CONTENT WARNING: THIS IS A ROAST SHOW.

Tokyo's favourite battle show returns with brutal & uncensored roasts between regional rivals & historical enemies 👊

Some of the greatest to ever step in the ring will be taking on Tokyo’s best as they seek to score points in the World Roast Battle League. And when we say greatest ever, we mean it. The entire WORLD of Roast Battle is talking about these shows.

Featuring

Mike Lawrence -Season 1 champion of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, where he demolished comics with razor-sharp, nerd-fueled brutality. A former Roastmasters showrunner, he’s written for Comedy Central Roasts, Inside Amy Schumer, Crashing, Upload, and Bupkis. His stand-up’s been featured on Conan, Seth Meyers, and Two Comedy Central specials: Sadamantium and Mega Manchild. Offstage, he's a go-to joke sniper for TV, awards shows, and anyone too famous to write their own burns. This is Mike’s first roast battle in years.

Frank Castillo - Undefeated Season 2 champion of Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle on Comedy Central, where he dethroned Matthew Broussard in the live finale judged by T.J. Miller, Jason Sudeikis, Patton Oswalt & Natasha Leggero

Since then he’s never returned to the battle ring—Until now! Roast Fest Tokyo marks his first battle back since that victory and his rise to fame.What an honor!

He’s shared stages and toured with heavyweight comics like Joe Rogan and Bert Kreischer, appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience and opening for them regularly on U.S. tours From Comedy Store doorman to Roast Battle kingpin, his return to Tokyo promises a scorcher.

Ryan Nesen — Crowned as the first-ever World Champion after winning the RBL World Championship in Denver. He's battled legends and ruled The Belly Room in LA, carving his name in roast history

Now he's headed to Tokyo to face Season 2 champ Jay Yamaki, the current Tokyo and international scene heavyweight. Who will reign supreme? Will the original world champ Ryan Nesen dominate, or will the Tokyo titan Jay Yamaki claim the throne?

Jay Yamaki — crowned Season 2 champion of Roast Battle League and reigning Roast Battle World Champion, Tokyo’s most feared word-wielder. A native Brit turned Tokyo MVP in 2024, Jay rose from proofreading adult comics to dominating the global roast scene on his way to the top! Now he faces off in Tokyo against original RBL kingpin Ryan Nesen. Who takes the crown—Tokyo’s reigning champion or the world’s first RBL winner?

Paige Wesley — Roast Battle Hall of Famer, an original Belly Room titan at the World Famous Comedy Store and undisputed RBL legend with more #1 battles than anyone in league history. Voted MVP for the "Heart of the Show,". Now Tokyo gets the privilege of witnessing her roast mastery live—she’s flying in from San Francisco to face off against the current Tokyo champ to remind the world why she’s roast royalty.

Yuki Nivez – Current Tokyo Champ faces off against the Road Warrior Paige Wesley. Yuki emerged seemingly out of nowhere in 2025 to take the roast battle world by storm. But she take on the GOAT Paige Wesley!? —expect fire, fearlessness, and knockout verse

Yurié Collins — Tokyo’s own local superstar and winner reigning Queen of Kanto, but make no mistake, she’s also a ferocious roast battler who pulls zero punches and doesn’t give a &^%$. Now she’s ready to bring the heat to Roast Fest Tokyo. Expect zero mercy, all fire—Yurié Collins isn’t here to play nice.

ABOUT YOUR HOOD'S A JOKE: Where someone lives is a crucial part of their identity and regional rivalries are a universal concept. YHAJ recreates an atmosphere similar to a high stakes sporting event, reflected by high levels of audience engagement, sold out shows in multiple festivals (Just For Laughs Montreal), and franchise shows in LA (The Comedy Store) NYC (The Stand) London (Top Secret Comedy Club) Tokyo (Tokyo Comedy Bar) Mumbai & Delhi (Canvas Laugh Club) and Bangkok (Comedy Club Asia) aside from the home base in Toronto (Yuk Yuk’s)

Welcome to the TICF! Japan's first Western Style Stand-Up Comedy Festival. The funniest week of the year!

**FESTIVAL PASS**

The Tokyo International Comedy Festival (TICF) September 11-21, 2025 and will feature Japanese & International comedians Approximately 60 shows across 8 venues such as Comedy Competitions, roast battles, Tokyo Hoe Tales, Solo Shows, International headliners, and live podcast recordings. The 11-day event will begin with a night of International comedy from famed American-Lebanese comic Sammy Obeid followed by ROASTFEST 2025 ( September 12-14 and will feature 4 former World Champs

The primary venue will be Tokyo Comedy Bar, the city’s only dedicated, standup comedy venue with 8 shows taking place at Mame Romantic (Haretara Sora ni Mame Maite) in Daikanyama and additional satellite shows at Nakameguro and Bashimchi TapRooms, The Lively Hotel, Decabar Super in Shinjuku, and the New Sanno Hotel.

The Festival is proud to welcome back Baird Brewing as its title sponsor.

**Notable shows**

Sammy Obeid September 11th.

https://fienta.com/ticf-presents-sammy-obeid-live-in-tokyo

**What is Festival Pass?**

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# Unlock the Ultimate Comedy Experience at the Tokyo International Comedy Festival!

🎭**Festival Pass: Your Ticket to Laughter** 🎭

The Tokyo International Comedy is an 11-day celebration of comedy, and the Festival Pass is your golden key to experiencing it all!

### Why Grab the Festival Pass?

🌟 ***Access to 45 Spectacular Shows:*** With your Festival Pass, you gain entry to nearly all 60+ comedy shows at this year's festival. From hilarious stand-up routines to side-split, and the chaos of Roast Battle you won't miss a moment of the action!

💸 ***Unbeatable Value:*** At just 5000¥, the Festival Pass is a steal, and includes the show that you bought it for. Here’s the magic: each show can be reserved for only 500¥ with your pass. That’s right—after just 2 shows, your pass has already paid for itself!

✨ ***Flexibility and Freedom:*** With access to every show, you can mix and match your schedule to catch your favorite comedians or discover new ones. The pass gives you the freedom to explore and enjoy the festival at your own pace.

### How It Works:

***Purchase Your Pass:*** Buy the Festival Pass from the ticketing page of any TICF show for just 5000¥. This includes entry to your first show.

***Reserve Your Shows:*** Reserve other TICF shows for only ¥500. Happy Hour Shows are free. Shows may sell out so make sure to reserve your spot early.

***Enjoy the Festival:*** Sit back, relax, and let the laughter roll as you take in every hilarious moment.

Don’t Miss Out!

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**★About Tokyo Comedy Bar★**

Tokyo Comedy Bar is the home for stand-up comedy in Japan, offering shows in both English & Japanese! And offering 8 taps of craft beer to boot! We have shows each night of the week, plus comedy courses to help you get started on the stage - check the schedule and come on down! We are easy to find too – just 30 secs from Shibuya station.

Directions/Map here: https://www.tokyocomedybar.com/venue