Meet Mike Staffa: The Man Behind Tokyo's Premier Improv Comedy Group

Mike Staffa is the founder and director of Pirates of Tokyo Bay, Tokyo's premier English and Japanese improv comedy group. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mike has lived in Japan since 2005 and has been performing and teaching improv comedy for over 20 years. He founded the group in 2010 and has since grown it into a monthly fixture at What the Dickens! in Ebisu. It’s a show that consistently ranks as the #1 Nightlife Activity on TripAdvisor and has been featured in Metropolis Japan, the KAYAK Tokyo Travel Guide, and the Huffington Post Japan. Beyond the stage, Mike is a recognized corporate trainer whose improv-based workshops have been adopted by Google, the American Embassy, and GLOBIS University, Japan's leading MBA platform.

Quick Facts: Mike Staffa

• Role: Founder & Director, Pirates of Tokyo Bay (2010–present)

• Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

• Years in Japan: Since 2005

• Also founded: Pirates of the Dotombori (Osaka, 2005)

• Notable speaking: TED@Tokyo Talk - "Why You Won't Die on Stage" (2012)

• Featured on: GLOBIS Unlimited - "Improv Techniques for Business" and "Building Teams with Laughter"

• Countries performed in: 10+ including USA, Australia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Germany

• Previous groups: Attention-Starved Children (USA), The Big HOO-HAA (Australia)

• Pre-show ritual: Listening to "Ball Tongue" by Korn before every single show since 2001

• Hidden talent: Spreadsheets. Seriously.

From Minnesota Nice to Tokyo Nights

Mike's improv journey started in 2001 when he auditioned for the Attention-Starved Children, his college improv group in Minnesota. The moment he felt the energy from a live audience, he was hooked. "Laughter is the best medicine," he says - and he's spent the next two decades prescribing it across four continents.

After moving to Japan in 2005, Mike founded the Pirates of the Dotombori in Osaka before launching Pirates of Tokyo Bay in 2010. What began as a small group of friends performing in a British pub has grown into a 26-member international cast performing monthly to packed audiences in Ebisu.

On Stage: Guessing Games and Standing Ovations

Ask Mike his favorite improv game and the answer comes without hesitation: "1 Thing." It's a guessing game where the performer has to figure out a secret concept from the audience's clues. "If I guess it right, the audience is usually amazed," he says. That moment of connection - the collective gasp when the answer clicks…is pure improv magic.

His most memorable moments aren't the big laughs, though. They're the lines out the door. "There have been a few times I've been struck by the popularity of the group," he reflects. "When there are lines out the door of audience members waiting to get in, that is always memorable." Even more powerful: learning that couples who had their first date at a Pirates show later got married. "That one always gets me."

Off Stage: TED, GLOBIS, and the Business of Laughter

Mike's influence extends well beyond the Ebisu stage. In 2012, he and the Pirates delivered a TED Talk on cross-cultural communication through improv. His corporate training methodology, using the "Yes, And" principle to build psychological safety, active listening, and team adaptability which has been adopted by major organizations including Google Japan, BizReach, and the American Embassy.

His courses on GLOBIS Unlimited, Japan's top MBA learning platform, bring improv techniques to business professionals across the country. "Improv Techniques for Business" focuses on cross-cultural communication, while "Building Teams with Laughter" tackles the challenge of maintaining team cohesion, not just building it.

The Weird Stuff

Every performer has their rituals. Mike's is unusually specific: before every improv show he has ever performed, going back over 25 years, he listens to the same song. "Ball Tongue" by Korn. "I don't even particularly like the song," he admits. "It just became a ritual."

His hidden talent? Spreadsheets. Not a joke. The man runs a 26-member volunteer improv group across multiple countries with an organizational system built entirely on Google Sheets. (He even sells the system as the Improv Group Management Kit.)

His favorite food in Tokyo? American food, specifically the burgers at Troubadour in Tama Plaza. "I know, I know," he laughs.

