Benza English

Benza English is a Japanese on demand comedy series that premiered on Amazon Prime Video via Prime Video Direct in April 2020 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan.[1] Shortly after, it began streaming in seventy additional territories.[2]

Benza English
GenreSitcom
Created byChristopher McCombs
Directed byRaito Nishizaka, Michael Williams
Starring
Theme music composerTakahiro Nomiya
Opening theme"Rise Above it" by Takahiro Nomiya
Country of originJapan
Original languagesJapanese, English
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Producers
  • Christopher McCombs
  • Kristi Woodward
  • Haku Inko
Production locationsNakano, Tokyo, Japan
Running time25 minutes
Production companyTokyo Cowboys
Release
Original releaseApril 9,  2020 (2020-04-09)

The show is a spin-off of the Japanese on demand comedy series The Benza, and features Kyle (Kyle Card) and Chris (Christopher McCombs) as well as many other returning characters from the original show. The main plot follows Kaori (Kaori Ikeda) who receives a mysterious offer to become the host of her own English language show and takes place between "The Benza" series 1 and series 2.[3] The eight-episode season was filmed entirely on location in Tokyo, Japan by co-directors Raito Nishizaka and Michael Williams.[4]

History

"Benza English" began as a corner in episode 4 of series 1 of The Benza, where Kaori Ikeda appeared as the host of an English educational show that helps characters by teaching inappropriate English.[5] The spin-off series was formally announced on the 26th of August in 2019 after Christopher McCombs won Best Actor and Janni Olsson won Best Supporting Actress for their roles of Chris and Alena respectively in the original series at Korea's Seoul Webfest.[6]

Michael Williams was brought in to co-direct with returning director Raito Nishizaka. Talking about the experience working with Raito Nishizaka with Asia Film Festival, Michael said, "Working in tandem with Raito was perfect. With both of us directing together, "Benza English" is an unprecedented show, combining Japanese and English humor together."[7] Actress Haku Inko (Inko Sensei) was additionally promoted to Line Producer at the start of the production.

Creator and Producer Christopher McCombs said on Japanese news site Soranews, "With "The Benza", we focused on what life in Tokyo is like for a foreigner against the backdrop of a hyper-realistic comedy. With "Benza English", we focused on the Japanese entertainment industry in general against the backdrop of a chaotic English language learning show."[8]

Plot

Kaori (Kaori Ikeda) is the host of an English language show that takes place in the world of The Benza. She is assisted by Maria (Maria Papadopoulou) and Hamilton (Aver Hamilton) who introduce English phrases. The ghost Tamura (Masahito Kawahata) occasionally appears to explain difficult grammar. Each episode focuses on a different theme and utilizes different characters from The Benza, like Inko Sensei (Haku Inko) and Alena Treasurehunter (Janni Olsson), to help introduce additional words and phrases related to the lesson. The Benza main characters Chris (Christopher McCombs) and Kyle (Kyle Card) end each episode with a recap of the lesson.

Cast
  • Kaori Ikeda as Kaori[9]
  • Maria Papadopoulou as Maria
  • Aver Hamilton II as Hamilton
  • Kyle Card as Kyle
  • Christopher McCombs as Chris.
  • Haku Inko as Inko-sensei.
  • Michiko Noguchi as Noguchi.
  • Masahito Kawahata as Tamura.
  • Janni Olsson as Alena.
  • Lee Min Kuk as Lee.
  • Alexander Hunter as David.
  • Hannah Grace as Stephanie.
  • Shizuka Anderson as Carol.

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Beginnings"Raito Nishizaka & Michael WilliamsChristopher McCombsMarch 20, 2020 (2020-03-20)
Bob gets to an office for his first day of work, only for the Japanese staff to be confused as to why he’s there. Kaori with the help of Maria, Fanny Deep and Hiromi gives them advice as to how to get him to leave their office.
2"Burns"Raito Nishizaka & Michael WilliamsChristopher McCombsMarch 31, 2020 (2020-03-31)
Things go wrong on the set of Shayna Sanpo, as Japanese actress Risa forgets her lines and is chewed out by Shayna. Kaori, Hamilton, Inko Sensei and Kosuke come up with some burns for Risa to use against Shayna.
3"Drunk"Raito Nishizaka & Michael WilliamsChristopher McCombsApril 16, 2020 (2020-04-16)
Noguchi comes across a Japanese woman - Carol - who has seemingly forgot all Japanese and can only speak English. It’s clear to her that she must be drunk. Kaori, Maria, Za and DJ Ace 1 come up with phrases Noguchi can use to help the woman get home.
4"Fart"Raito Nishizaka & Michael WilliamsChristopher McCombsApril 16, 2020 (2020-04-16)
Shooting on Shayna Sanpo gets interrupted, as a customer in a Korean restaurant farts on the host. Kaori, Maria, Fanny Deep and Hiromi help him out by making up excuses to cover up his fart.
5"Sleep"Raito Nishizaka & Michael WilliamsChristopher McCombsMay 6, 2020 (2020-05-06)
Bob is asleep at the office. Tomoko and Tatsuya try to wake him to no avail. Kaori, Hamilton, Naito and Hiro try to make English phrases to wake him up.
6"Pick Up Lines"Raito Nishizaka & Michael WilliamsChristopher McCombsMay 6, 2020 (2020-05-06)
Kaori is tricked out of the studio and tries to introduce herself to a handsome man in a cafe. Maria, Hamilton, Risa and Hiro help out from the studio creating pick up lines for her to use.
7"Getting Fired"Raito Nishizaka & Michael WilliamsChristopher McCombsDecember 27, 2020 (2020-12-27)
After firing Hamilton and Maria, Mr. O enters as Kaori’s new assistant. Hamilton gets interviewed by Bob for a job, much to Tomoko’s dismay. Hiro and Aoi help create lines to fire Bob from the office, however Mr. O’s advice is much harsher than Hamilton and Maria, causing Bob to break down.
8"Apologies"Raito Nishizaka & Michael WilliamsChristopher McCombsDecember 30, 2020 (2020-12-30)
Risa and Shayna come to blows again on the set of Shayna Sanpo. Seeing that she’s hurt, Risa goes against the advice given by Mr. O and decides to apologize. Mr. O reveals himself to be a demon sent from Ben to ruin the show. Za sends him back to Ben and Kaori goes to speak with Hamilton, Maria and Tamura where they all apologize to each other.

