Prime Video is doubling its original content investment in Japan over two years, led by a Kore-eda Hirokazu documentary on boy band Arashi's reunion tour.
Prime Video has announced a significant shift in its content strategy, stating it will double its investment in Japanese original programming over the next two years. This development was shared by three of the streamer’s top executives in a recent conversation with Variety. A highlight of this initiative is the upcoming documentary directed by renowned filmmaker Kore-eda Hirokazu, focusing on the reunion tour of the popular boy band Arashi.
The documentary, titled "5 – Our Time as Arashi –", will explore the behind-the-scenes moments of Arashi’s farewell tour, which occurred about six years after the group entered hiatus. Led by Kore-eda, the project includes contributions from directors Imanaka Kohei and Sunada Mami from his Bun-Buku production collective. The documentary is scheduled to stream globally beginning December 15, 2026. Following this release, a concert film entitled "Arashi Live Tour 2026 'We Are Arashi -Prime Video Edition-'" will be available starting December 21, 2026. Additionally, nine archival concert titles from Arashi will begin streaming sequentially from September 15, 2026.
In the same interview, Gaurav Gandhi, Vice President for Asia Pacific at Prime Video, emphasized that the investment reflects the streaming service's commitment to catering to a growing and diverse customer base in Japan. This strategy aims to include a wide array of genres—spanning anime, unscripted content, scripted shows, movies, and sports—indicating a comprehensive approach to audience engagement. Gandhi noted, "If you see when we have the best of anime, unscripted, scripted, movies, sport now coming through across the board, that's quite reflected in this."
The inclusion of Arashi in Prime Video's slate is also part of a broader strategy to connect with young adult viewers, as stated by Gandhi. By aligning popular cultural figures like Arashi with their content offerings, the platform hopes to attract both younger audiences and a wider demographic interested in music and behind-the-scenes insights. Oishi Keisuke, another executive, echoed this sentiment, stating that the audience's interest in music and cultural figures goes beyond mere entertainment, providing deeper insights into contemporary forms of cultural expression.
The doubling of investment not only signals Prime Video's ambition in Japan but also reflects a recognition of the country's rich source material across various genres. Buddy Marini, head of Amazon MGM Studios in Japan, mentioned that there is a wealth of lesser-known intellectual properties that could potentially be adapted into successful original content. Specific projects included in the upcoming slate involve adaptations of popular manga and novels, indicating a focused approach toward maximizing existing fandoms.
Prime Video’s growing portfolio will also feature series like "Bless", set to launch in spring 2027, based on a popular manga, and "Rock, Paper, Landmine," which will premiere on November 13, 2026. This scripted content, along with efforts in the anime and live-action genres, will be integral to the platform's continued growth and market presence in Japan.
Prime Video's commitment to increasing its investment in Japanese original content marks a significant move in the competitive streaming landscape. By featuring high-profile projects such as Kore-eda's documentary on Arashi, the platform aims to resonate with diverse audience segments and leverage Japan's robust cultural content landscape. As the streaming service intensifies its efforts to capture a larger segment of the Japanese market, it could reshape the way local and global audiences engage with Japanese media.
For more insights into how Prime Video is transforming its offerings, check out our articles on Utopai Studios' AI Animation Projects and Carla Jeffery, Disney’s Zombies Actress, Dies at 33 for additional entertainment updates.
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