Meet Pabun, the Japanese Comedy Duo Who Do Both Manzai and Sketches
Pabun is a Japanese comedy duo, signed with Production Jinrikisha, who perform both manzai and sketch comedy. Here's who they are and where to start watching.
Who Are Pabun?
Pabun is a Japanese comedy duo made up of Yusuke Niiya and Kento Nakadaira, represented by the talent agency Production Jinrikisha. The pair works in two formats: manzai, a classic Japanese form of stand-up for two in which the performers trade lines side by side, and sketch comedy, short scripted scenes in which they play characters.
Both came through the 31st class of School JCA and debuted in 2023. Niiya is from Bando, in Ibaraki Prefecture, and Nakadaira is from Kawagoe, in Saitama Prefecture. They also share a serious board game habit. Niiya has designed three games, which are sold at board game markets and online, while Nakadaira owns about 150. Away from the table, Niiya lists a talent for finding something nice to say about anyone. Nakadaira plays drums and has a self-produced CD carried at Tower Records.
What Their Comedy Is Like
Many of Pabun's pieces are set in ordinary places: a car dealership, a campus recruiting event, a visit to a grandparent's house. Their subjects also stretch into genre parody, including a sketch set in the world of death-game thrillers.
In the pieces we've watched, many open with one character arriving with a big plan, whether it's a surprise gift, a prize to collect, or a lifestyle overhaul. Across from them is someone whose job or relationship means they have to hear it out. In manzai, the two stand side by side and talk an idea through. In sketches, they build out a full scene in character, playing roles that range from a car dealership employee to a university staffer.
Where to Start
"Buying a Car" (sketch): A customer who knows next to nothing about cars walks into a dealership, determined to surprise their girlfriend with a car for her birthday.
"The Campus Recruiting Session" (sketch): At a university job fair, where companies come on campus to pitch themselves to students looking for work, a representative named Yamanaka gets ready to play the company's promo video on YouTube, with university staffer Takahashi hosting the event.
"Minimalist" (manzai): One member announces a plan to become a minimalist and starts laying out what has to go.
Our pick for a first watch is "Buying a Car." A dealership, a birthday, and a surprise are all you need to know going in. After that, "Minimalist" shows the duo in manzai mode.
A Car for Your Birthday
A customer treats a car like a little birthday gift. The salesperson tries to keep up.
1:59
Survived the Game. Where's the Money?
A hunched figure shuffles out in full villain mode. The survivor just wants to get paid.
3:00
The Underwear Debate
Ditching underwear is supposed to simplify life. Defending the idea sure doesn't.
3:04
Listen to This Voicemail
One listener hears a threat in the voicemails. The other hears a quiz question.
3:05
A Visit to Grandpa's
A student tries to reason with Grandpa about college. Grandpa won't budge.
3:19
We use AI as part of how we create our articles.
Subtitles on this video: AI translation from the Japanese.