The Bonchi, Masato Satomi

Collaboration isn't about becoming the same, but about leveraging your differences to stand on the same stage.

The Bonchi, Masato Satomi

■ Profile
The peak and fall of the manzai boom. Three wins of the "Kamigata Manzai Grand Prize" with different comedy duos. Reaching the finals of Fuji TV's "THE SECOND" in his 70s. Currently on a challenge tour in 2026 to celebrate his 55th anniversary in show business.

■The coach's guidance was too strict, leading to the student quitting the team.

When I was in high school, I spent every day immersed in baseball, but the coach's guidance was strict, and one after another, the team members started to quit. Before I knew it, the number of members had dwindled from 192 to just 12. In the end, I also quit the team. My year made it to the top 16 in the Koshien tournament, so I still wonder what would have happened if I had stayed until the end.
Even now, as I've gotten older, I still think, "If you quit halfway through, you'll regret it this much." Because of this experience, I now tell myself, "I won't quit until I feel like I can't do it anymore," and continue working.
After graduating from high school, I intended to become an actor, but I realized I couldn't make a living as an actor. Then I heard that comedian Kiyoshi Nishikawa had built a house when he was 22, so I entered the world of comedy. To be honest, I never dreamed I would become a comedian, but I chose this path as if guided by fate.

■Things that are important for continuing as a comedy duo

The most important thing in a comedy duo is not to try to change your partner. Osamu doesn't stick to the script and often goes off on tangents, but that's where unexpected laughter comes from. He has qualities that I lack. Our personalities and ways of thinking are completely opposite, and we've had many clashes, but we've been able to continue because we trust and respect each other. I believe that collaboration isn't about forcing yourselves to be the same, but about leveraging your differences to stand on the same stage.
I've experienced both booms and setbacks, seen both heaven and hell, but the reason I was able to continue was because I was terrified that I would become useless if I did nothing.

■ The importance of "quality"

The most important thing to me in my work is "refinement." Just because it's comedy doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Of "making people cry, making them laugh, making them admire you, and making them angry," the easiest is making them angry. Making people laugh is the most difficult, which is why I want to focus on that. No matter how well you get laughs, if you're perceived as lacking refinement, there's no future for you. The older I get, the more I feel that a person's character and way of life are reflected in their humor. I want to cherish "refinement" in my everyday words and actions as well.

■Message to students

I published a book this year, and it all started with a chance encounter. I hope that this book will encourage students who are feeling lost or those who are wondering, "Is this really okay?" to take that next step. My dream for the future is to stand on the Budokan stage again.
Four years goes by faster than you think. Find even more things to enjoy!
You can do it!

Akari Yoshimatsu, 3rd year student at Musashino University / Rurika Abe, 2nd year student at Showa Women's University