| Genre: | Sitcom |
| Theme Music Composer: | Takahiro Nomiya |
| Opentheme: | "The Benza Theme" by Takahiro Nomiya |
| Country: | Japan |
| Language: | Japanese |
| Num Seasons: | 2 |
| Num Episodes: | 13 |
| Executive Producer: | Jeff Cisneros |
| Location: | Nakano, Tokyo, Japan |
| Runtime: | 20-35 minutes |
| Company: | Tokyo Cowboys |
The Benza is a Japanese web television comedy that premiered on Amazon Prime Video via Prime Video Direct in April 2019 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan.[1] It then premiered in Germany in July 2019. It is currently available in over 130 countries via Amazon Prime Video and Plex.[2]
The series follows Kyle (Kyle Card) and Chris (Christopher McCombs) as they try to figure out how their broke and prevent the end of the world. The six episode first season was filmed entirely on location in Tokyo, Japan by director Raito Nishizaka. The seven episode second season was released in Japan via Amazon Prime Video in December 2021 and was directed by Raito Nishizaka and Michael Williams.[3] The entire series was written by series creator Christopher McCombs.
"The Benza" began as a Japanese short film that was partially inspired by true events.[4] Pre-production began in early 2018 and the short film premiered in Tokyo, Japan on April 6 of the same year.[5] After receiving several awards from various film festivals around the world including Best Comedy at Mediterranean Film Festival in Italy, Rising Star for main cast Christopher McCombs and Best Pilot at Seoul Web Fest in 2018, Tokyo Cowboys received an offer from Korean mobile service KT mobile to create a series based on the short film.[6]
The first series began shooting in September 2018 and wrapped filming in mid-December. Post production continued into mid-January 2019.[7]
The second series of The Benza held its world premiere at MCM Comic Con Birmingham in November 2021[8] and held its domestic premiere in Tokyo, Japan at Nakano Zero on December 11, 2021.[9]
Series creator Christopher McCombs said on UK news site Otaku News, ""The Benza" has been in the works for over a year and I am so happy we can finally sit back and enjoy it with everyone. It's so important to take a step back and laugh so that we can get back to the important things in life. "The Benza" is the perfect way to take a break, smile, and refresh." Lead actress Haku Inko added, "We set out to make an outrageous comedy and I think we did, but it's not finished until we hear your laughter. It's such a lovely idea that people all over the world might be laughing together about "The Benza.""[10]
The Benza has been over all well received and maintains an over 4 point score on Amazon Prime Video in America, Germany, Japan, and U.K.
Sora News24 writer Master Blaster wrote, "Full of literal toilet humor and heart, this Amazon Prime series is a breath of fresh air." Master Blaster continues, "But what really stands out about The Benza is that it depicts foreigners in Japan as normal people rather than the stereotypes we are used to seeing on Japanese TV." Speaking about the international cast he says, "With a nice balance of Japanese and foreign performers, the result is a series that is able to poke fun at each other without ever being demeaning."[13]
See also: Benza English.
See also: The Benza RPG. In 2019, it was announced that "The Benza" receive a spin-off series called "Benza English".[14] Production began in late 2019, and the series was released in April 2020.[15] The series features minor characters from "The Benza" appearing in larger roles along with the original series' main cast, and is set in an English learning television show that takes place in the world of "The Benza".[16]
In 2020, a spin-off retro rpg video game called "The Benza RPG" was announced.[17] It was initially released for iOS platforms in October 2020 and takes place between "Benza English" and series two of "The Benza". The player primarily plays as Chris and Kyle as they try to save Higashi Nakano from Inko Sensei and save Lee who has been kidnapped.[18] The Benza RPG is currently available for iOS and Android devices as well as for PC and Mac via Steam in Japanese and English.[19] Plans for a Nintendo Switch port were announced by Christopher McCombs via Steam in December 2021.[20]
The following are nominations and awards that have been earned by the cast and crew of The Benza for series 1 in 2019:
| Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Festigious International Film Festival[21] | Best Web Series | The Benza | |
| Best Ensemble | The Benza | ||
| Best Song | The Benza "Running Around" | ||
| Eurasia International Monthly Film Festival[22] | Best Web Series | The Benza | |
| Seoul Webfest[23] | Best Comedy | The Benza | |
| Best Guest Star | Kaori Ikeda | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Janni Olsson | ||
| Best Director | Raito Nishizaka | ||
| Best Actor | Christopher McCombs | ||
| Best Actress | Haku Inko | ||
| Florence Film Awards[24] | Best Web/Television Award | The Benza | |
| New Jersey Web Fest[25] | Best Duo | Christopher McCombs and Kyle Card | |
| Best Theme Song | The Benza | ||
| Best Fantasy Comedy | The Benza | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Haku Inko | ||
| Cult Critics Film Festival[26] | Best Supporting Actor | Masahito Kawahata | |
| Asia Web Awards[27] | Best Actor | Kyle Card | |
| International Online Webfest[28] | Best Original Soundtrack | "The Benza" Series 1 Soundtrack, Takahiro Nomiya | |
The following are awards that have been earned by the cast and crew of The Benza during its short film iteration in 2018:
| Category | Nominee(s) | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Festigious 2018 Best Duo [29] | Christopher McCombs and Kyle Card | ||
| Seoul Webfest 2018 Best Rising Star | Christopher McCombs | ||
| Seoul Webfes 2018 Best Pilot | The Benza | ||
| Comedy World Network Int. Film Festival 2018 Best Short Film | The Benza | ||
| MedFF 2018 Best Comedy | The Benza | ||
| Unko Film Festival 2018 Best Picture | The Benza | ||
| Asia South East-Short Film Festival 2018 Best Comedy | The Benza |