And if he had to perform an improv scene in a language he doesn't speak? "Swedish. The Muppets' Swedish Chef taught me well."

See Mike Perform

Mike performs monthly with Pirates of Tokyo Bay at What the Dickens! in Ebisu, Tokyo. Every ticket includes your 1st drink free. You don't need to speak both English and Japanese to enjoy the show - the cast uses physical comedy, gibberish, and pantomime to make sure everyone laughs.

→ See upcoming show dates

→ Get tickets to an upcoming show

この記事を日本語で読む → 日本語版

Fresh Start Comedy: No Script, All Fun - April 26th in Ebisu

Blow off steam with unscripted comedy in Ebisu this April

Pirates of Tokyo Bay is Tokyo's English and Japanese improv comedy group, performing live at What the Dickens! pub in Ebisu - just one stop from Shibuya. On Sunday, April 26th, we are hosting our monthly show: two hours of completely unscripted comedy built entirely from audience suggestions. No scripts, no rehearsal, no safety net. The cast makes up every scene, character, and song on the spot. Your ticket includes your 1st drink free.

If you are looking for comedy shows in Tokyo, things to do in Ebisu this weekend, or just a night that does not follow the usual dinner-and-drinks script, this is it.

Why April is the perfect time to see this show

April in Tokyo means new jobs, new teams, new commutes, and the slow realization that Golden Week is still a month away. The Fresh Start Comedy show is designed for exactly this moment - a Sunday night pressure valve where you can sit in a pub, laugh for two hours, and forget about Monday morning for a while.

The show works for everyone. The cast performs in English and Japanese, using physical comedy, pantomime, and gibberish to make sure the entire audience is laughing regardless of what language they speak. You do not need to speak Japanese to enjoy the show. You do not need to speak English either. The comedy transcends language - that is the whole point.

What to expect on the night

Doors open at 7:00 PM at What the Dickens!, a warm British pub on the 4th floor of the Roob 6 Building in Ebisunishi. Grab a pint, order some fish and chips or a meat pie from the full pub menu, and settle in. The show kicks off at 7:30 PM and runs until approximately 9:30 PM.

During the show, a host will ask the audience for suggestions - a word, a location, a relationship, an emotion. From those sparks, the cast builds scenes from nothing. Some will be in English. Some in Japanese. Some in languages that do not exist. Every game is different, every show is unique, and the audience is part of the action.

After the show, the pub stays open. Many audience members stick around for another drink, and the cast often hangs out with the crowd. It is one of the most social, relaxed evenings you can have in Tokyo.

Who should come?

Couples looking for a date that is not another dinner reservation. Friend groups who have done karaoke one too many times. Tourists who want a genuinely local Tokyo experience. Expats who need a reason to leave the apartment on a Sunday. Solo adventurers who want to be in a room full of laughing strangers. Corporate teams looking for an informal outing.

The audience is always a mix - Japanese locals, long-term residents, travelers, international couples. That diversity is part of what makes the show special.

Show details - April 26th, 2026

• Date: Sunday, April 26th, 2026

• Doors: 7:00 PM

• Show: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• Venue: What the Dickens!, Roob 6 Bldg 4F, 1-13-3 Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0021

• Access: 3-minute walk from Ebisu Station (JR Yamanote / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line). 1 stop from Shibuya.

• Tickets: ¥2,500 (includes 1st drink free) Food: Full British pub menu available before, during, and after the show

👉 Buy Tickets 👉 Full Show Schedule

Want to learn more about improv comedy? Read our explainer: What Is Improv Comedy? (And How Is It Different from Stand-Up?)

Meet our cast, starting with scientist-turned-improviser Jacqueline Tay.

What Is Improv Comedy? (And How Is It Different from Stand-Up?)

