Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!
Encyclopedia
, often abbreviated , is a Japanese variety show
hosted by the popular Japanese owarai
duo, Downtown
, with comedian Hōsei Yamasaki and owarai duo Cocorico
co-hosting. The program has been broadcast on Nippon TV since its pilot episode on October 3, 1989, and continues to this day, celebrating its 1000th episode on April 18, 2010. The program currently broadcasts on Nippon TV and its regional affiliates from 10:56 p.m. until 11:26 p.m JST
.
}, the boke half of Downtown. Absurdism
, sarcasm
, and a blunt, ill-tempered persona make up his comedic style. Deadpan
is his forté, but he can slip into exaggerated reactions as well. He is often described as an "M", or masochist.
}, the tsukkomi half of Downtown. His quick temper, displays of schadenfreude
, and tendency to hit people on their heads are notorious in the owarai
world. He is often described as an "S", or sadist., part of the regular cast since 1995. His role on the show is usually divided up between the suberi-kyara (the unfunny character who tries very hard to be funny, but fails) and the ijime-kyara (the underdog who gets bullied and picked on, often physically).
}, the boke half of Cocorico.
}, the tsukkomi half of Cocorico.
Perhaps the best known Gaki no Tsukai episodes are those dealing with batsu game
s, or punishment games, in which one or more of the cast members are subjected to after losing bets, major competition, or physical challenges.
The "No Laughing" Batsu Game itself (broadcast annually during the New Year's Holiday) was first introduced in 2003. The premise of each "No Laughing"-punishment game is, the losing members of the cast have to endure many compromising, absurd, generally ridiculous situations for a long period of time (up to 24-hours, thus far) but must refrain from laughing at any of them. Whenever someone does laugh, and he is caught by A Watcher, the announcer of the game will declare that person as having just become "out" (アウト or a-u-to in Katakana
); immediately afterwards, the appropriate number of "hang-men" will come out to mete the rule breaker's punishment. (To date, this has been executed via single strikes on the buttocks {or somewhere in that area} with a weapon — one which does not change mid-game.)
To keep the participants on their toes, there have been occasions where other conditions besides laughing had been set that could make them out, if fulfilled; also, the "victors" of the preliminary trial (if there are any) can make appearances during games to wreak further mischief and potentially cause even more discomfort to the losers.
After losing a bet (Bet aired on Jan. 16, 1990) on who would win the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
singing competition, Matsumoto had to wreak havoc in the morning news show "Zoom In!! Asa!" that was broadcast live
.
Matsumoto played a game of shiritori
(Game aired on Apr. 24, 1990) with Hamada, with an additional rule: all words used were to contain the syllable "su" (す). Matsumoto lost the game after he repeated one of his words. As a consequence, he had to advertise Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende! on TV, in a sadomasochistic way.
Hamada lost a bet (Bet aired on Jul. 24, 1990) to Matsumoto, in which they predicted who would win the 1990 Japan Series
in Nippon Professional Baseball. The batsu Game for Hamada would be to skydive from a height of 4000 meters above ground.
Hamada won a golf game (Game aired on Dec. 11, 1990) and Matsumoto had to welcome a group of people into a room, dressed in a kimono
and make-up, portraying a female Japanese hostess.
Matsumoto lost a baseball game (Game aired on Feb. 12, 1991) and had to swim in the chilly waters, together with his team.
This is the first time audiences are involved. Matsumoto and 500 other people competed in a dodgeball game (Game aired on May 28, 1991) with Hamada and 500 other people. Matsumoto lost the game and had to take a roller coaster ride with a bald wig.
This is the second time Hamada and Matsumoto bet (Bet aired on Dec. 29, 1991) on who would win the Kōhaku singing competition. Matsumoto lost and had to be the SMPTE color bars
background for the Morning News broadcast 'Live' on TV.
Hamada team and Matsumoto team played a rugby match (Match aired on Jun. 7, 1992) and Matsumoto lost. He had to act like a trained seal and listen to orders by his 'master' Hamada.
This was the third time Hamada and Matsumoto bet (Bet aired on Dec. 20, 1992) on who would win the Kōhaku singing competition. Matsumoto lost again and had to be a white dove (the mascot of Nihon Television) for the Morning News broadcast 'Live' on TV, singing the lyrics "Am I stupid? Am I a fool?" to the tune of the NTV logo jingle.
Matsumoto challenged Hamada to a high-jump competition (Competition aired on Jul. 11, 1993) and Hamada lost at 1.4m. He had to go to Évian-les-Bains
, France
with the crew to get Matsumoto a bottle of Evian
mineral water straight from the source.
This was the fourth time Hamada and Matsumoto bet (Bet aired on Dec. 26, 1993) on who would win the Kōhaku singing competition. Matsumoto lost again and had to do a comedy skit with his mother on a midnight programme.
This was the fifth time Hamada and Matsumoto bet (Bet aired on Dec. 18, 1994) on who would win the Kōhaku singing competition. Hamada lost and had to go to New York City
with Suga Kenji to fetch a mechanical pencil
that Matsumoto lent to composer Ryuichi Sakamoto
. On returning, Matsumoto discovers that the rubber on top of the mechanical pencil is missing so Hamada had to return to New York and recover the rubber.
Hamada loses a golf challenge against the rest of the cast (Challenge aired on May 24, 1998) and must go to Los Angeles
with Matsumoto's mother to shoot the love scene from Titanic
.
Hamada loses a golf challenge against the rest of the cast (Challenge aired on Oct. 18, 1998) and had to do about 30 advertisements for Nitterre over a 24-hour period.
In "Gaki no tsukai - YAMASAKI Scale ga Chiisai Saiban", Yamasaki is brought into the Gaki no Tsukai court to stand trial for the scaredy-cat disposition he exhibits during events, games, and with co-workers.
He gets convicted, and is forced to endure the appropriate batsu game as a consequence - a 1-night stay at the empty high-school to play a series of one-piece recitals without being scared by all the traps that were set up for him.
A batsu game that took place over the period of 24 hours where all the cast, except Matsumoto, are locked in a sports arena, playing "tag" with various Oni (demons) (who, here,—except for two or three instances {that were on film},—were men dressed in full-body black suits) that were "summoned" to attack at random moments, each with a specific type of punishment written on the suit to be inflicted whenever the victims were tagged. This batsu game is the result of Matsumoto winning the race against the four others in "Gaki no tsukai - 4 tai 1 100m sou Taiketsu!" (on Oct. 17, 1999).
After Matsumoto loses a swimming match (match aired on Feb. 11, 2001) against the other four cast members, a batsu game is set at a "haunted ryokan", where Matsumoto must remain overnight. He endures ghost apparitions, a seemingly empty samurai suit that comes alive, and random knocks on walls, among other things. The other four cast members attend to support him in controlling his fear, but end up scaring him as well.
Matsumoto's team (compiled of him and Heipo) loses to Hamada's team in a long-jump segment (long-jump aired on May 5, 2002) due to Heipo's jump failing to beat the other team and has to perform with his father, mother, older sister, and brother as a Sentai/Power Ranger team.
In this game, Matsumoto is punished for losing a bet (bet aired on Oct. 27, 2002) with Hamada over the 2002 Japan Series. In their bet, Hamada picked the Yomiuri Giants
while Matsumoto picked the Seibu Lions
; the Giants won the series four games to none. Matsumoto's punishment was having to spend a day at home while Hamada, Endō, Tanaka and Yamasaki threw pies at him (after showering and in bed) and everything he touched (including a television set and a toaster), non-stop. Matsumoto had to ignore all of this while following prompts from a narrator over the sound-system.
The first No-Laughing Batsu Game, shot in Yamanashi, it served as the punishment for Matsumoto, Yamasaki, Endō, and Tanaka, for losing to Hamada in a 4 vs. 1 bowling match (which aired on May 18, 2003).
