“Man or Mannequin?”, the competitive gameshow format produced by Japan’s leading multiplatform entertainment powerhouse Nippon TV, has been optioned for adaption in the Italian market by Italian production company Casta Diva. The announcement was made today by Sayako Aoki, Head of International Sales at Nippon TV, and Massimo Righini and Fabio Nesi, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer, respectively, at Casta Diva Pictures.

“Man or Mannequin?”, which launched globally at MIPCOM 2024, is a high-stakes, team-based game show where celebrity contestants race against time to find mannequins cleverly hidden throughout the city. Contestants might find a mannequin baby in a stroller at a shopping arcade or realize that a woman sitting cozily with a partner on a park bench is actually a mannequin. Each mannequin found brings the team closer to victory, but hidden among them are fake mannequins and humans pretending to be mannequins trying to fool the contestants. As the game progresses, expanding into new locations with even more cunning and witty disguises, the challenge intensifies. Former teammates might become rivals, using their knowledge of each other’s strategies to outwit and outplay as they try determining what is real or fake.

Sayako Aoki, Head of International Sales at Nippon TV noted, “Since the launch of “Man or Mannequin?” last October, we have been receiving positive feedback towards this format from around the world for its light-hearted, hilarious content which can provide viewers with a little break from their busy everyday life. We are excited to work with Casta Diva Pictures towards its first international version and looking forward to seeing what their creativity brings to this format.”

“Being able to option this format while other global companies had also been showing interest is a great honor. We immediately understood that “Man or Mannequin?” has a very high entertainment potential that comes from a simple but brilliant idea that only the Nippon TV team could create. We can’t wait to propose it to an Italian broadcaster. We are sure that an idea like this has never been proposed.” said Massimo Righini, Chief Operating Officer at Casta Diva Pictures.

 Fabio Nesi, Chief Executive Officer at Casta Diva Picture commented, “We are proud to have been chosen by an entertainment giant like Nippon TV to bring an innovative format to the Italian audience. This decision highlights our ability to look beyond national borders to seize the best international opportunities and bring innovation to the Italian market. Leveraging our extensive experience in producing high-quality content, coupled with our deep knowledge of the international market, we will be able to create an Italian edition of “Man or Mannequin?” that reflects the tastes and expectations of the local audience, while maintaining the originality and charm of the original format.”