As part of TV Asahi’s “Barabara Monthly” April lineup, Ae! group’s Seiya Suezawa steps into the spotlight as the sole MC of “Study Comedy Skits” (『勉強コント』), marking his first time leading a program on his own.

The concept brings together top-tier comedians—including winners of King of Conte and finalists from M-1 Grand Prix—to create comedy sketches centered around key learning points from school subjects. Developed in cooperation with Benesse Corporation, the program transforms familiar study topics into entertaining, laugh-out-loud material.

Framed as a kind of “spring intensive course” in study comedy, the show is designed not only for children who may struggle with studying, but also for anyone who simply enjoys comedy. By weaving educational elements into high-quality skits and manzai performances, it aims to create a viewing experience where audiences find themselves learning naturally—almost without realizing it.

At the center of it all is Seiya Suezawa, taking on the challenge of guiding both the format and its young participants. Known for his grounded Kansai-style humor and sharp reactions, his role as MC becomes key in balancing structure with spontaneity—especially in a format that relies heavily on both comedic timing and audience engagement.

Positioned within the “Barabara Monthly” framework—where new concepts are tested with the potential to become regular programs—“Study Comedy Skits” stands out as a format that blends entertainment and education in a way that feels both accessible and fresh. For Seiya, it also marks a notable step forward, expanding his presence as an individual host within variety.

---

Seiya Suezawa Comment

—How did you feel after the recording?
It really made me think once again how amazing kids are! I don’t often get the chance to interact with children this closely, so it felt really fresh—and I had a lot of fun!

—What do you think about the concept of “Study Comedy Skits”?
The quality of the comedians’ skits and manzai is already really high, so it’s entertaining to begin with—and on top of that, it includes educational elements, which made it genuinely easy to understand for me as well.

I think this is something parents could easily show their kids without hesitation, and that it’s a great way to learn while having fun.

—Was there a performance that stood out to you?
Hanako were really funny! Dai Okabe’s expressions left a strong impression on me. It also reminded me of “ki-ha-ji.” All of the acts were great, though!
(“Ki-ha-ji” is a mnemonic used in math for distance, speed, and time.)

—How did it feel to take on your first solo MC role?
This was honestly my first time ever! Being the only MC, and with just kids around as well, was a completely new experience—but I feel like I was able to have a lot of fun together with everyone. I really got a lot of energy from them!

—Do you have a message for viewers?
I feel like this is the kind of program that doesn’t really exist yet. Even as an adult, there were so many moments where I found myself learning things again—like, “Oh yeah, I remember this!” or “This is actually something worth remembering!”

Those kinds of learning moments are scattered throughout the skits and manzai, so you can really study while laughing. I hope everyone enjoys it.

For parents with children, especially now that short videos and social media are so widespread and screen time is often limited, I think this kind of content—where entertainment and learning come together—is something you can feel comfortable letting them watch. I’d be really happy if as many people as possible tune in!