Getting caught laughing during this game resulted in having a dart from a blow-gun shot into the buttocks. Given the newness of the concept, this punishment game was carried out in a somewhat "primitive" way: the Watchers were more lenient with enforcing the rule, and the auto sound blared rough over the sound-system that was set up through the facility.
Dec. 14 & 21, 2003: Hama-chan Vladivostok Back Hand
On Oct. 5, 2003, Hamada lost once again to Matsumoto on who would win the 2003 Japan Series, and being unable to see the front side of things, Hamada is forced to go to Vladivostok in order to receive a back hand slap to the face as part of a batsu game. During the game, everything is done in reverse; hotel rooms have everything upside down, Hamada gets pictures of himself and the backs of statues, and many people as well as streets and objects appear during the trip with 'ura' in their names (a pun on 'back') such as former Giants baseball player Hisao Niura.
In a Russian Roulette style game involving sushi, Yamasaki, Tanaka, and Hamada lost and were punished in the second spa-themed no-laughing batsu game, filmed at Yugawara, Kanagawa
. A riding crop
was the punishment device employed. Matsumoto and Endo joined the game half-way as "The Mad Brothers." This batsu game features Endō's luchador
character Dynamite Shikoku.
Matsumoto, Yamasaki, Endō, and Tanaka are punished after losing another Russian Roulette style game where they shocked themselves. This time, they are sent to 'high school' for one day. The punishment weapon for this game is the shinai
, and Hamada participated as one of the hang-men. It was revealed that this game was shot during Matsumoto's birthday.
This batsu game premiered as a three-hour special. The losing players were Yamasaki, Hamada, and Endō, who lost at a Russian Roulette style game using large tubs suspended from the studio ceiling, and cutting loose the one's that fell, thus earning them a spot in the Batsu Game. Matsumoto and Tanaka avoided the batsu, and later appeared in the game, visiting the three punished players. The hang-men were especially rough when giving discipline to offenders.
For this special, Downtown, Yamasaki, and Coq au Rico all took part of the most infamous punishment game — and they were forced to cross-dress as nurses for this one. Yamasaki, who had just completed a hospital stay after being treated for enteritis
, was permitted to take some absences during the game. Among the famous guests who performed here were Sonny Chiba
, Masahiro Chono
and many other comedy duos in Japan. (As a side note, it was during this game that the record for most punishment-strikes ever inflicted was set, with Hitoshi Matsumoto having received a total of 259 of them.)
For the second time around, all five members of the regular cast took part in the annual punishment game. This year the chosen setting was a newspaper agency. The members had to go to a number of mock press conferences dressed as journalists. Endō's ex-wife Chiaki
made a guest appearance in a conference about her "new husband." In keeping with the theme of the punishment game, giant latex pencils were used to strike anyone who had been declared out.
For the third consecutive time, Yamazaki, Downtown, and Coq au Rico took part in the annual punishment game. The setting was a hotel and it aired on New Year's Eve at 6:30pm until 12:30am on New Year's Day. Numerous cameo and guest appearances were made, including Masahiro Chono
, Masahiro Tanaka
, Natsumi Ogawa ( Hamada's wife ), Endō's ex-wife Chiaki
, Jyunji Endō ( Endō's younger brother), Masako Mori, Ayumi Nakamura, Monta Yoshinori, and Yoshimi Iwasaki
.
The members of Gaki no Tsukai partake in their fourth annual punishment game. Filmed in Ibaraki prefecture
, this year's setting was a spy school and it was aired on New Year's Eve at 6:30pm to 12:30am on New Year's Day. Over 100 celebrities were involved with the filming including Itao Itsuji, Matsuko Deluxe, Masahiro Chono
, Bibari Maeda, Claudia Umemiya and Tatsuo Umemiya.
The Gaki no Tsukai cast participate in the 5th annual punishment game (the 6th ever in the No Laughing Series). The filming took place at Ibaraki Airport where the cast trained to become flight attendants. Airing will begin on New Year's Eve 12/31/11 at 6:30pm and run through 12:30am the next day Japanese Standard Time.
on it (similar to Russian roulette
). Although the game requires that they remain silent during the entire segment, the members repeatedly let out bursts of muffled laughter that is loud enough for the occupants of the library to hear. An example of punishments are being "Outwitted" (having a nose hair pulled from the nostril), "Nose Fishing" (a metal clamp attached to the inside of both nostrils being pulled), and "Hot Earmuffs" (boiled earmuffs
put on both ears). Former K-1
champion Ernesto Hoost
once made a special appearance, as well as writer and film director Koki Mitani
.
This segment was adapted into an American game show, called Silent Library
. The international version of the show is referred to as Fist of Zen
. It debuted on MTV on June 15, 2009.
In a segment from the episode "Ōgiri Daigassen", the participants must recite a long, tongue twister-like promotion for the show without stopping or stuttering. If a participant fails, they are attacked by the “chinko machine”, literally the “penis machine”, a catapult-like lever that swings up and hits the participant in the genitals. On this episode, Yamazaki was the only participant who was able to recite the whole tongue twister (although he was not so lucky on other instances). This batsu game was featured on the August 1, 2006 Oddball segment of Countdown with Keith Olbermann
as "Reason Number 261 (of 527) why Japanese television is better than ours."
dangling from a string, while they are hindered by a rubber band which is put across their face. They are not allowed to use their hands to grab the marshmallow, although the other contestants are allowed to straighten the strings which the marshmallows are attached to. The entire game ended with the Blue team as the victors.
once made a special appearance on this segment in which he collected 53,000 yen, at that time the record for any comedian during this segment. The record is currently held by Koumoto Junichi (河本準一).
A variation on this, "Horror Shichi-henge," involved several members of the cast and crew ambushing Heipō with the intent of causing him to lose his composure and thus be forced to surrender money.
, takoyaki, nabe and chawanmushi
or foods like pizza
, with unusual ingredients to use as fillings or flavors, which is eaten later and given a score ranging from two "skull marks" to ten stars. However, in recent episodes, the cast ignores the rating system more frequently, instead resorting to giving unpleasant dishes various numbers of "ass hairs" and "pubic hairs" Endo is notorious for using Frisk
, a brand of very strong breath mint, in his food. The results are usually disastrous and very distasteful. Matsumoto usually introduces very unusual ingredients such as a bear's paw for takikomi gohan
, pig
's and tuna
's head for pizza, a dried cobra
for nabe
, and toothpaste for pasta.
"The Best Ten" show, which is a parody of countdown shows. The hosts are Hamada and Matsumoto, wearing a black tuxedo and a woman's dress, respectively. The other is in a team competition between Team Hamada and Team Matsumoto.
In "The Best Ten" format, three other regular casts also perform and usually present in certain places; Tanaka at the 10th, Endo, usually with greased hair and wears nothing but white underpants, in the top half, and Yamasaki at the 1st.
Other challenges include: Hiyashi Chuuka "cold noodles", Mild Seven "a cigarette brand", Katsu Kare "pork cutlet and curry rice", Chashumen "ramen noodles with chashu pork", Naporitan "spaghetti-like noodles", Omuraisu "rice with ketchup and egg"
The event also features Endo's wrestling alter ego Dynamite Shikoku. He is accompanied to the ring by 2 women in kimonos and proceeds to fight in a match. The running gag is that he pulls a leg muscle during the match, and he always loses. After being checked out by the ringside doctor (Konya Ga Yamada), the match ends and Shikoku stands back up to address the crowd. After the speech he invites the crowd to join him in his trademark dance and is promptly taken out of the ring in a stretcher.
Kazuo Umezu
.
characters from Downtown's other show, Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji
), and they attempt to complete all five different colors in 6 hours. The chance that the five cast members choose all different colors is 120/3125 (3.84%). The challenge is based on the main running gag of the Gorenjai sketches: that the team members couldn't decide who wore which colors.
On occasion, Ameagari Kesshitai join the regular cast in a Seven Rangers Game (nanarenjai), featuring two additional colors (black and white) added to the regular Gorenjai color configuration. The other rules are exactly the same as in a Five Rangers Game.
ing or dressing up in drag and playing mini games in a bus going around popular Tokyo
locations. When one of the players loses a mini-game, he is dropped off in a public location and forced to walk back to the studio alone and looking quite absurd. Past themes include female anime
characters, kogal
s, SM queens
, and Pink Lady
(Japanese pop music idols of the late 1970s).
One memorable moment was during the Anime Bus Tour, when Yamasaki (dressed as Arale
from Dr. Slump
) was dropped off and told to buy take-out spaghetti for the entire cast on his way back. He attempted to walk back without buying any, but on his way, he ran into fellow contestant Miyasako of the comedy duo Ameagari Kesshitai
, who had also been dropped off (dressed as Kekkō Kamen
). They bought the spaghetti together. Upon arriving at the studio, Miyasako revealed that Yamasaki had tried to return without buying the food. Appalled and outraged, Matsumoto ordered him to go buy spaghetti in Italy
-- specifically, to go to the "very tip of its heel," referring to the country's distinct boot
-like shape. A few weeks later, Yamasaki was forced to fly to Lecce
, Italy
to buy a plate of spaghetti from a restaurant, all the while still dressed as Arale.
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
hosted by the popular Japanese owarai
Owarai
is a broad word used to describe Japanese comedy as seen on television. The word owarai is the honorific form of the word warai, meaning "a laugh" or "a smile". Owarai is most common on Japanese variety shows and the comedians are referred to as owarai geinin or owarai tarento...
duo, Downtown
Downtown (owarai)
is a Japanese comedy duo from Amagasaki, Hyōgo consisting of and . Formed in 1982, they are one of the most influential and prolific kombi in Japan today...
, with comedian Hōsei Yamasaki and owarai duo Cocorico
Cocorico (comedy duo)
, also romanized as Coq au Rico, is a Japanese comedy duo consisting of and . They are best known for making up the cast of the popular and long-running variety show, Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!....
co-hosting. The program has been broadcast on Nippon TV since its pilot episode on October 3, 1989, and continues to this day, celebrating its 1000th episode on April 18, 2010. The program currently broadcasts on Nippon TV and its regional affiliates from 10:56 p.m. until 11:26 p.m JST
Japan Standard Time
Japan Standard Time or JST is the standard timezone of Japan, and is 9 hours ahead of UTC. For example, when it is midnight in UTC, it is 09:00 in Japan Standard Time. There is no daylight saving time, though its introduction has been debated several times. Japan Standard Time is the same as...
.
Regular cast
- DowntownDowntown (owarai)is a Japanese comedy duo from Amagasaki, Hyōgo consisting of and . Formed in 1982, they are one of the most influential and prolific kombi in Japan today...
, one of the most influential and prolific kombi in Japan, who are known for their sarcastic, short-tempered stage personasPersonasIn marketing and user-centered design, personas are fictional characters created to represent the different user types within a targeted demographic, attitude and/or behavior set that might use a site, brand or product in a similar way. Personas are a tool or method of market segmentation...
.
}, the boke half of Downtown. Absurdism
Absurdism
In philosophy, "The Absurd" refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek value and meaning in life and the human inability to find any...
, sarcasm
Sarcasm
Sarcasm is “a sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt.” Though irony and understatement is usually the immediate context, most authorities distinguish sarcasm from irony; however, others argue that sarcasm may or often does involve irony or employs...
, and a blunt, ill-tempered persona make up his comedic style. Deadpan
Deadpan
Deadpan is a form of comic delivery in which humor is presented without a change in emotion or body language, usually speaking in a casual, monotone, solemn, blunt, disgusted or matter-of-fact voice and expressing an unflappably calm, archly insincere or artificially grave demeanor...
is his forté, but he can slip into exaggerated reactions as well. He is often described as an "M", or masochist.
}, the tsukkomi half of Downtown. His quick temper, displays of schadenfreude
Schadenfreude
Schadenfreude is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. This German word is used as a loanword in English and some other languages, and has been calqued in Danish and Norwegian as skadefryd and Swedish as skadeglädje....
, and tendency to hit people on their heads are notorious in the owarai
Owarai
is a broad word used to describe Japanese comedy as seen on television. The word owarai is the honorific form of the word warai, meaning "a laugh" or "a smile". Owarai is most common on Japanese variety shows and the comedians are referred to as owarai geinin or owarai tarento...
world. He is often described as an "S", or sadist., part of the regular cast since 1995. His role on the show is usually divided up between the suberi-kyara (the unfunny character who tries very hard to be funny, but fails) and the ijime-kyara (the underdog who gets bullied and picked on, often physically).
- CocoricoCocorico (comedy duo), also romanized as Coq au Rico, is a Japanese comedy duo consisting of and . They are best known for making up the cast of the popular and long-running variety show, Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!....
, part of the regular cast since 1997.
}, the boke half of Cocorico.
}, the tsukkomi half of Cocorico.
Supporting cast
- License ( and ). A comedy duo that works at the show and has occasionally joined the regular cast. Fujiwara is also known as "Vacuum Fujiwara" because of his eating ability, which is used as a running gag in some skits.. Left the regular cast in 1996 to pursue a painting career. He has subsequently made several appearances in pre-taped segments that are shown to the cast in the "No-Laughing" batsu games, since 2005. In the videos, Onishi portrays an inane version of himself appearing in various roles, saying or doing things that are inane/off-the-wall, usually repeatedly, in an attempt to make the cast laugh.. Chief producer. Appears in various sketches, usually as himself, as well as cosplaying as various characters during batsu games. As well as appearing in person during these, his likeness is often used for comedic effect in various ways—for instance, appearing on humorous posters, or as a stone bust. The name "Gāsū" (ガースー), a reversal of the kanaKanaKana are the syllabic Japanese scripts, as opposed to the logographic Chinese characters known in Japan as kanji and the Roman alphabet known as rōmaji...
in his given name, is also referenced in similar ways.. Set design, assistant director. Usually referred to by his nickname, Heipō (ヘイポー). Several sketches and games are based on his complete inability to stomach scary things (however silly they may be) and his perverted nature.. Downtown's former manager. Often seen cosplaying as a female character during batsu games, where he meets up with the participants and guides them through the game. He often stutters and speaks incoherently, and generally displays a great deal of incompetence in serious matters.. Producer.. A member of the comedy duo 130R and former cast member of Downtown's Gottsu Ee Kanji. Appears often in batsu games. Itao has had six different women portraying his "wife" throughout the series, one of whom, Sherri, is best known for her dancing along to Madonna in the Highschool batsu game. Sherri's popularity has spread beyond the Downtown series.
Recurring guests
- Ameagari KesshitaiAmeagari Kesshitai, also known simply as Ameagari, is a Japanese comedy duo consisting of Hiroyuki Miyasako and Tōru Hotohara . They are from Osaka and, like most other comedians from the kansai region, are employed by Yoshimoto Kōgyō....
( and ). A comedy duo that has occasionally joined the regular cast. and ; literally, Old Lady #1 and Old Lady #2. Two elderly women who often appear in the batsu games, dressed in strange outfits (on one occasion they dressed as t.A.T.u.T.A.T.u.t.A.T.u. was a duo formed in Moscow, Russia in 1999 by Ivan Shapovalov. The group consisted of Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova.Their debut single "Ya Soshla S Uma" was released in December 2000. The single had a huge success in Russia and Eastern Europe...
) or getting the cast into compromising positions. A running gag is that of cast members being forced to French kissFrench kissA French kiss is a kiss in which one participant's tongue touches the partner's lips or tongue and usually enters his or her mouth. A French kiss is a slow passionate kiss which is usually considered intimate, romantic, erotic or sexual...
