HITOSHI MATSUMOTO Presents Documental

An interview with Matsumoto, looking back on seasons 1-3.

The previously un-aired pilot. Rules were quite different to what they are now, such as there was no time limit.

The comedians receive their invitations from Hitoshi Matsumoto. They are surprised, confused, excited, and nervous. Will they accept the invitation? How will they raise a million yen? Each of them struggles. Ten brave comedians gather in a room and Documental begins.

A yellow card is given out right after the game starts. Jimmy Onishi proactively plays jokes on the others, but becomes their target in return. Some use props, some talk trash, but each of them try their best in their own way. Finally, the first victim drops out.

Everybody becomes nervous after the first red card. Daisuke Miyagawa is the first to change the atmosphere by playing a joke. Seeing this, others start their tricks as well, leading to a series of laughter. The battle becomes more fierce as red cards are given out and less people are left in the room.

Invitation letters are being sent by Hitoshi Matsumoto. The comedians are chosen to fit Matsumoto's new plans. They all know what being invited to Documental means. Those comedians who can fork out the one-million-yen participation fee will have a laugh battle on the Documental stage. Having selected ten people to cross humors, a new battle will start.

You cannot be the winner unless you make others laugh. The comedians laugh one after the other as they make use of the ridiculous props they've prepared. A fierce battle rages on as they attack with laughter and resist the urge to laugh. There are those who, in the heat of battle, unintentionally detonate themselves into laughter. The first casualty is someone unexpected!

An hour and a half has passed since the beginning, and only one person has been eliminated. Not laughing is not good enough. You cannot win without earning points on offense. Laughs are had over props and the "small windows" from the closed room, introduced in this season. The comedians attack boldly, and people are eliminated one after another.

Hitoshi Matsumoto once again has invitation letters delivered. Those expecting them rejoice. One person is surprised to receive it. Another is indecisive as to what to do. In the end, ten brave comedians have gathered. Season Three comes with brand new rules. How will they affect the game? After handing in the one million yen participation fee, the challengers go up on stage.

An early-issued Yellow Card ignites the fires in the comedians' souls. They make use of the props they brought along and show off their skills while also resisting the others' continuous attacks. By attacking, you yourself risk being caught up in the blast... As warning cards are given out left and right, an unexpected individual becomes the first to be eliminated.

The battle is now approaching the halfway point, which further fires up the comedians. The fact that no one is laughing weighs heavily on everyone's mind. Nonetheless, they must come up with material. Those individuals who did not rise up to the challenge and were eliminated will be returning to play out their tricks.

Matsumoto includes a combo in the mix. Neither knows that the other is participating. How will it all turn out? Penalty cards fly left and right early on in the uncharacteristically "laughter-ridden" atmosphere

The entertainers look for the perfect time to unleash their tricks. Letting your concentration waver for a moment is fatal, and penalty cards are dished out one after another. A trick prepared beforehand will cause a bloodbath.

We're halfway through the game with no eliminations. The action begins to intensify. Cookie attempts to stage the transformation technique he is so good at. The hard times continue for the participants.