One of Japan’s most legendary comedy formats is officially going global. Yoshimoto Kogyo has teamed up with the entertainment giant Banijay to bring the iconic no laughing batsu game series to audiences around the world. Known in English as YOU LAUGH YOU LOSE, the show is a spin-off from the long-running program Gaki no Tsukai.

The premise is simple but brutal. Comedians are trapped in a specific setting like a school or a hospital for twenty four hours and must endure constant comedy traps. If they crack a smile or laugh, they get hit with a physical punishment. It was a massive New Year’s Eve tradition in Japan for fifteen years before the final special aired in 2020.

Now, Banijay is set to produce local versions in over twenty five countries, including the US, the UK, and Australia. This move follows the massive international success of Documental, which was adapted into the hit series LOL: Last One Laughing.

James Townley from Banijay noted that they are thrilled to bring such a high energy and hilarious concept to new markets. Hiroshi Fujiwara of Yoshimoto Kogyo expressed his excitement about seeing how different cultures put their own spin on the no laughing challenge. It looks like the world is about to find out just how hard it is to keep a straight face under pressure.