Obachan Ichigo. - David Hossein, known as Konya ga Yamada ( or , literally "Tonight is Yamada"). Former manager of Thane CamusThane Camus-Biography:Camus was born in New York on November 27, 1970. He is the grandson of Nobel Prize laureate novelist/philosopher Albert Camus. Camus arrived in Japan in 1980 and graduated from a board school in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. He was the first male graduate of St. Maur International...
. He played a role as a ringside doctor in Dynamite Shikoku's wrestling matches (Dynamite being a character played by Endō). During the "No Laughing" batsu games, he says his name over and over in different variations (sometimes singing it) while the cast try to sleep. "Konya ga yama da" means "tonight is crucial" in Japanese, but Yamada intentionally mispronounces, breaks up, or makes strange mutations of the phrase, such as "Honya ga yama da", translated as "The Bookstore is crucial", etc. Director role played by Craig Nine. A film crew consisting of a director, sound man, & camera man, who supposedly come all the way from Africa to suddenly interview cast members. While being interviewed, the director shows cue cards for instructions such as "Show your genitals". The Director also has a tendency to cut people off in the middle of speaking, or making them extend their answers for Yes, No questions. Africa Chūō TV has appeared in various Batsu Games, New Year Specials, & Mori Man Yamazaki Wresting match.. Another comedian who makes appearances during the batsu games. His signature trick is sticking things up his nose and coughing it out through his mouth. This gag consistently makes the cast laugh.. A former Miss Japan who later became a physician. She makes a guest appearance as Heipō's "date," as the medical examiner in the police batsu game, and as the anesthesiologist in the hospital batsu game. Her roles tend to be sadistic, often used to great humorous effect. She also appeared in an episode where Endō was trying to find a "new" Chiaki through a "Chiaki Audition".. Endō's ex-wife (they divorced in December 2007). Chiaki usually appears in the No-Laughing batsu games, doing something cute and attempting to make the cast laugh. Since the batsu games frequently have the cast stuck in a waiting room or hotel room between skits, another running gag involves Endō being tricked into opening a desk drawer and finding several pictures of his wife in it. (In the No-Laughing High School batsu game, a recording of Endō shouting "Chiaki! I love you!" was played twice while the cast attempted to sleep, and Endō's PE shirt had "Chiaki LOVE" written in pink letters on a pink tag in lieu of his name.) During the Hospital Batsu Game, she appeared as a nurse to give Endō words of encouragement. Endō states that they had talked the night before about whether or not she had any involvement with the game and she lied to him that she didn't. The divorce of the couple has not put an end to her appearances in the batsu games. In segments mainly targeting Endo, she claims to have found a new husband only known as "Shin-Onii", a play on her old nickname for her ex-husband.. Hitoshi Matsumoto's older brother. He makes occasional appearances in the batsu games, sometimes singing and playing guitar. Not to be mistaken for guitarist Takahiro Matsumoto of the popular rock band B'zB'zis a Japanese hard rock duo, composed of and .B'z has released 45 consecutive #1 singles, 24 #1 albums, and sold more than 79 million records in Japan alone...
. In the Hospital Batsu Game, Hitoshi Matsumoto finds a fake book in his drawer written by his brother, titled "Hitoshi, Do You Remember These?". A strange girl who often tries to talk to the cast (much to their dismay) during the No-Laughing games. She often lures them into mistakenly talking to her (such as calling them to her bathroom in the No-Laughing High School game or making them open a car, only to find her terribly drunk and lingering in the back seat in the No-Laughing Police Station game) and will latch onto some part of their body when the victim tries to leave. Her years as a comedienne are often used as a running gag whenever she encounters Endō, as she has been in the entertainment business for a longer period of time.. a retired professional wrestler. He debuted in the Hospital Batsu and has subsequently been a recurring guest. His signature is to shout "GOD DAMN!" upon introduction or when entering a room. A running gag starting from the Hospital Batsu has Chono smacking Yamazaki violently across the face after Yamazaki has apparently crossed him. Yamazaki is in fact the victim of a setup in these cases. Yamazaki reacts with extreme fear of the slap, usually resulting in screaming and begging, to which invokes a lot of laughter in his coworkers and leading to their own punishments.. A rakugoRakugois a Japanese verbal entertainment. The lone sits on the stage, called the . Using only a paper fan and a small cloth as props, and without standing up from the seiza sitting position, the rakugo artist depicts a long and complicated comical story...
artist. He is also known for the ショウヘイヘイ!(Shōhei-Hey!) phrase said in the police batsu game. He also appears in person in the hospital and newspaper games. - Shoji Murakami.
- Moriman.
- Piccadilly Umeda.
- Egashira 2:50Egashira 2:50is a Japanese comedian born on July 1, 1965 whose home town is Chiyoda, Saga Prefecture. His nickname is "Ega-chan" .A 2005 Oricon and 2002 - 2008 Nikkei Entertainment! poll named him as the most annoying comedian in Japan because of his obscene and vulgar comedic style...
.
Batsu Games
Batsu game
A Batsu game , meaning "penalty game", is a common element in Japanese owarai stage comedy and variety shows. The name comes from batsu , meaning both "punishment" and "X", as in an incorrect answer.- Definition :...
s, or punishment games, in which one or more of the cast members are subjected to after losing bets, major competition, or physical challenges.
The "No Laughing" Batsu Game itself (broadcast annually during the New Year's Holiday) was first introduced in 2003. The premise of each "No Laughing"-punishment game is, the losing members of the cast have to endure many compromising, absurd, generally ridiculous situations for a long period of time (up to 24-hours, thus far) but must refrain from laughing at any of them. Whenever someone does laugh, and he is caught by A Watcher, the announcer of the game will declare that person as having just become "out" (アウト or a-u-to in Katakana
Katakana
is a Japanese syllabary, one component of the Japanese writing system along with hiragana, kanji, and in some cases the Latin alphabet . The word katakana means "fragmentary kana", as the katakana scripts are derived from components of more complex kanji. Each kana represents one mora...
); immediately afterwards, the appropriate number of "hang-men" will come out to mete the rule breaker's punishment. (To date, this has been executed via single strikes on the buttocks {or somewhere in that area} with a weapon — one which does not change mid-game.)
To keep the participants on their toes, there have been occasions where other conditions besides laughing had been set that could make them out, if fulfilled; also, the "victors" of the preliminary trial (if there are any) can make appearances during games to wreak further mischief and potentially cause even more discomfort to the losers.
List of Batsu Games
The following is a complete list of batsu games featured on Gaki no Tsukai.- Jan. 23, 1990: Havoc Maker In The Morning News
After losing a bet (Bet aired on Jan. 16, 1990) on who would win the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
Kohaku Uta Gassen
, more commonly known as simply Kōhaku, is an annual music show on New Year's Eve produced by Japanese public broadcaster NHK and broadcast on both television and radio, nationally and internationally by NHK's networks and some overseas broadcasters which bought the program...
singing competition, Matsumoto had to wreak havoc in the morning news show "Zoom In!! Asa!" that was broadcast live
Live television
Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...
.
- May 8, 1990: Advertising the Show in a S&M Way
Matsumoto played a game of shiritori
Shiritori
Shiritori is a Japanese word game in which the players are required to say a word which begins with the final kana of the previous word. No distinction is made between hiragana, katakana and kanji...
(Game aired on Apr. 24, 1990) with Hamada, with an additional rule: all words used were to contain the syllable "su" (す). Matsumoto lost the game after he repeated one of his words. As a consequence, he had to advertise Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende! on TV, in a sadomasochistic way.
- Aug. 7, 1990: Hamada 4000 Meter skydive
Hamada lost a bet (Bet aired on Jul. 24, 1990) to Matsumoto, in which they predicted who would win the 1990 Japan Series
Japan Series
, or is the annual championship series in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top baseball league in Japan. It is a seven-game series between the winning clubs of the league's two circuits, the Central League and the Pacific League....
in Nippon Professional Baseball. The batsu Game for Hamada would be to skydive from a height of 4000 meters above ground.