Reception

Japan Times writer Matt Schley wrote, “Like the main series, “Benza English” pokes fun at Japan and its occasionally awkward relationship with its non-Japanese population, though it just as often turns the tables. The fourth-wall-breaking characters even have some choice words for viewers who gave the original “The Benza” one-star reviews online."[10]

Awards and honors
David Hits it Hard from Benza English at Tokyo Comic Con

The following are awards that have been earned by the cast and crew of "Benza English" series 1 in 2020:

Award Category Nominee(s) Result
Cult Critics Film Festival[11] Best Supporting Actress Maria Papadopoulou Won
Best Television Series Benza English Won
Festigious Film Festival[12] Best Television Series Benza English Won
Seoul Webfest[13] Best Guest Star Naito Satoko Won
Rising Star Alexander Hunter Won
Asian Cinematography Awards[14] Best Web Drama Benza English Won
Eurasia International Monthly Film Festival[15] Best Web Episode Benza English Won
Oniros Film Awards[16] Best Ensemble Award Benza English Cast Won
DMOFF 2020[17] Best Web Series Benza English Won
Festival Choice Award Benza English Won
Druk International Film Festival[18] Best Television Series Benza English Won
Best Supporting Actor Aver Hamilton II Won
Asia Web Awards Best Comedy Actress Kaori Ikeda Won
Best Supporting Actor Min Lee Kuk Won

Spin-off series
See also: The Benza RPG

In 2020, a spin-off retro rpg video game called The Benza RPG was announced.[19] 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.[20]

References
  1. "Watch Benza English". www.amazon.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-03. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  2. "日本発、低予算のインディー作品ながら世界各国で賞を総ナメ！ 世界を爆笑させたコメディドラマが120カ国で配信決定！ – ニュース". Rooftop (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  3. "The Benza (Prime Video) : interviews de l'équipe -". smallthings.fr (in French). 2020-07-03. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  4. "フリーアナウンサー内藤聡子 初のドラマ出演で日本人初の特別ゲスト賞受賞 「新たなチャレンジに感謝」". ニコニコニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  5. "Toilet-seat themed comedic-adventure The Benza breaks new ground for foreign talent in Japan". SoraNews24 -Japan News-. 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  6. author (2019-08-25). "実話に基づいた日本発のコメディ作品「The Benza」が韓国で開催された世界最大級のドラマ賞で主演男優賞と助演女優賞を受賞！". WMR Tokyo – アイドル、アニメ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-12-12. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  7. "Japan New Media Film: Benza English Series One | 日本新媒体短片 – Asian Film Festival, Los Angeles". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  8. "Exercise your English and your toilet humor with Benza English". SoraNews24 -Japan News-. 2020-06-01. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  9. "日本発、自主制作コメディドラマ『The Benza』が世界120か国で配信開始". TV LIFE web (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  10. Schley, Matt (2020-05-14). "'The Benza' proves that toilet humor is universal". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  11. "MONTHLY RESULT: MARCH 2020". Cult Critic. 2020-04-23. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  12. "APRIL 2020". festigious. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  13. "2020 Award Winners". Seoul Webfest. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  14. admin. "April 2020 WINNERS | Asian Cinematography AWARDS". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  15. "Eurasia International Monthly Film Festival: April 2020 Winners" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-09-25.
  16. "Oniros Film Awards: May 2020 Winners" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-09-23.
  17. "DMOFF | Winner February 2020". DMOFF. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  18. "RESULTS – Page 2 – Druk International Film Festival". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  19. "Le RPG Benza apporte une action rétro gratuite aux appareils PC et iOS". 45secondes.fr (in French). 31 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  20. "The Benza RPG: Story". tokyo-cowboys (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-09.
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