"LIVE STAND 22-23 OSAKA" to be held! Special interview with Milk Boy

With pride as a manzai comedian from Osaka, he continues to perfect his manzai.

Entertainer　Milk boy 　Takashi Komaba(Komabatakashi) Takashi Utsumi(Utsumitaka)

■ Profile

This comedy duo consists of Takashi Utsumi and Takashi Komaba, who met at the Rakugo Study Group at Osaka University of Arts. They officially formed the duo in July 2007 after passing an audition for Base Yoshimoto. Their "Cornflakes" skit achieved the highest score ever at the 2019 M-1 Grand Prix, winning the competition, and quickly becoming a national phenomenon. In 2022, they won the Grand Prize at the 57th Kamigata Manzai Grand Prize, and are currently based in Osaka, performing on stage, television, and radio across the country.

Milk Boy won the "M-1 Grand Prix 2019" with the highest score ever recorded. 15 years after forming the comedy duo, they have been receiving many comments from audiences saying, "It really cheered me up," which has made them realize once again the power of comedy to make you forget the troubles of everyday life. We spoke to the duo about their journey so far, their thoughts on comedy and their partner, and more.

■Met at a university rakugo study group

Utsumi: I originally wanted to become a scriptwriter when I entered university, and I was thinking of joining the ice hockey club. But I couldn't skate at all (laughs), so I joined the Rakugo Club in June. That's where I met Komaba. There weren't many members, so I was invited by a senior to perform in a live show.

Komaba: I've wanted to be a comedian since I was little. I borrowed a Shinkigeki video from my cousin and initially wanted to join Shinkigeki, but then when I was in elementary school I saw a manzai battle and became attracted to how funny manzai is. I was particularly inspired by Downtown's coolness and wanted to form a comedy duo with them. When I entered university I joined a Rakugo club, but none of my classmates wanted to pursue a career as a comedian...so in June Utsumi joined and asked me to join.

Utsumi: I was thinking of entering NSC after graduating from university. I didn't want to look for a job (laughs). Then, while I was still a student, I passed the audition and got into Yoshimoto without going to a training school. There was a difference between me and the guys who were in NSC, so I had a strong feeling of "I won't lose," and I took on the challenge with just confidence and momentum. I was quite edgy at the time, and in a good way, I think I was underestimating them (laughs).

His driving force is laughter and the presence of friends

Komaba: Of course, there were many hardships. I was jealous of my juniors who were becoming more popular than me, and most of all, it was difficult because I had no money. I worked part-time jobs at gyms, department stores, lounges, and other places. I almost got fed up with the customers' bad behavior.

Utsumi: I worked part-time at a 100-yen shop, as a late-night operator, and as a delivery person. My parents also helped me out by sending me money.

Komaba: But even so, I was able to do my best as long as my material was well-received. I'm happy when people laugh, and that's all there is to it.

Utsumi: The presence of my colleagues was also a big factor. I was surrounded by really nice people. Maybe that's why I was able to continue. Warai-Ichi mentioned me as a funny comedian in a magazine interview, so it was encouraging to know that they thought I was funny even though they weren't directly involved.

Komaba: I'm always conscious of doing material that I would find funny if I went to see Milk Boy. I don't want people to think that they're not funny, so I try to put myself in the audience and if it's not funny, I won't do it. I value an objective perspective.

Utsumi: During M-1, I also put up a note in my room to motivate myself. In the process, I came to the conclusion that "all of the dissatisfaction I have now is my fault." If I don't get a good response, it's only my fault, and if I'm doing a job that I don't really like, it's because of my current position. I've always thought that if I don't like it, I'll work hard to get out of it.

■ A lifelong relationship with your partner

Utsumi: I don't think I would have done it if I hadn't been invited by the university Rakugo club, and I'm grateful that I was invited back then, as that helped us win the M-1. I think the good thing about Komaba is that the people are kind and serious. I think it's amazing that they don't slack off even in a place where it's easy to slack off.

Komaba: I think Utsumi's best quality is his slacker spirit (laughs). When I first started thinking about taking time off after having a family, I told him, "That's totally fine." I'm grateful that he's flexible and thinks about my family too. A duo is something that lasts a lifetime, and if there was a mismatch, it wouldn't work, so I'm glad that he's the kind of person I am.

■ [LIVE STAND 22-23 OSAKA Highlights of the Yoshimoto Comedian Tour

Utsumi: This is the first time I've been to this event in 12 years, and I couldn't make it last time, so I'm happy to be able to perform this time. It's been a big hit in Tokyo, and since Osaka is my hometown, I want to make it even more exciting. I want everyone to feel the energy of Kansai.

Komaba: I want people to experience the unique atmosphere of a festival. It's not a theater, but Osaka Castle Hall, so I hope people will enjoy that atmosphere. The stage is right there, and there are comedians at each booth, so I think it will feel very close to you, and you can choose to go wherever you like, so I hope people who haven't had much exposure to comedy before will come and see it.

