| Summary | “Maanee〜” is a soft, drawn-out way of saying “Yeah, I guess so,” often used to humbly accept praise or attention—while clearly enjoying it. It became a catchphrase thanks to Tanabe-san from the all-female Japanese comedy group Boru-Juku . Her relaxed, smug delivery turned the phrase into a comedic highlight and meme-worthy moment. |
| Genre | Comedy / Reaction Phrase |
| Typical Age Group | 10–40 years old Particularly popular among teens and women who enjoy light, relatable humor. |
| Audience | Fans of female comedians and variety shows People who appreciate dry, low-energy comedy |
| Popularity | ★★★☆☆ “Maanee〜” remains a beloved phrase in Japanese pop culture, often used in memes, variety shows, and by influencers imitating the tone. It’s recognized widely, especially in online spaces. |
| Relevance | ★★★☆☆ |
| Usability | ★★★★★ |
| When to Use | When someone compliments you and you want to joke about being modestly proud To respond in a stylishly low-effort way In sarcastic or playful reactions with friends |
| How to Use | Tilt your head slightly, touch or flick your hair, smile smugly, and slowly say: “Maaaneee〜〜” The key is to drag it out softly and show a “Yeah, I’m awesome and I know it” vibe. |
| Cultural Note | The phrase gained popularity from Boru-Juku, a comedy group known for their calm, food-loving, and honest tone. Tanabe’s use of “Maanee〜” became iconic because it defied the loud, fast-paced style of typical Japanese comedy. It reflected a shift in comedic trends—toward gentle, relatable humor with character-based charm. Many people now use the phrase online in a self-aware, ironic way to accept compliments or poke fun at themselves. |
Original Performance
You can hear this phrase at around 01:27 in the YouTube video.