Amazon Japan adapting Oz comedy ‘No Activity’

Amazon Prime Video has commissioned a Japanese adaptation of Australian comedy No Activity as an Amazon Original.

Produced by Daiei Film/TV, written by Jiro of the comedy duo Sissone and directed by Tsutomu Hanabusa, the series will follow Shingo Tokita (Etsushi Toyokawa), a constantly low-ranked detective who has given up on building a successful career, and his people-pleaser rookie buddy, Asobu Shiina (Tomoya Nakamura). Together, the two make sensational things happen as they partner on a drug investigation.

The format was originally created by Trent O’Donnell and Patrick Brammall and produced by Jungle Entertainment for Australian streaming service Stan in 2015. It has since been picked up for adaptation in multiple countries, including CBS All Access/Paramount+ in the US, HBO Max in Spain, NPO3 in the Netherlands, Streamz in Belgium, RTL Now in Germany and OSN for the Middle East.

This marks the first adaptation of the format in Asia – and the first third-party format to be adapted for Amazon Japan.

“No Activity is an innovative detective series and a hugely fun ride. We are thrilled to bring this series and these characters to life with some of the most talented creatives working behind the camera in Japan today,” said Erika North, head of Amazon Studios Asia-Pacific. “We hope audiences enjoy this unexpected story featuring your favorite stars as you’ve never seen them before.”

Jason Burrows, CEO of Jungle Entertainment, added: “To see No Activity launching on Amazon Japan is very exciting and a little surreal. When we shot the original pilot for this show in our carpark downstairs we had no idea the series and then the format would do so well around the world.”

The deal was brokered by MassMedia International and India-based talent firm Tulsea, with the series set to debut on Prime Video on 17 December.

“We are incredibly honored and proud to see No Activity become the first scripted format adapted for Amazon Japan. The format is uniquely suited to appeal to audiences in every region while attracting top local talent in front of and behind the camera. It’s success continues to grow globally and we have high expectations for great results in Japan and all of the territories producing local adaptations internationally,” commented Tyler Massey, president of MassMedia International.