Kasou Taisho, or All Japan Kasoh (Costume) Grand Prix, is a semi-annual televised contest in which amateur groups or individuals perform short skits which are rated by a panel of judges.
Many of the skits make extensive use of kurogo: stagehands dressed in all black to imply they are “invisible” to the audience while they move around props or actors on stage. This allows performers to create clever illusions and “fake” special effects, such as in the classic “Matrix Ping Pong” skit, which you can see above.
Having been on the air for more than 30 years, the show no doubt has an extensive library of short, funny video clips—or as we call it these days, internet crack. And finally figuring out that crack sells, Kasou Taisho has posted nearly 100 of their finest skits from over the years for your viewing pleasure on YouTube.
We hope you weren’t planning on doing anything productive over the next half hour…
The videos can be found in full on the Kasou Taisho YouTube channel, but we’ve posted a few of our favorite below for your convenient viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
▼ Stomach Mogul Skiing
▼ Steal the Mona Lisa!
▼ The Astonishing Karate Dojo
▼ And Then There Was a Mess
▼ Go! Off-road Car (my personal favorite)
▼ Whirlwind
▼ Steam Locomotive
▼ Underwater Scenery From the Goggles
▼ Salvador Dali
▼ Usain Bolt
▼ Penguin Panic
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7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Eastern Japan high school graduating class’s wallets robbed during ceremony
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
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Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Major Tokyo subway line shut down by in-train mobile battery fire
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Intimate Korean yoga workout promises to burn calories, get your heart racing【Video】
Godiva runs full-page ad asking Japanese women to stop buying so much Valentine’s chocolate
7-Eleven Japan’s “Paper Tiger” sandwich sparks online controversy over deceptive packaging
Hayao Miyazaki’s final TV anime gets popup shop in Tokyo opening this summer
Fender releases Made in Japan Limited Cyclone with domestically made pickups
Pikachu engagement and wedding rings let you tell the love of your life “I choose you”【Photos】
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