The early 1980s prominently featured quick, snappy styles of "manzai", but Downtown took the opposite approach, using a slow, mumbling tone which baffled older comedians. While other duos performed "manzai" facing the audience, Downtown would face each other as if they were simply conversing, ignoring the presence of the audience. Their contribution to "manzai" is immeasurable; it has been remarked that "manzai" will never be the same after Downtown, and many aspiring comedians have copied parts of Downtown's style. It is notable that Downtown never had a mentor (it was common for younger comedians to be "trained" by older, more experienced comedians) which was essential to the development of their own, unorthodox style.