- Dec. 25, 1990: Welcome!
Hamada won a golf game (Game aired on Dec. 11, 1990) and Matsumoto had to welcome a group of people into a room, dressed in a kimono
Kimono
The is a Japanese traditional garment worn by men, women and children. The word "kimono", which literally means a "thing to wear" , has come to denote these full-length robes...
and make-up, portraying a female Japanese hostess.
- Feb. 19, 1991: Swim In The Winter!
Matsumoto lost a baseball game (Game aired on Feb. 12, 1991) and had to swim in the chilly waters, together with his team.
- Jun. 4, 1991: Roller Coaster
This is the first time audiences are involved. Matsumoto and 500 other people competed in a dodgeball game (Game aired on May 28, 1991) with Hamada and 500 other people. Matsumoto lost the game and had to take a roller coaster ride with a bald wig.
- Jan. 19, 1992: Beeeeeeep
This is the second time Hamada and Matsumoto bet (Bet aired on Dec. 29, 1991) on who would win the Kōhaku singing competition. Matsumoto lost and had to be the SMPTE color bars
SMPTE color bars
The SMPTE color bars are a type of television test pattern, and is most commonly used in countries where the NTSC video standard is dominant, such as those in North America. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers refers to this test pattern as Engineering Guideline EG 1-1990...
background for the Morning News broadcast 'Live' on TV.
- Jun. 26, 1992: The Seal
Hamada team and Matsumoto team played a rugby match (Match aired on Jun. 7, 1992) and Matsumoto lost. He had to act like a trained seal and listen to orders by his 'master' Hamada.
- Jan. 17, 1993: Am I stupid?
This was the third time Hamada and Matsumoto bet (Bet aired on Dec. 20, 1992) on who would win the Kōhaku singing competition. Matsumoto lost again and had to be a white dove (the mascot of Nihon Television) for the Morning News broadcast 'Live' on TV, singing the lyrics "Am I stupid? Am I a fool?" to the tune of the NTV logo jingle.
- Jul 25, 1993: Hama-chan France Evian Trip
Matsumoto challenged Hamada to a high-jump competition (Competition aired on Jul. 11, 1993) and Hamada lost at 1.4m. He had to go to Évian-les-Bains
Évian-les-Bains
Évian-les-Bains or Évian is a commune in the northern part of the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
with the crew to get Matsumoto a bottle of Evian
Evian
Evian is a French brand of mineral water coming from several sources near Évian-les-Bains, on the south shore of Lake Geneva.Today, Evian is owned by Danone Group, a French multinational company...
mineral water straight from the source.
- Feb. 6, 1994: Matsumoto and His Mother
This was the fourth time Hamada and Matsumoto bet (Bet aired on Dec. 26, 1993) on who would win the Kōhaku singing competition. Matsumoto lost again and had to do a comedy skit with his mother on a midnight programme.
- Apr. 12, 1995: Hama-chan New York City Mechanical Pencil Trip
This was the fifth time Hamada and Matsumoto bet (Bet aired on Dec. 18, 1994) on who would win the Kōhaku singing competition. Hamada lost and had to go to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with Suga Kenji to fetch a mechanical pencil
Mechanical pencil
A mechanical pencil or a propelling pencil is a pencil with a replaceable and mechanically extendable solid pigment core called a lead . It is designed such that the lead can be extended as its point is worn away...
that Matsumoto lent to composer Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
. On returning, Matsumoto discovers that the rubber on top of the mechanical pencil is missing so Hamada had to return to New York and recover the rubber.
- Aug. 23, 1998: Gakitanic (Gaki no tsukai — Hamada L.A. de Okan to TITANIC!!)
Hamada loses a golf challenge against the rest of the cast (Challenge aired on May 24, 1998) and must go to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
with Matsumoto's mother to shoot the love scene from Titanic
Titanic (1997 film)
Titanic is a 1997 American epic romance and disaster film directed, written, co-produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. A fictionalized account of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, it stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson, Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater and Billy Zane as Rose's fiancé, Cal...
.
- Apr. 25 & May 2, 1999: Hama-chan 24 hour Nitterre
Hamada loses a golf challenge against the rest of the cast (Challenge aired on Oct. 18, 1998) and had to do about 30 advertisements for Nitterre over a 24-hour period.
- Nov. 21 & 28, 1999: Yamasaki's Hitori Bocchino piano concert
In "Gaki no tsukai - YAMASAKI Scale ga Chiisai Saiban", Yamasaki is brought into the Gaki no Tsukai court to stand trial for the scaredy-cat disposition he exhibits during events, games, and with co-workers.
He gets convicted, and is forced to endure the appropriate batsu game as a consequence - a 1-night stay at the empty high-school to play a series of one-piece recitals without being scared by all the traps that were set up for him.
- Mar. 26, Apr. 2 & 9, 2000: 24-Hour Tag/Onigokko (鬼ごっこ)
A batsu game that took place over the period of 24 hours where all the cast, except Matsumoto, are locked in a sports arena, playing "tag" with various Oni (demons) (who, here,—except for two or three instances {that were on film},—were men dressed in full-body black suits) that were "summoned" to attack at random moments, each with a specific type of punishment written on the suit to be inflicted whenever the victims were tagged. This batsu game is the result of Matsumoto winning the race against the four others in "Gaki no tsukai - 4 tai 1 100m sou Taiketsu!" (on Oct. 17, 1999).
- Aug. 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2001: Haunted Hotel
After Matsumoto loses a swimming match (match aired on Feb. 11, 2001) against the other four cast members, a batsu game is set at a "haunted ryokan", where Matsumoto must remain overnight. He endures ghost apparitions, a seemingly empty samurai suit that comes alive, and random knocks on walls, among other things. The other four cast members attend to support him in controlling his fear, but end up scaring him as well.
- Aug. 4 & 11, 2002: Matsumoto Family Rangers
(Gaki no tsukai - Souchou Matsumoto RENJAI SHOW!!)
Matsumoto's team (compiled of him and Heipo) loses to Hamada's team in a long-jump segment (long-jump aired on May 5, 2002) due to Heipo's jump failing to beat the other team and has to perform with his father, mother, older sister, and brother as a Sentai/Power Ranger team.
- Nov. 3, 2002: No-Reaction Pie Hell (ノーリアクションパイ地獄)
In this game, Matsumoto is punished for losing a bet (bet aired on Oct. 27, 2002) with Hamada over the 2002 Japan Series. In their bet, Hamada picked the Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...
while Matsumoto picked the Seibu Lions
Seibu Lions
The are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based west of Tokyo in Tokorozawa, Saitama. Before 1979, they were based in Fukuoka in Kyushu. The team is owned by a subsidiary of Prince Hotels, which in turn is owned by the Seibu Group...
; the Giants won the series four games to none. Matsumoto's punishment was having to spend a day at home while Hamada, Endō, Tanaka and Yamasaki threw pies at him (after showering and in bed) and everything he touched (including a television set and a toaster), non-stop. Matsumoto had to ignore all of this while following prompts from a narrator over the sound-system.
- Jul. 27, Aug. 3, 10 & 17, 2003: No-Laughing Hot Spring Inn
The first No-Laughing Batsu Game, shot in Yamanashi, it served as the punishment for Matsumoto, Yamasaki, Endō, and Tanaka, for losing to Hamada in a 4 vs. 1 bowling match (which aired on May 18, 2003).
Getting caught laughing during this game resulted in having a dart from a blow-gun shot into the buttocks. Given the newness of the concept, this punishment game was carried out in a somewhat "primitive" way: the Watchers were more lenient with enforcing the rule, and the auto sound blared rough over the sound-system that was set up through the facility.
