Student hones her job-hunting skills on comedy stage

Now in the process of job-hunting, the 21-year-old from Arakawa Ward, Tokyo, believes the traditional Japanese two-person comedy act has something in common with working as a consultant, a profession she’s interested in. Why? They both please people.
As a member of the university’s comic dialogue club, Owarai Dojo (Comedy training school) O-keis, Watanabe formed the manzai duo “Caramel Anthem” with Masahiro Ishii, another 21-year-old senior. Acting as the boke – a person who makes funny remarks to invite a reaction – Watanabe has taken the stage with Ishii at school festivals and comic dialogue contests, among other occasions.
A typical exchange goes as follows: “I want to join a group,” Watanabe says, prompting Ishii to ask, “What group?” “The European Union,” answers Watanabe. “Are you joining it as a country?” Ishii inquires. Watanabe replies, “As an individual. From today, its members are Italy, France, Germany … and Watanabe,” to which Ishii scowls, “Wow. You’re literally on your own.”
Last year, the duo won third place at the College M-1 Grand Prix – a manzai championship for university students – and third place in another manzai contest in which about 400 duos competed.
“Our performance is getting closer to the level where we can win first prize,” said Watanabe. “I really want to finish first this year because this is my final year in school.” 
As a child, she often amused others with her unique remarks. She studied hard in junior high school and high school, but also belonged to her high school’s juggling club, as she enjoyed standing out. 
“I didn’t want to be a serious person who just studied all the time, but rather a ‘unique person,’” Watanabe said.
Being a fan of comedy TV shows, she joined the university comic dialogue club after entering the faculty of economics at Keio. She was the only female freshman in the club to volunteer to perform comedy, as the other female freshmen preferred operational positions and other backseat roles. 
In her freshman year, she teamed up with Ishii, who studies in the university’s faculty of business and commerce. Ishii is in charge of developing the duo’s narratives.
He praised Watanabe, saying, “Her character is innocently cheerful, and she makes people laugh by playing the fool or making poignant remarks.”

Discussions
Watanabe is currently job-hunting, and is especially interested in the consulting industry.
“Consulting has something in common with comedy, in that both can please people not by competing with merchandise, but with one’s own ideas,” Watanabe said.
In group discussions for students applying to companies, she’s drawn attention after introducing herself as a manzai performer and found that her comments at the sessions were well-received.  
Watanabe plans on ending her comedy performances after graduating from university, but she might rethink this decision.
“Once I get used to working, I might want to put on live performances after leaving the office in the evening,” she said with a smile. “That’s what a unique person would do, right?”