Foolish Survivor —Win and Remain— (バカサバイバー！！〜
Summary[]
Fumihiko Takaba recalls his original inspiration for becoming a comedian. Reinvigorated by his origin, Takaba regains his confidence and apologizes to Kenjaku. He swears to make Kenjaku laugh and reactivates his technique, leading to the climax of their duel.
Plot Details[]
One day several years ago, Takaba was studying to become a comedian at Tantan University. Takaba chastised his partner for being late to their performance rehearsal. As his partner apologized indifferently, Takaba noticed the smell of alcohol on him before continuing with the rehearsal. Takaba began a segment of the performance but soon discovered that his partner did not memorize his lines.
Takaba's struggle to find a comedic partner.
Takaba angrily demanded a serious apology from his partner, who rebuked him by revealing that he was too busy covering for Takaba. He went on to state that Takaba never went out drinking with the others, nor did he laugh at the other comedians from the stage wings, and it was only because of him that their upperclassmen didn't mistreat the duo.
Takaba asked his partner if that was a good reason for him to show up to rehearsal hungover, which he believed was. Takaba then furiously called his partner out for only caring about his shady relationships, who mocked him for getting angry due to being unpopular. Takaba punched him to the ground and stated that he wanted him to take comedy seriously, at which point his partner revealed that doing comedy wasn't fun with Takaba, and asked why the audience would laugh at their jokes if even they didn't.
Takaba remembers why he became a comedian.
Sometime later, Takaba read a critically unfavorable review about his performance. Despite being disheartened, his colleague told him it was impossible to make everyone in the audience laugh and convinced him to think positively. Later, while rehearsing a performance, Takaba's new partner informed him that he planned on quitting, citing that the two were already middle-aged while their classmates all had decent jobs and families to provide for. When Takaba attempted to persuade him to stay, his partner asked him how long he planned on continuing to do comedy.
Takaba apologizes to Kenjaku with perfect prostration form.
Later in his apartment, Takaba thought about his options as an entertainer without a partner to do comedy with. He remembered his response to his last partner's question. Takaba planned on doing comedy until he did what he thought was funny to the fullest. Takaba also remembered why he wanted to be a comedian. When he was a child, he was serious and cold towards others, which made him unlikable. Wishing to no longer be lonely, he put all his effort into joking around. When the other boys laughed and realized he wasn't a bad person, that made him happy and allowed him to make friends. However, he was never able to find a partner to make jokes with. As Takaba watched a comedy duo joke about being unable to do comedy together on television, he held back tears. Takaba concluded that the reason he became a comedian was because he wanted people to know him better. if people thought he was funny, he wouldn't be lonely ever again.
Takaba's determination to make everyone laugh, even Kenjaku.
Present-day Takaba sits before his younger self in a school classroom. His younger self asks him what he meant by "doing comedy seriously" since people just want his goofy side. Older Takaba states that that isn't what's important and has nothing to do with the audience. His younger version then asks if doing comedy seriously is fun and the reason he's a comedian. Takaba reveals that he became a comedian because he wanted people to know him. He then wonders why he dismissed Kenjaku for not laughing at his joke and realizes that his colleague's advice about not needing to make everyone laugh was telling him to not give up. Takaba didn't interpret it that way to protect himself. In doing so, he stopped taking comedy seriously because he was afraid of getting hurt.
Back in the present, Kenjaku approaches a prostrating Takaba. Kenjaku thinks about how perfect the form is, and how he himself could not achieve such a level until his late twenties. Kenjaku quickly questions why his mind is on prostration when Takaba gets his attention. Takaba profusely apologizes as he exposes his insecurities, which led to him discounting Kenjaku to protect himself. He refutes his previous statement and announces his newfound resolve to make everyone in the audience laugh. The comedian tells Kenjaku to prepare to laugh his guts out and Kenjaku replies by asking if Takaba can actually do so. The excitement is written on Kenjaku's face, literally.
Character in Order of Appearances[]
Battles & Events[]
Locations[]
- Tantan University (Flashback)
- Lake Gosho Colony, Iwate Prefecture
Jujutsu[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author's Comment | |
 |
Gege Akutami |
I learned that the editor I had kept waiting a long time was a black belt in karate, and everyone at the studio started to get really nervous. | |
Trivia[]
- Continuing the theme from Chapter 239, the chapter's title is a reference to the lyrics of Baka Survivor by Ulfuls, the second opening theme to Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo anime series.