'M-1 Grand Prix 2025', 30 Teams Advancing to Semifinals Announced... Record 11,000 Teams Participated

The prestigious manzai competition in the Japanese comedy scene, 'M-1 Grand Prix 2025', announced the 30 teams advancing to the semifinals on November 20. This year's competition saw a record participation of 11,521 teams, with the semifinals taking place on December 4 and the final match on December 21.

Many Last Year's Finalist Teams Return to Semifinals

From November 17 to 19, a preliminary round was held in Tokyo and Osaka with 134 teams participating, and the semifinalists were revealed on the evening of the 20th through TBS's streaming service TVer.

Among the 30 teams advancing to the semifinals are last year's finalists Vacuum Jessica, Evas, Yarenzu, Mama Tart, who are aiming for victory once again.

However, this year's competition also saw surprising eliminations of strong teams. Notable teams that had performed in last year's finals, such as Joke Rock and experienced finalists Oswald, Tokyo Hoteison, Danbira Mucho, Chomage Ramen (formerly Indians), faced early exits in the preliminary round. Additionally, other competition winners like Benny Show, the Genius Pianist, and Biscuit Brothers, winners of 'King of Conte', were also eliminated.

List of 30 Teams Advancing to Semifinals (in Entry Order)

Vacuum Jessica, Hokkaido Captain, Oozora Mode, 20th Century, Koyorumo Hoshiga Kirei, Hitsuji Neiri, Franz, Yoneda 2000, Zero Karan, Daio, Sentinel, Maison, Donde Corte, Ichigo, Kaname Stone, Mikabo, Evas, Tatoeba Hono, Takuro, Shogane Ko, Neko Nizuzu, Donut Peanuts, Yarenzu, TC Clackson, Mama Tart, Kuroobi, Kabe Foster, Stamina Pan, Miki, Mamedet Po.

One Team Given Additional Chance Through 'Wildcard' System

Among the 104 teams that unfortunately did not advance from the preliminary round, only one team will be able to advance to the semifinals through a viewer voting system called 'Wildcard'. Voting will be accepted from noon on November 23 to 11:59 PM on November 30 on the official M-1 website, with results announced on December 1 at 7 PM.

The semifinals will be held on December 4 at Tokyo NEW PIER HALL, and the finals and losers' revival match will be broadcast live on December 21 on ABC Television.