Improv comedy (short for improvisational comedy) is a form of live theatre where performers create scenes, characters, and dialogue entirely on the spot, with zero script, zero rehearsed material, and zero safety net. Stand-up comedy, by contrast, is a solo art form where a comedian delivers a pre-written, rehearsed set of jokes and stories to an audience. The core difference comes down to one thing: preparation. A stand-up comedian walks on stage knowing exactly what they will say. An improv performer walks on stage knowing absolutely nothing, and that is precisely what makes it electric.

Quick Facts: Improv vs Stand-Up Comedy

• Improv = unscripted, ensemble-based, audience-driven. Stand-up = scripted, solo, comedian-driven.

• Improv performers build scenes from audience suggestions in real time.

• Stand-up comedians write and refine their material over weeks or months before performing it.

• Both are forms of live comedy, but the audience experience is fundamentally different.

• Improv shows are interactive, the audience shapes the show. Stand-up shows are observational, the audience watches the show.

• Famous improv training grounds include The Second City (Chicago), UCB (New York), and iO Theater (Chicago).

How Does an Improv Comedy Show Actually Work?

If you have never seen an improv show before, here is what to expect. A group of performers, usually four to eight, takes the stage together. A host asks the audience for a suggestion: a word, a location, a relationship, an emotion. From that single spark, the cast builds an entire scene from scratch. There is no director calling the shots. No one knows what will happen next. The performers listen to each other, react in the moment, and follow wherever the scene takes them.

Short-form improv (the style performed by groups like Pirates of Tokyo Bay in Tokyo) uses quick games and exercises with specific rules, think of it like the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Each game lasts just a few minutes, and the format keeps the energy high and the laughs constant.

Long-form improv builds extended narratives from a single audience suggestion, sometimes creating entire one-act plays or musicals on the spot. Companies like The Second City in Chicago pioneered this approach, and groups such as Impro Japan continue to push its boundaries in Asia.

Both formats share one principle that separates improv from every other comedy form: "Yes, And." This foundational rule means that performers accept whatever their scene partner offers ("Yes") and then build on it ("And"). It is the engine that keeps improv scenes moving forward, and it is also the reason improv training has become a powerful tool for corporate team-building and communication workshops around the world.

Stand-Up Comedy: A Different Beast

Stand-up comedy is a solo craft. A comedian writes jokes, tests them at open mics, edits and rearranges the material, then performs a polished set in front of a live audience. The best stand-up comedians, from Eddie Murphy to Hannah Gadsby, make it look effortless, but the reality is that a single five-minute set can take months to perfect.

The audience's role in stand-up is reactive: you laugh, you clap, you groan. But you do not shape the content. The comedian has a plan, and they execute it. This makes stand-up a showcase of writing skill and stage presence, while improv is a showcase of spontaneity and ensemble chemistry.

In Tokyo, the stand-up scene has grown rapidly. Venues like Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya offer nightly shows in English and Japanese, giving audiences a chance to experience the solo-performance format. Meanwhile, groups like The Empty Stage (produced by Yoshimoto Kogyo) bring the improv format to Japanese-speaking audiences, using Second City methodology and featuring well-known comedians (芸人) from the Japanese entertainment world.

So Which One Should You See?

Both. Seriously. They are complementary experiences, not competitors. But if you are trying to decide between the two for a date night, a group outing, or a unique Tokyo itinerary stop, here is a simple guide:

Choose stand-up if you love observational humor, storytelling, and watching one person command a room.

Choose improv if you want to be part of the show, you enjoy unpredictability, and you want an experience that could never be repeated.

Choose Pirates of Tokyo Bay if you want improv comedy performed in English and Japanese simultaneously. Where you do not need to speak both languages to have a great time. The cast uses physical comedy, gibberish, and pantomime to bridge any language gap. Whether you only speak English, only speak Japanese, or are somewhere in between, you will follow the fun and laugh out loud. Every ticket includes your 1st drink free, and the show takes place at What the Dickens!, an authentic British pub, just a 3-minute walk from the station and 1 stop from Shibuya.

