivable in comedy." Even though I'm generally considered a "dangerous person," people find that funny in the comedy world. My unbalanced body shape, which would have been a hindrance if I were aiming to become an actress, has become an asset in comedy. Now, I feel once again that comedy is a profession that suits me.

■What led you two to team up??

Onojima: It was recommended by the agency. My previous partner had just retired, and I was just starting to enjoy performing solo, but I felt like I couldn't refuse because it was a decision made by adults in a meeting, so I agreed to form a comedy duo with Mochida. My impression of Mochida was that he was someone who didn't do any comedy routines and only appeared on local TV shows, so I thought he would quit soon.

Mochida: I wasn't good at writing material, so I was recommended Onojima, who could. At first, our relationship was limited to greeting each other with "Thank you for your hard work." On the other hand, I felt that Onojima was someone who could take first place at the agency's live shows, but wouldn't be appreciated on TV.

Onojima: Well, we didn't have a good impression of each other (laughs).

Listening to you two talk, it seemed like you two got along really well!

Mochida: I'm the kind of person who doesn't even know how to buy a ticket, so Onojima is like a caretaker to me, teaching me everything.

Onojima: I believe that a duo needs to communicate properly, so I think they should get along well.

■When do you feel a sense of accomplishment in your work?

Mochida: When I get to appear on a show I've watched since I was a child and meet the other cast members, I feel an excitement that's hard to put into words. When I met Akashiya Sanma, his aura was so strong that I cried. Some of the location shoots were like regular trips, like going to hot springs and eating delicious food, and there were times when I wondered, "Am I really allowed to get paid for something this fun?" It wasn't all fun and games, though; we also had some physically demanding location shoots, like doing waterfall meditation. I was able to have experiences that office ladies of my generation wouldn't have the chance to have, so I found that rewarding in a way.

Onojima: It happens maybe a few times a year, but it's when a joke that we weren't even confident about becomes a huge hit. Even when there are people out there who are funnier than us, when something becomes a hit that we never expected, it's an indescribable feeling... It feels mystical.

■Are there any difficulties in doing comedy?

Mochida: I don't know much about comedy, so I don't even know the roles of the boke and tsukkomi, so it's difficult to have to learn first. Also, on variety show sets, I get overwhelmed by the energy of my co-stars, and it's scary and I don't have the courage to take a step forward.

Onojima: Right now is the hardest part. Even when we appear together as a duo, people only focus on Mochida, who has an impact, so I'm always thinking about how to make sure people don't forget me.

■Do you have any dreams for the future?

Onojima: I want a story that says, "This is the real light truck speeding through!" We're currently doing work as a comedy duo on YouTube and radio, but I'd like to do the same on TV.

Mochida: We'd love to appear together as a comedy duo on a prime-time TV show, and we'd love to have a regular spot in even just one corner. Since we've decided to work hard at comedy, we hope to achieve results in the awards race.

■Message

Mochida: I hear that there are a lot of university students these days who say they have no dreams for the future. I think it's especially important for people like that to do what they enjoy on their own initiative. Also, please cherish your friends.

Onojima: I think you should do what you want to do, no matter what others say. It's fine to do it alone. There's no need to feel lonely because you don't have any friends. Those who rush into groups are the ones who fail, so don't rush.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on March 2, 2021 by Yuuki Narita, a first-year student at Saitama University