Dec. 14 & 21, 2003: Hama-chan Vladivostok Back Hand
On Oct. 5, 2003, Hamada lost once again to Matsumoto on who would win the 2003 Japan Series, and being unable to see the front side of things, Hamada is forced to go to Vladivostok in order to receive a back hand slap to the face as part of a batsu game. During the game, everything is done in reverse; hotel rooms have everything upside down, Hamada gets pictures of himself and the backs of statues, and many people as well as streets and objects appear during the trip with 'ura' in their names (a pun on 'back') such as former Giants baseball player Hisao Niura.
- No Laughing in Yugawara (2004)
In a Russian Roulette style game involving sushi, Yamasaki, Tanaka, and Hamada lost and were punished in the second spa-themed no-laughing batsu game, filmed at Yugawara, Kanagawa
Yugawara, Kanagawa
is a town located in Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 2010, the town had an estimated population of 26,729 and a density of 655 persons per km²...
. A riding crop
Crop (implement)
A crop, sometimes called a riding crop or hunting crop, is a short type of whip without a lash, used in horse riding, part of the family of tools known as horse whips.-Types and uses:...
was the punishment device employed. Matsumoto and Endo joined the game half-way as "The Mad Brothers." This batsu game features Endō's luchador
Lucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
character Dynamite Shikoku.
- No-Laughing High School (2005)
Matsumoto, Yamasaki, Endō, and Tanaka are punished after losing another Russian Roulette style game where they shocked themselves. This time, they are sent to 'high school' for one day. The punishment weapon for this game is the shinai
Shinai
is a weapon used for practice and competition in kendo representing a Japanese sword. Shinai are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently from kendo shinai, and represented with different characters....
, and Hamada participated as one of the hang-men. It was revealed that this game was shot during Matsumoto's birthday.
- No-Laughing Police Station (2006)
This batsu game premiered as a three-hour special. The losing players were Yamasaki, Hamada, and Endō, who lost at a Russian Roulette style game using large tubs suspended from the studio ceiling, and cutting loose the one's that fell, thus earning them a spot in the Batsu Game. Matsumoto and Tanaka avoided the batsu, and later appeared in the game, visiting the three punished players. The hang-men were especially rough when giving discipline to offenders.
- No-Laughing Hospital (2007)
For this special, Downtown, Yamasaki, and Coq au Rico all took part of the most infamous punishment game — and they were forced to cross-dress as nurses for this one. Yamasaki, who had just completed a hospital stay after being treated for enteritis
Enteritis
In medicine, enteritis, from Greek words enteron and suffix -itis , refers to inflammation of the small intestine. It is most commonly caused by the ingestion of substances contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, dehydration and fever...
, was permitted to take some absences during the game. Among the famous guests who performed here were Sonny Chiba
Sonny Chiba
, also known as Sonny Chiba, is a Japanese actor, singer, film producer, film director and martial artist.Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later before an international audience.- Early life :Born in Fukuoka, Fukuoka,...
, Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
and many other comedy duos in Japan. (As a side note, it was during this game that the record for most punishment-strikes ever inflicted was set, with Hitoshi Matsumoto having received a total of 259 of them.)
- No-Laughing Newspaper Agency (2008)
For the second time around, all five members of the regular cast took part in the annual punishment game. This year the chosen setting was a newspaper agency. The members had to go to a number of mock press conferences dressed as journalists. Endō's ex-wife Chiaki
Chiaki (tarento)
, Full name , is a Japanese tarento whose career ranges from singing, baby clothes designing, to voice-acting etc.- Biography :Chiaki was born in Maizuru, Kyoto on October 26, 1971 as the daughter of the chairman of Nippon Sheet Glass. Due to her father's job, she moved to Ichihara, Chiba soon...
made a guest appearance in a conference about her "new husband." In keeping with the theme of the punishment game, giant latex pencils were used to strike anyone who had been declared out.
- No-Laughing Hotel Employee (2009)
For the third consecutive time, Yamazaki, Downtown, and Coq au Rico took part in the annual punishment game. The setting was a hotel and it aired on New Year's Eve at 6:30pm until 12:30am on New Year's Day. Numerous cameo and guest appearances were made, including Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
, Masahiro Tanaka
Masahiro Tanaka
is a Japanese starting pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.Tanaka led his team to a championship in the National High School Baseball tournament as a junior for Komazawa University Tomakomai High School in and a runner-up berth in the same tournament as a senior in...
, Natsumi Ogawa ( Hamada's wife ), Endō's ex-wife Chiaki
Chiaki (tarento)
, Full name , is a Japanese tarento whose career ranges from singing, baby clothes designing, to voice-acting etc.- Biography :Chiaki was born in Maizuru, Kyoto on October 26, 1971 as the daughter of the chairman of Nippon Sheet Glass. Due to her father's job, she moved to Ichihara, Chiba soon...
, Jyunji Endō ( Endō's younger brother), Masako Mori, Ayumi Nakamura, Monta Yoshinori, and Yoshimi Iwasaki
Yoshimi Iwasaki
Yoshimi Iwasaki is a singer and actress. She is notable for singing various theme songs for the TV anime series Touch. In 2008, she joined the fantasy band Sound Horizon for the release of their 6th story CD Moira...
.
- No-Laughing Spy School/Secret Agent (2010)
The members of Gaki no Tsukai partake in their fourth annual punishment game. Filmed in Ibaraki prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan, located in the Kantō region on the main island of Honshu. The capital is Mito.-History:Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as Hitachi Province...
, this year's setting was a spy school and it was aired on New Year's Eve at 6:30pm to 12:30am on New Year's Day. Over 100 celebrities were involved with the filming including Itao Itsuji, Matsuko Deluxe, Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
, Bibari Maeda, Claudia Umemiya and Tatsuo Umemiya.
- No-Laughing Airport (2011)
The Gaki no Tsukai cast participate in the 5th annual punishment game (the 6th ever in the No Laughing Series). The filming took place at Ibaraki Airport where the cast trained to become flight attendants. Airing will begin on New Year's Eve 12/31/11 at 6:30pm and run through 12:30am the next day Japanese Standard Time.
Silent Library
In Silent Library (サイレント図書館, Sairento Toshokan), the cast and a sixth member, usually Heipo, are in a staged library in which one of them has to undergo a punishment upon choosing the card with the skull and crossbonesSkull and crossbones
A skull and crossbones is a symbol consisting of a human skull and two long bones crossed together under the skull. It is generally used as a warning of danger, usually in regard to poisonous substances, such as deadly chemicals.-History of the symbol:...
on it (similar to Russian roulette
Russian roulette
Russian roulette is a potentially lethal game of chance in which participants place a single round in a revolver, spin the cylinder, place the muzzle against their head and pull the trigger...
). Although the game requires that they remain silent during the entire segment, the members repeatedly let out bursts of muffled laughter that is loud enough for the occupants of the library to hear. An example of punishments are being "Outwitted" (having a nose hair pulled from the nostril), "Nose Fishing" (a metal clamp attached to the inside of both nostrils being pulled), and "Hot Earmuffs" (boiled earmuffs
Earmuffs
Earmuffs are objects designed to cover a person's ears for protection. They consist of a thermoplastic or metal head-band, that fits over the top of the head, and a pad at each end, to cover the external ears....
put on both ears). Former K-1
K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
champion Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Hoost
Ernesto Fritz "Mr. Perfect" Hoost is a Dutch former kickboxer and four-time K-1 World Champion. He made his debut in 1993 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 1993, where he came just one win short of the world title...
once made a special appearance, as well as writer and film director Koki Mitani
Koki Mitani
is a Japanese playwright, screenwriter, actor and film director. He was previously married to Japanese actress Satomi Kobayashi. The name "Koki" is a combination of two Japanese characters - 幸 "Happy" and 喜 "Pleased". In an attempt to add his own character to his movies, as a director he takes...
.
This segment was adapted into an American game show, called Silent Library
Silent Library (MTV Series)
Silent Library was an American television game show which airs on MTV and MuchMusic. The series is based on one of the segments in the popular Japanese variety show Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!...