Where to See Live Comedy in Tokyo

Tokyo's live comedy scene is one of the most diverse in Asia. Here are some options. For a full guide to live comedy in Tokyo, see our 2026 directory.

Improv Comedy (即興コメディ):

• Pirates of Tokyo Bay: English and Japanese improv, monthly on Sundays at What the Dickens! in Ebisu. Tickets: ¥2,500 (1 drink included). → monthly comedy shows

• The Empty Stage: Japanese-language improv produced by Yoshimoto Kogyo, featuring professional comedians performing Second City-style short-form games.

• Impro Japan: Japanese-language long-form improv and musical improv, with workshops and public shows.

Stand-Up Comedy (スタンドアップコメディ):

• Tokyo Comedy Bar: English and Japanese stand-up, nightly in Shibuya. Craft beer on tap.

Whether you are a tourist planning your Tokyo itinerary, a local looking for a fun night out, or an expat searching for something in English, live comedy is one of the best things to do in Tokyo. Still want to know more, check out our complete guide to improv comedy in Tokyo.

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Whichever you choose, it's sure to be a more exciting and memorable night than your usual karaoke or izakaya experience. Tokyo's comedy scene is world-class. Be sure to check it out!

→ View the performance schedule for Pirates of Tokyo Bay

Want to get know some of the members? Meet Jacqueline, our resident scientist and performer.
Looking to study improv, check out our newly re-launched Pirates University.

即興コメディ（インプロ）とは？スタンドアップコメディとの違いをわかりやすく解説

即興コメディ（インプロビゼーション、通称インプロ）とは、台本も打ち合わせも一切なしで、演者がその場でシーンやキャラクター、セリフをゼロから作り上げるライブエンターテインメントです。一方、スタンドアップコメディは、コメディアンが事前に書いて練り上げたネタを1人でステージ上で披露するソロパフォーマンスです。両者の最大の違いは「準備」にあります。スタンドアップコメディアンは何を話すか決めてステージに立ちます。即興コメディの演者は何も決めずにステージに立ちます。だからこそ、2つとして同じショーが生まれることはありません。

クイックファクト：即興コメディ vs スタンドアップコメディ

• 即興コメディ（インプロ） ＝ 台本なし・チームで演じる・観客参加型。スタンドアップコメディ ＝ 台本あり・1人で演じる・コメディアン主導。

• インプロでは、観客からもらった「お題」をもとにリアルタイムでシーンを作ります。

• スタンドアップコメディアンは、数週間〜数ヶ月かけてネタを書き、磨いてから本番に臨みます。

• どちらもお笑いライブですが、観客の体験はまったく異なります。

• インプロは参加型——観客がショーを動かします。スタンドアップは鑑賞型——観客はショーを観ます。

• 世界的に有名なインプロの拠点には、セカンドシティ（The Second City）（シカゴ）、UCB（ニューヨーク）、iOシアター（シカゴ）などがあります。

即興コメディショーって、実際どんな感じ？

初めてインプロを観る方のために、当日の流れを説明します。まず、4〜8人の演者がステージに上がります。司会者が観客にお題を求めます。「場所」「関係性」「感情」「ひとつの単語」など、なんでもOK。その1つのキーワードから、キャストが即座にシーンを作り上げます。演出家はいません。次に何が起こるかは誰にもわかりません。演者同士がお互いの言葉に耳を傾け、瞬時に反応し、シーンが向かう先へ全力で飛び込んでいきます。

ショートフォーム（短編）インプロは、ルールが設定されたゲーム形式で進行し、1つのゲームは数分程度。テレビ番組で言えば海外の『Whose Line Is It Anyway?』に近いスタイルです。東京で活動するパイレーツ・オブ・東京湾はこのショートフォームを採用しており、テンポの速い展開で笑いが絶えません。

ロングフォーム（長編）インプロは、1つのお題から長い物語や即興ミュージカルを作り上げるスタイルです。シカゴのセカンドシティがこの手法を確立し、日本ではインプロジャパンが即興ミュージカルや長編ドラマを展開しています。

