Manzai

Warmmedown

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Just learned that "Manzai" is a typical style of Japanese comedy, with roots in the Heian period (around 1000 years ago), but the modern form took off in the 1930s. This is a double act with a "funny man" (boke) and "straight man" (tsukkomi). Often the boke acts stupid or clueless and the tsukkomi reacts strongly (sometimes with physical violence), to highlight the ridiculousness of the situation. Quite a few anime and manga this style of comedy, but from what I've read it's harder to do it in manga, because it's harder to convey the comedic timing.

I've seen it loads in Gintama, where Shinpachi is said to be the straight man/tsukkomi, but sometimes others are - eg Gintoki switches to "tsukkomi" when in the presence of some of the show's more ridiculous characters.
Apparently Sket Dance uses it a lot too.
I've seen it in Hare+Guu, Nichijou and I'd say One Piece uses it - like Zoro or Luffy do something ridiculous and Nami or Chopper highlight it by acting shocked or angry or by hitting them on the head.
Azumanga Daioh apparently used it, but I don't remember.

Random non-anime example I found:

Have you noticed this style in anime/manga?
 

Yoshi

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I agree, I often find it more in Anime than Manga.
 
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