tsukkomis

Tsukkomi (突っ込み) is a role in Japanese comedy, most prominently in the traditional two-person act called manzai. In manzai, two performers play contrasting personas: the boke, who says or does silly things, and the tsukkomi, the straight man who corrects or criticizes the boke. The humor arises from rapid-fire exchanges in which the tsukkomi points out absurdities, delivers a sharp retort, or questions the boke's statements, thereby puncturing the illusion and guiding the joke toward a payoff. The timing and rhythm are essential; the tsukkomi's lines are typically brief and delivered immediately after a boke remark. Physical cues, such as a light slap on the arm or head, are common in live performances but vary by act and era, and many modern acts rely on spoken rather than physical cues.

Today, the concept of tsukkomi extends beyond traditional manzai. The term is used to describe someone who calls out mistakes or absurdities in media or everyday life. In contemporary Japanese television, online video, and other media, the tsukkomi role persists in variety shows, parodies, and sketches, and some performers blend it with other formats.