. The international version of the show is referred to as Fist of Zen
Fist of Zen
Fist of Zen is an MTV reality game show. It was modeled after the Silent Library segment from the Japanese comedy show Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!-Plot:...
. It debuted on MTV on June 15, 2009.
Chinko Machine
Countdown with Keith Olbermann
Countdown with Keith Olbermann is an hour-long weeknight news and political commentary program that airs on Current TV, where it began airing on June 20, 2011. The program was broadcast on MSNBC from March 31, 2003, to January 21, 2011. On MSNBC, the show presented five selected news stories of...
as "Reason Number 261 (of 527) why Japanese television is better than ours."
Ass Game
In this game, one contestant is strapped to a chair while another contestant is carried by a statue which rests on conveyors, with his legs split open, thus leaving his underwear-covered genital regions aligned towards the head of the strapped contestant. As the two are asked questions, their answer must be the same. If their answers do not match, the contestant on the conveyor's genital regions brought closer to the head of the strapped contestant. If most of their answers do not match, the genital regions are pressed against the head of the strapped contestant. The contestants were Matsumoto Hitoshi, Naoki Tanaka, Hamada Masatoshi, and Yamazaki Hosei.Marshmallow Rubber Band
In this game during an episode of oogiri daigassen, the contestants are divided into Red and Blue teams. The rules consist of the contenders having to eat a marshmallowMarshmallow
The marshmallow is a confection that, in its modern form, typically consists of sugar, corn syrup, water, gelatin that has been softened in hot water, dextrose, vanilla flavourings, and sometimes colouring, whipped to a spongy consistency. Some marshmallow recipes call for egg whites...
dangling from a string, while they are hindered by a rubber band which is put across their face. They are not allowed to use their hands to grab the marshmallow, although the other contestants are allowed to straighten the strings which the marshmallows are attached to. The entire game ended with the Blue team as the victors.
7 Henge
Shichi-henge (七変化, literally The Seven Apparitions) is a segment of the show where the cast and crew sit at a table while a comedian attempts to make them laugh. For each round that a person laughs, they must put 1,000 yen into a box; the collected money is donated to a charity of the comedian's choice. Bob SappBob Sapp
Robert Malcolm "Bob" Sapp is an American kickboxer, mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, actor, comedian and former professional American football player. Sapp currently has a combined fight record of 21–21–0, mostly fighting in Japan...
once made a special appearance on this segment in which he collected 53,000 yen, at that time the record for any comedian during this segment. The record is currently held by Koumoto Junichi (河本準一).
A variation on this, "Horror Shichi-henge," involved several members of the cast and crew ambushing Heipō with the intent of causing him to lose his composure and thus be forced to surrender money.
Absolutely Tasty Series
This is a series of cooking segments in which the comedians prepare foods, either traditional Japanese dishes like taiyakiTaiyaki
is a Japanese fish-shaped cake. The most common filling is red bean paste that is made from sweetened azuki beans. Other common fillings may be custard, chocolate, or cheese. Some shops even sell taiyaki with okonomiyaki, gyoza filling, or a sausage inside....
, takoyaki, nabe and chawanmushi
Chawanmushi
Chawanmushi is an egg custard dish found in Japan that uses the seeds of ginkgo. Unlike many other custards, it is usually eaten as an appetizer...
or foods like pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
, with unusual ingredients to use as fillings or flavors, which is eaten later and given a score ranging from two "skull marks" to ten stars. However, in recent episodes, the cast ignores the rating system more frequently, instead resorting to giving unpleasant dishes various numbers of "ass hairs" and "pubic hairs" Endo is notorious for using Frisk
Frisk
Frisk is a surname of Swedish origin, one of many Swedish army names originally given to soldiers to make their names more distinctive;-People:*Anders Frisk, Swedish former football referee*Helena Frisk, Swedish politician of the Social Democratic Party...
, a brand of very strong breath mint, in his food. The results are usually disastrous and very distasteful. Matsumoto usually introduces very unusual ingredients such as a bear's paw for takikomi gohan
Takikomi gohan
Takikomi gohan is a Japanese rice dish seasoned with dashi and soy sauce along with mushrooms, vegetables, meat, or fish. The ingredients of takikomi gohan are cooked with the rice; in a similar preparation, maze gohan, flavorful ingredients are mixed into cooked rice...
, pig
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
's and tuna
Tuna
Tuna is a salt water fish from the family Scombridae, mostly in the genus Thunnus. Tuna are fast swimmers, and some species are capable of speeds of . Unlike most fish, which have white flesh, the muscle tissue of tuna ranges from pink to dark red. The red coloration derives from myoglobin, an...
's head for pizza, a dried cobra
Cobra
Cobra is a venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae. However, not all snakes commonly referred to as cobras are of the same genus, or even of the same family. The name is short for cobra capo or capa Snake, which is Portuguese for "snake with hood", or "hood-snake"...
for nabe
Nabemono
Nabemono or simply called nabe, is a term referring to all varieties of Japanese steamboat dishes, also known as one pot dishes....
, and toothpaste for pasta.
History of Batsu
This a recap of a number of batsu games that have been released since 1989, the debut year of Gaki no Tsukai.Kiki Series
This is a series of competitions where each member tastes a randomly selected product, mostly food and drink but once cigarettes, from many different brands blindfolded. After the tasting period, they must find the product they tasted. Anyone who selects correctly will receive a prize money, usually 100,000 yen, otherwise they take a variety of punishments, such as being hit in the groin by a Chinko Machine or getting slapped by a foreigner.Goodbye, Yamasaki
An annual running gag since 2001, the audience is told that Yamasaki is leaving the show (when he really is not). This includes farewell speeches from the cast and some crew members, who give flowers to a distressed Yamasaki. Yamasaki then makes his own speech, but ends up sobbing hysterically and is dragged offstage. However, this always ends with Yamasaki telling them that he's not leaving, because he pulled a prank on Downtown and Cocorico.High Tension Series
This is a series where comedians perform their special high-tension acts. There are two patterns of the show. One is in"The Best Ten" show, which is a parody of countdown shows. The hosts are Hamada and Matsumoto, wearing a black tuxedo and a woman's dress, respectively. The other is in a team competition between Team Hamada and Team Matsumoto.
In "The Best Ten" format, three other regular casts also perform and usually present in certain places; Tanaka at the 10th, Endo, usually with greased hair and wears nothing but white underpants, in the top half, and Yamasaki at the 1st.
Genkai series
The Genkai series is a series of challenges involving foods and how much they can change the pronunciation of these foods while still being able to order them at a restaurant or cafe. For example, for one challenge, they started with ordering "ice coffee" at a cafe, then switched to "ice moffee", "nice coffee", "mice moffee", "nice coach", "aisou warai" (a phrase meaning "pretending to laugh when it's not funny"), "coffee coffee", "atsui coffee" (meaning "hot coffee"), "tansu nouhin" ("dresser delivery"), "aitsu mouii" ("i've had enough of that guy"), "high society", "iron hero", and finally "OuYang FeiFei" (a Chinese singer). Predictably, the waiter/waitress becomes confused and either gives up trying to understand or berates the person ordering.Other challenges include: Hiyashi Chuuka "cold noodles", Mild Seven "a cigarette brand", Katsu Kare "pork cutlet and curry rice", Chashumen "ramen noodles with chashu pork", Naporitan "spaghetti-like noodles", Omuraisu "rice with ketchup and egg"
Gas Nuki
The cast enter a restaurant where they have to fart to eat the next meal course. Done in a French restaurant and a Sushi restaurant.Yamasaki vs. Moriman
A series of comedic fighting bouts between Yamasaki and Holstein Morio of the female comedian duo Moriman. The main running gag is that Yamasaki has never won a match since 1996.The event also features Endo's wrestling alter ego Dynamite Shikoku. He is accompanied to the ring by 2 women in kimonos and proceeds to fight in a match. The running gag is that he pulls a leg muscle during the match, and he always loses. After being checked out by the ringside doctor (Konya Ga Yamada), the match ends and Shikoku stands back up to address the crowd. After the speech he invites the crowd to join him in his trademark dance and is promptly taken out of the ring in a stretcher.
