Baseball Talk Show: Manzai Boyz Startled by Guo Taiyuan's Chinese, 'Laughs' Galore

The annual "2026 Taiwan-Japan Two Lions Friends Day" hosted by the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions baseball team featured a special talk show with legendary players from Japan's Seibu Lions. This year, the event also invited the Japanese comedy duo Manzai Boyz to host the talk show, adding a unique entertainment element.

Manzai Boyz, who have been developing their careers in Taiwan for 11 years, expressed their excitement and a touch of nervousness about hosting the talk show. Member Taida Takuro shared a particularly memorable moment: "The second day I interviewed Guo Taiyuan, I was startled when Guo Taiyuan spoke Chinese. Usually, I work with people my own age, so it was the first time I chatted with such a distinguished senior in Chinese. I was very nervous, constantly thinking about what to do if my Chinese sounded impolite."

The duo's performance was a hit, filled with puns and cultural comparisons that delighted the audience. They even adapted a version of the "Momotaro" story, which had fans roaring with laughter. They also noted their appreciation for the fans' enthusiasm, particularly the Chunghwa Brothers' "strikeout song" and the team's distinctive air horn cheers, even incorporating the latter into their own act.

The event, themed around Showa-era retro style, also included nostalgic giveaways and traditional Japanese games, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrated the decade-long exchange between the two Lions teams.

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The second day I interviewed Guo Taiyuan, I was startled when Guo Taiyuan spoke Chinese. Usually, I work with people my own age, so it was the first time I chatted with such a distinguished senior in Chinese. I was very nervous, constantly thinking about what to do if my Chinese sounded impolite.