King of Conte 2026: Finalists compete for comedy championship

The 19th annual King of Conte competition, a premier Japanese comedy contest, held its finals on the 17th. Eleven acts competed for the title, including ten finalists and one group that advanced through a first-ever wild card round.

Kaerutei emerged as a top contender, securing second place with 661 points following a performance involving a man and woman in confinement. Judges Kenji Yamauchi of Kamaitachi and Ryuji Akiyama of Robert praised the duo, with Akiyama describing their characters as “extremely funny.”

Other notable performances included Dow 90000, who received praise from Ryuji Akiyama for their highly calculated and efficient comedic timing despite being eliminated. The competition featured a diverse lineup of veteran and returning comedians, including Gelardon, Nippon no Shacho, and Yadan.