Entertainment
Prime Video plans to double its investment in Japanese original content over two years
The streaming service unveiled a slate featuring a Kore-eda Hirokazu documentary on boy band Arashi alongside major scripted adaptations.
The short version
- Prime Video executives announced plans to double the streaming platform's investment in Japanese original productions over the next two years.
- The upcoming slate features a documentary on boy band Arashi directed by Kore-eda Hirokazu, set to stream worldwide on December 15, 2026.
- The platform is also developing several live-action adaptations of Japanese literary and manga properties through 2028, alongside unscripted shows and sports programming.
Key facts
- Prime Video executives announced that the platform will double its investment in original Japanese content across the next two years.[Variety]
- The Arashi documentary '5 – Our Time as Arashi -', directed by Kore-eda Hirokazu with Bun-Buku directors Imanaka Kohei and Sunada Mami, will premiere globally on December 15, 2026.[Variety]
- The concert film 'Arashi Live Tour 2026 ‘We Are Arashi -Prime Video Edition-‘' is scheduled to release on December 21, 2026, following sequential releases of nine archival concert titles starting September 15, 2026.[Variety]
- Prime Video's upcoming scripted adaptations include 'Rock, Paper, Landmine' in November, 'Bless' in spring 2027, 'Please Save My Earth' in autumn 2027, and 'The Apothecary Diaries' in 2028.[Variety]
- Prime Video Japan country manager Oishi stated that Prime Video holds the leading position in Japan's streaming market by subscription base and user ratio, accounting for 47% of streaming anime hours in the country.[Variety]
What remains uncertain
- A specific premiere date for the second season of the anime series 'Nippon Sangoku' has not yet been set.[Variety]