On Japanese TV, roles are strictly typed: The MC (Master of Ceremonies), the Boke (the fool who makes mistakes), the Tsukkomi (the straight man who hits the fool), and the Guest (usually an actor promoting a drama). This dynamic is borrowed directly from Manzai (stand-up comedy), which has roots in 7th-century New Year's festivals. It is a culture where timing and politeness are weaponized for humor.
Recent scandals, particularly regarding the treatment of talent by major agencies (most notably the Johnny & Associates sexual abuse scandal), have exposed the archaic and opaque power structures within the talent management sector, threatening the industry's reputation. On Japanese TV, roles are strictly typed: The
The massive size of Japan’s internal market historically made agencies slow to adapt to international streaming and digital distribution. On Japanese TV