Supplement: Comedy festival "LIVE STAND 22-23 OSAKA" will be held on Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th at Osaka Castle Hall and COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA.

■ Never stop evolving in order to continue performing manzai

Utsumi: I want to keep doing manzai forever. When I say "continue," it might be taken as keeping it, but if it stops being funny, I can't continue, and I think that continuing is the hardest part. To do that, I think I have to keep my antenna up all the time. The only way to find something funny is to just think about it. I can't think of anything unless I'm thinking about it. I feel that it would be very difficult to continue this for decades.

Komaba: My dream is to become a comedian with the same sex appeal as my master in Osaka. He's still evolving, and watching him up close I can feel his vastly different power. I'm glad I'm doing manzai in Osaka because I'm in an environment where I can easily be invited to his tours and events. When I was invited to appear on Master Norio and Yoshio's show on BS Yoshimoto, they were talking live from 8am to 10am, and their memory was so vivid, I was amazed at what these people have in their heads. I was scared to think that I could do the same in 20 or 30 years, but it was also very inspiring.

■Message

Utsumi: I want people to experience things that other people haven't experienced. If you have even one thing that you're extremely knowledgeable about, people will be more interested in you when they meet you for the first time and remember you. I think it's important to develop and specialize in your strengths.

Komaba: Even if you don't know what you want to do, find something you like. It doesn't have to be a job. I think it's better to find something you like than to have nothing at all.

Utsumi: And then there's the matter of falling in love. I wish I'd told everyone I fell in love with that I loved them.

(laughs) I also feel like I should have gone abroad.

Komaba: I wish I had remembered more about the past. When I look back, there are many things I can't remember. I think it would be good to get into the habit of keeping a diary, even if it's just for a few words, from my student days.

Student Newspaper Online August 29, 2022 Ayaka Yagi, 4th year student at Sophia University

Sophia University, 4th year Yagi Sayaka / Rikkyo University, 4th year Sudo Kakuto / Tokai University, 4th year Otsuka Misaki / Chuo Gakuin University, 4th year Tane Hayato / Tsuda University, 4th year Miyata Ayako / Keio University, 3rd year Ito Miyu / Kokugakuin University, 3rd year Shimada Daiki / Kanto Acupuncture and Moxibustion College, 3rd year Takehara Koryu / Hosei University, 1st year Saeki Sakurayu

<Impressions of LIVE STAND 22-23 TOKYO>

Until now, I had the impression that comedy was something to be enjoyed at home, and I rarely saw live comedy shows. However, when I actually went to a live stand, I was completely overwhelmed by the live comedy from start to finish. What impressed me most was how they instantly incorporated what was happening in the room into their material, livening up the venue. Of course, this is something that even comedians need skill for, but I felt that it was a type of fun that can only be shared when you're in the same space. Also, while comedy is certainly fun to watch alone, I think it's even more enjoyable when you watch it with someone. That's why I was so happy to be able to enjoy it at a live venue surrounded by so many fellow comedy fans. I laughed a lot, was moved, and had a truly happy day. I would like to attend more comedy shows in the future. Thank you so much for this valuable opportunity!

Keio University, 3rd year student Miyu Ito

I've loved comedy since I was little, but this was my first time seeing it live and I was blown away by the power of the comedians' live performance and the delicacy of their talk and material. Personally, I found the Ogiri segment the most entertaining. The amazing ability to come up with material that can make people laugh in such a short amount of time, and the way each comedian used their individuality to create a hilarious atmosphere outside of the Ogiri, made the hour go by so quickly that I was laughing my head off the whole time. It was really cool to see them leave the stage after their material.

Daiki Shimada, third-year student at Kokugakuin University

I went to see the live SATGE, which was themed around "Let's go laugh!" The opening performance, which paid homage to the Ama-no-Iwato cave in Japanese mythology, featuring lion dance and shamisen, was so amazing it gave me goosebumps. Afterwards, I got to see a number of comedians, including top performer Shimofuri Myojo, perform manzai, and laugh my heart out. They were as brilliant as Amenouzume, who brought Amaterasu Omikami out of the cave with their laughter. I laughed so hard I was holding my stomach, and it blew away all the usual frustration I've been feeling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meiji University 4th year student Yui Sakai

I went to see "IKI NA Neta STAGE"! From Shimofuri Myojo to Oideyasu Koga, Mou Chugakusei, and NONSTYLE, popular and talented comedians came together to perform their material. I usually watch manzai and sketches on TV, but going to see them live was a completely different experience than watching them on screen! The comedians were also able to pick up on little mishaps that occurred during their manzai and sketches and turn them into laughs, and I really felt the fun that can only be experienced by going to see a live performance. And above all, comedy gives you the special feeling of watching famous people who appear in the media live, and the happiness that only comedy can give you, which I think is a very necessary element in this age filled with discontent!!

Sudo Kakuto, a fourth-year student at Rikkyo University

"LIVE STAND 22-23 OSAKA"Held at Osaka Castle Hall and COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA on Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th!