どちらの形式にも共通する大原則が「Yes, And（イエス・アンド）」です。相手のアイデアを否定せず受け入れ（Yes）、自分のアイデアを加える（And）。このルールがあるからこそ、即興のシーンは前に進みます。そしてこの考え方が、近年企業研修やチームビルディングの場でも注目されている理由です。吉本興業のプロデュースによる**エンプティ・ステージ（THE EMPTY STAGE）**は、セカンドシティのメソッドを取り入れた即興コントショーを展開しており、芸人だけでなく一般企業向けのインプロワークショップも開催しています。

スタンドアップコメディ：まったく別の芸術

スタンドアップコメディは、コメディアン1人の力で成り立つ芸術です。ネタを書き、オープンマイクでテストし、編集・並び替えを繰り返し、完成度の高いセットを観客の前で披露します。5分間のネタを完成させるのに数ヶ月かかることも珍しくありません。

観客の役割は「リアクション」です。笑う、拍手する、うなる。しかし、ショーの内容を変えることはできません。コメディアンには計画があり、それを実行します。スタンドアップは文章力とステージ上の存在感が問われる世界。インプロは瞬発力とチームワークが問われる世界です。

東京のスタンドアップシーンも急成長中です。渋谷の東京コメディバー（Tokyo Comedy Bar）では、毎晩英語と日本語のスタンドアップコメディを上演しており、クラフトビールを飲みながらソロパフォーマンスを楽しむことができます。

結局、どっちを観に行けばいい？

どちらも観てください。本気で言っています。2つの体験はライバルではなく、補い合う関係です。ただ、デートやグループのお出かけ、東京観光の予定で迷っている方のために、簡単なガイドをお伝えします。

スタンドアップがおすすめな人： 1人のコメディアンの話術に引き込まれたい。じっくり観賞したい。

インプロがおすすめな人： 自分もショーの一部になりたい。予測不能な展開にワクワクしたい。二度と再現できない体験がしたい。

パイレーツ・オブ・東京湾がおすすめな人： 日本語と英語で楽しめる即興コメディを体験したい方。英語がわからなくても大丈夫です。キャストはジェスチャー、デタラメ語（ギブリッシュ）、パントマイムを駆使するので、日本語だけ、英語だけの方でも直感的に笑えます。チケットは1ドリンク付で、会場は恵比寿のブリティッシュパブ「What the Dickens!」——恵比寿駅から徒歩3分、渋谷からたった1駅です。東京で面白い体験を探しているなら、ライブコメディは最高の選択肢です。

東京でライブコメディを観られる場所

東京のライブコメディシーンはアジアでも屈指の多様さを誇ります。

即興コメディ（インプロ）：

• パイレーツ・オブ・東京湾 — 日本語と英語の即興コメディ。恵比寿のWhat the Dickens!にて毎月日曜日に開催。チケット ¥2,500（1ドリンク付）。→ 月例コメディショー

• エンプティ・ステージ（THE EMPTY STAGE） — 吉本興業プロデュースの日本語即興コントショー。セカンドシティのメソッドを活用。

• インプロジャパン — 日本語の長編インプロ・即興ミュージカル。ワークショップや公演を実施。

スタンドアップコメディ：

• 東京コメディバー（Tokyo Comedy Bar） — 渋谷にて英語と日本語のスタンドアップを毎晩上演。クラフトビールも充実。

観光で東京を訪れている方も、地元で面白い体験を探している方も、英語のイベントを探している方も——ライブコメディは東京で最高の夜の過ごし方のひとつです。即興コメディとは（詳しい解説）。

メンバーの素顔をもっと知りたい方はこちら。科学者でありパフォーマーでもあるジャックリーン・テイのインタビューをぜひご覧ください。インプロを学びたい方は、再始動したPirates Universityもチェック！

👉 チケット購入 👉 公演スケジュール