The comedy world crowned new royalty on Saturday as Long Coat Daddy claimed victory in the King of Conte 2025 competition, broadcast live on TBS as part of its Comedy Day 2025 special. The win marks their first championship after four consecutive finals appearances, earning them the coveted title and 10 million yen in prize money.

In a field that began with a record 3,449 acts, Long Coat Daddy emerged victorious to become the 18th King of Conte champion. The duo, consisting of 35-year-old Toru Domae and 37-year-old Usagi, immediately appeared on the network's information program 7days News Caster to share their excitement before participating in the traditional winner's press conference.

Contrasting Visions for Victory

The press conference highlighted the duo's contrasting personalities when questioned about their plans for the 10 million yen prize. Domae surprised attendees by declaring, I want to create a professional baseball team, drawing astonished reactions from the audience. His partner Usagi offered a more grounded ambition: I want to go on a fishing trip with my comedian fishing buddies.

The stark contrast between Domae's extravagant dream and Usagi's practical aspiration perfectly encapsulated their comedic dynamic, generating laughter throughout the venue. This ability to balance outrageous concepts with relatable humor has become their trademark style throughout their rise in the comedy world.

Overcoming the Opening Act Challenge

Long Coat Daddy faced the additional challenge of performing first in the competition, a position traditionally considered disadvantageous in comedy contests where judges often hesitate to award high scores early. They joined elite company, becoming only the third act to win from the opening slot, following Tokyo03 in 2009 and Shisonnu in 2014.

Their initial sketch featured a subterranean being (Usagi) who comes to Earth for training and encounters a young boy (Domae). The routine masterfully developed the mismatched dynamic between a child's innocent questioning and the underworld creature's persistently petty retorts. The absurd progression into an emotional story generated substantial laughter and earned an impressive 474 points, immediately putting pressure on subsequent performers.

The Championship Performance

In the final round against Yadan and Rainbow, Long Coat Daddy delivered another standout performance featuring a wellness-obsessed woman (Usagi) attempting to comfort a crying police officer (Domae) on a park bench. The sketch built tension through seemingly supportive dialogue that culminated in shocking revelations, filling the studio with both gasps and laughter.

The victory represents a significant milestone for the duo, who have established themselves as versatile performers skilled in both stand-up comedy and sketch comedy. Their journey to the top has included multiple near-misses, including a third-place finish in the 2022 M-1 Grand Prix and last year's heartbreaking one-point loss to Love Letters in the King of Conte finals. Earlier this year, they also placed second in the Double Impact competition.

Domae had previously expressed his determination to finally claim a championship, stating, I want to end this challenge soon and I want to finally get that perfect score. Their persistence has now paid off, with judge Satoru Iizuka of Tokyo03 commenting, They've always been hilarious, so it feels like they've finally won! A fitting endorsement of comedy talent that has consistently delivered excellence before achieving this crowning moment.