Technician Challenge
The Technician Challenge series is a series of sex-related challenges from Matsumoto to the other regular members, expanding in later series to include some semi-regulars. Matsumoto sends a letter, including a hand-drawn map, to the assembled other members through his manager. The manager leads the members to Matsumoto, who explains the challenge. Each challenge is sex-related and comes with an appropriate punishment for the lowest achiever. The first challenge was speed bra-unhooking, where the members had to unhook the bras on a certain number of mannequins as quickly as possible. Other challenges include speed kissing (kissing plastic lips on the walls while traveling through a corridor), speed nipple-play (pressing the nipples of mannequins with bells for breasts), speed hip movement (pumping an air pump using their hips), and speed panty removal (removing the panties from ten mannequins using only their feet). The punishments all followed the theme of the challenge (speed bra-unhooking had the worst achiever walk around town wearing a bra, speed panty removal had the worst achiever walk around town wearing panties on his head).Shoji Murakami's Class Series
A series where the cast learns to be a worker in a specific occupation. Shoji Murakami usually has everyone try out and do absurd or abnormal activities. Some notable occupations include: pilot, green beret, ninja, ghostbusters, geisha, dracula, etc.500 Quizzes
A Person is asked 500 questions, which are all asking for the opinion of the person. These questions usually begin with "What is your favourite?", "Which is the most interesting?", etc. The cast of Gaki no Tsukai is then at a desk predicting the answer to that certain question. A matching answer will earn them a point. After 500 questions, either the person with the most points wins a prize or the person with the least points gets a punishment. Notable people who were questioned were: Tanaka, Hamada, Yamasaki's wife Aya, a singer Wada Akiko, a famous makeup artist IKKO, Sano Motoharu, Matsuko Deluxe, journalist and broadcaster Tahara Sōichirō, Downtown's former manager Fujiwara Hiroshi and a famous manga artistMangaka
is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese...
Kazuo Umezu
Kazuo Umezu
, is an author of Japanese horror and other manga, as well as a musician and actor.He had his first book of manga published while still in high school and made manga his career immediately upon graduation...
.
Five Rangers Game
In this challenge, all five cast members enter separate dressing rooms and each randomly dress as one of the five colors of Gorenjai (sentaiSuper Sentai
The is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
characters from Downtown's other show, Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji
Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji
Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji , translated as Downtown's Feelin' Real Good, was a Japanese variety show. It premiered on December 8, 1991 and ended its run on November 2, 1997. It aired on Fuji Television every Sunday night...
), and they attempt to complete all five different colors in 6 hours. The chance that the five cast members choose all different colors is 120/3125 (3.84%). The challenge is based on the main running gag of the Gorenjai sketches: that the team members couldn't decide who wore which colors.
On occasion, Ameagari Kesshitai join the regular cast in a Seven Rangers Game (nanarenjai), featuring two additional colors (black and white) added to the regular Gorenjai color configuration. The other rules are exactly the same as in a Five Rangers Game.
Cosplay Bus Tour series
The bus series usually includes the main cast plus some of the producers or guests cosplayCosplay
, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Characters are often drawn from popular fiction in Japan, but recent trends have included American cartoons and science fiction...
ing or dressing up in drag and playing mini games in a bus going around popular Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
locations. When one of the players loses a mini-game, he is dropped off in a public location and forced to walk back to the studio alone and looking quite absurd. Past themes include female anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
characters, kogal
Kogal
The kogal fashion involves wearing an outfit based on a Japanese school uniform, but with a shortened skirt, loose socks, and often dyed hair and a scarf as well. The phenomenon was prominent in the 1990s, but has since declined. The word "kogal" is anglicized from kogyaru, a contraction of kôkôsei...
s, SM queens
Dominatrix
Dominatrix or mistress is a woman or women who takes the dominant role in bondage, discipline and sadomasochism, or BDSM. A common form of address for a submissive to a dominatrix is "mistress", "ma'am", "domina" or "maîtresse"...
, and Pink Lady
Pink Lady (band)
is a Japanese female pop music duo of the late 1970s and early 1980s, featuring Mitsuyo Nemoto and Keiko Masuda...
(Japanese pop music idols of the late 1970s).
One memorable moment was during the Anime Bus Tour, when Yamasaki (dressed as Arale
Arale Norimaki
is a fictional character and the main protagonist in the anime and manga series Dr. Slump created by Akira Toriyama. She is voiced by Mami Koyama in the first anime and Taeko Kawata in the second...
from Dr. Slump
Dr. Slump
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. It was serialized in Shueisha's anthology comic Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1980 to 1984 which were collected into 18 tankōbon volumes...
) was dropped off and told to buy take-out spaghetti for the entire cast on his way back. He attempted to walk back without buying any, but on his way, he ran into fellow contestant Miyasako of the comedy duo Ameagari Kesshitai
Ameagari Kesshitai
, also known simply as Ameagari, is a Japanese comedy duo consisting of Hiroyuki Miyasako and Tōru Hotohara . They are from Osaka and, like most other comedians from the kansai region, are employed by Yoshimoto Kōgyō....
, who had also been dropped off (dressed as Kekkō Kamen
Kekko Kamen
is originally a shōnen manga series from Japanese creator Go Nagai, which spawned an OVA series and several live-action films. The manga series is about the misadventures of a student named Mayumi Takahashi who attends a boarding school called Toenail of Satan's Spartan Institute of Higher...
). They bought the spaghetti together. Upon arriving at the studio, Miyasako revealed that Yamasaki had tried to return without buying the food. Appalled and outraged, Matsumoto ordered him to go buy spaghetti in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
-- specifically, to go to the "very tip of its heel," referring to the country's distinct boot
Boot
A boot is a type of footwear but they are not shoes. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle and extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece....
-like shape. A few weeks later, Yamasaki was forced to fly to Lecce
Lecce
Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, the second province in the region by population, as well as one of the most important cities of Puglia...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to buy a plate of spaghetti from a restaurant, all the while still dressed as Arale.
Broadcasting TV stations
- Nippon TV, Sapporo TV, Aomori Broadcasting Corp., Miyagi TV, Yamagata Broadcasting Co., Fukushima Central TV, Yamanashi Broadcasting System, TV Niigata, TV Shinshu, Kitanihon Broadcasting Co., TV Kanazawa, Shizuoka Daiichi TV, Nihonkai TV, Yamaguchi Broadcasting Co., Nishinippon Broadcasting Co., Nankai Broadcasting Co., Kochi Broadcasting Co., Nagasaki International TV, Kumamoto Kemmin TV, TV Oita, Kagoshima Yomiuri TV - from 10:56 p.m. until 11:26 p.m. every Sunday (JST)
- TV Iwate - from 12:50 a.m. until 1:20 a.m. every Sunday (JST)
- Chukyo TV - from 12:38 a.m. until 1:10 a.m. every Friday (JST)
- Yomiuri TV - (from April 7, 2011) from 12:29 a.m. until 12:59 a.m. every Thursday (JST)
- Hiroshima TV - from 12:34 a.m. until 1:04 a.m. every Thursday (JST)
- Fukuoka Broadcasting Corp. - from 12:50 a.m. until 1:20 a.m. every Sunday (JST)
- Akita Broadcasting System, Inc. - from 12:43 a.m. until 1:13 a.m. every Friday (JST)
- Shikoku Broadcasting Co. - from 12:29 a.m. until 12:59 a.m. every Thursday (JST)
- Fukui Broadcasting Co. - from 12:29 a.m. until 1 a.m. every Thursday (JST)
- Ryukyu Broadcasting Corp. (affiliated with JNN and TBS Network) - from 12:45 a.m. until 1:20 a.m. every Saturday (JST)
External links
at ntv.co.jpNippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...