Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

To be a Samurai requires qualities like passion, pride, heart, stealth and a killer instinct. But discipline is probably the one that most obsesses Japanese comedian Takashi Wakasugi, particularly feckless Australians’ lack of it.

He wants – nay, demands – his audience ‘be more Samurai’, particularly in picking a lane and sticking to it. Smoke or don’t smoke, but to be an occasional smoker is a no-no.

Even when an observation about Australian life is relatively straightforward - mocking those who repeatedly hammer away at pedestrian crossing buttons, for example – his strictness in policing such behaviour adds a twist. ‘Please use your brain,’ he frequently implores, superficially polite but stern and definitely condescending. Or it would be, were he not so playfully charming as he lays down his diktats.Talk about an uncompromising comic, Wakasugi won’t budge an inch.

It’s with a similarly disdainful air that he talks about how Japan doesn’t make stuff, but perfects things. The first part of that phrase may suggest a national weakness, but it’s just another excuse to show the West how we’re doing everything wrong, and the premise for some more wonderfully sarcastic punchlines.

Cultural differences cut both ways, and as he urges us to follow the way of the warrior, he’s becoming more Aussie, even developing a taste for Vegemite. He also highlights a few ridiculous practices from his homeland – such as the hilariously lax checks on underage drinkers buying booze in Japanese 7-Elevens.

Wakasugi, a contestant in the latest series of Taskmaster Australia, has an interesting delivery style, saying many establishing lines twice with heavy emphasis on a key word, throwing his head forward as he does so. It may be a technique to aid comprehension, just in case his accent is misunderstood, but also has the effect of selling the gag hard and making him a distinctive performer.

Not every chunk lands: the haiku section that doesn’t even abide by the usual syllable structure is convoluted; the material about pixellated pornography is low-denominator; and almost every new comedian does a routine likening stand-up to sex, which Wakasugi cannot make fresh.

Yet an hour in his company is a delight.  While he acknowledges he’s not the funniest comedian at the festival, he argues he’s the best with the aid of a saki-based analogy. As with many of his routines, he may convince you with his substantial force of personality alone.

Review date: 17 Apr 2025
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival