Experience the World of Professional Comedy with Popular Comedians like Joyman and Okazu Club! 'Docomo Mirai Field' Special Program Held In-Person and Online, Featuring Backstage Tours, Manzai Experiences, and Rap Routines to Expand Children's Horizons

NTT Docomo (hereinafter 'Docomo') held a special event on March 28, 2026 (Sat) at the Yoshimoto Makuhari Ion Mall Theater, with full cooperation from the theater, as part of its 'Docomo Mirai Field' project—an initiative designed to create opportunities for children to experience various professional worlds and discover important learning and dreams.

'Docomo Mirai Field' is one of the three pillars of the 'Docomo Mirai Project,' which supports children by providing exciting experiences as they step into the future, alongside 'Docomo Mirai Museum' and 'Docomo Mirai Lab.' With the cooperation of numerous partners, including the National Museum of Nature and Science, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Omiya Ardija, and the Ohashi Boxing Gym (home to Naoya Inoue), the project has provided venues for children to experience the 'professional world' across various genres.

On the day of the event, 30 groups (60 people in total) of elementary school students and their guardians, selected by lottery from a large number of applicants, participated. Special guests included Yoshimoto comedians Hiking Walking, Regular, Joyman, Okazu Club, and Hiroyuki Mc-II. The program allowed children to experience the professional environment firsthand through activities such as a backstage tour—an area usually off-limits—and a manzai (stand-up comedy) experience on stage with the comedians. Additionally, for the first time in 'Docomo Mirai Field' history, an online program was held. A total of 96 children from elementary to junior high school and their guardians participated from across the country in two sessions. This initiative, which transcends geographical boundaries, featured the program 'Can You Rap Like Joyman? ~in Yoshimoto Makuhari Ion Mall Theater~.' Through both in-person and online sessions, many children had the precious opportunity to touch the 'professional world of comedy.'

In-Person Program

■ Backstage Tour Guided by Hiroyuki Mc-II

Children gathered at the Yoshimoto Makuhari Ion Mall Theater, filled with anticipation to meet their favorite comedians. After the orientation, the backstage tour guided by Hiroyuki Mc-II began. The children were excited to see unique props used in routines, piles of snacks prepared for comedians waiting for their turn, manga, and kotatsu tables.

Seeing the 'behind-the-scenes' area, which they would never normally be able to enter, the children couldn't hide their excitement, enjoying the space where real professionals spend their time. Hiking Walking and Okazu Club were waiting in the dressing room and greeted the children, saying, 'Good morning! Thanks for coming.' Okazu Club presented the children with original stickers, and the tour concluded on a high note.

■ Learning How to Create a Comedy Show with Okazu Club

Next, the children learned 'how to create a comedy show.' Hiroyuki Mc-II and the staff explained the 'nine professional roles' that support a live stage, including the theater manager, sound, lighting, and stage management. They learned with serious expressions that a glamorous stage is built on the support of various staff members. During the explanation, Okazu Club appeared and performed a routine. Afterward, all participants were divided into roles—comedian, sound, and video—to challenge themselves in performing a 'hook' greeting on stage. The children acting as comedians appeared to music and greeted the audience energetically using team names based on their favorite foods, animals, or sports. The children in sound and video roles skillfully played music and visuals to match the movements, livening up the venue. For the children who stood on stage with a sense of accomplishment, this experience of creating a live show is sure to have been a catalyst for envisioning their future dreams more clearly.

■ Comedy Routine Viewing and On-Stage Game Corner

The program moved on to the viewing of routines by four popular comedy groups. Okazu Club, Joyman, Regular, and Hiking Walking appeared one after another to perform routines prepared specifically for the children. With routines set in schools and interactions with the children, the venue was filled with laughter and applause throughout, reaching a fever pitch. The children leaned forward, enjoying the professional performances unfolding right before their eyes. After the show, comments like 'I'm glad I got to see real comedians!' and 'It was my first time seeing a routine live, and the sound and impact were amazing!' were heard, showing that they felt the energy of the live stage with their whole bodies.

After a commemorative photo session, a game corner with the comedians began. Divided into two teams, 'Okazu Club & Regular' and 'Joyman & Hiking Walking,' they played games like 'Let's Check the Answers Together!' and 'Shiritori Gesture!' The comedians performed physical gestures and comments, and the children participated actively in a relaxed atmosphere. Whether trying to make a joke or striking a pose in sync with the comedians, the venue was wrapped in a sense of unity and laughter, concluding the in-person program.

Online Program

Following the in-person program, the first-ever 'Docomo Mirai Field' online program was held to reach more children across the country. Targeting children who could not attend the venue, the project 'Can You Rap Like Joyman? ~in Yoshimoto Makuhari Ion Mall Theater~' was held to connect them with professional comedians.

■ Joyman's Routine Performance and 'Rhyming' Lesson

Children joined the online venue with excitement, even through the screen. As the program started, Joyman performed their popular rap routine. Many children were seen smiling in front of their screens at the rhythmic delivery that translated well even online. In the learning section, they explained what 'rhyming' is and which words can rhyme. As a mini-game, they challenged the children to guess which words rhyme with a given word, which was a great success.

■ Making Parody Songs and 'Rhyme Challenge'

After explaining 'rhyming,' the session for lower-grade elementary students involved making a parody song based on the nursery rhyme 'Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree,' where they had to think of words that rhyme with the last word of each line. They completed an original parody song while writing the words on the whiteboard, and the children sang it together with proud expressions. In the session for upper-grade elementary to junior high school students, they took on the more difficult 'Rhyme Challenge,' competing to see how many rhyming words they could come up with within a time limit. In the latter half, they moved to a corner where they created a 'self-introduction rap' using their own names. After listening to Joyman's example, the children performed the completed raps through the screen. Their efforts to see it through to the end, despite initial shyness, were very impressive.

■ Communication Time Unique to Online

During the communication time held in both sessions, children shared 'what they learned today,' with comments like 'Rhyming was fun!' and 'I was happy to make a parody song!' Furthermore, Joyman improvised original raps using the names of selected participants. The children were smiling on the other side of the screen, happy despite being a bit shy.

This day, where children experienced the world created by comedy professionals from multiple perspectives—both in-person and online—was a valuable experience that helped them realize the 'joy of expressing oneself and bringing smiles to others' and the 'power of words.' Docomo will continue to provide opportunities for children to encounter various professional jobs and find inspiration for their dreams through 'authentic' experiences provided by 'Docomo Mirai Field.'