Originally launched in March 2026 as a three-hour prime-time celebrity special - the format's first adaptation in Asia - The Floor has quickly earned a broader commitment from Nippon TV, which has now commissioned a full season. The new season will air as a weekly series, with an all-celebrity cast of 32 contestants. Junichi Okada, the award-winning actor whose international profile continues to rise following the Netflix series Last Samurai Standing, returns as host.
Shuichi Oi, Managing Director, Programming & Platform Strategy, Content Strategy Headquarters, Nippon TV: “Nippon TV's edition of The Floor received an overwhelmingly positive response when it first premiered this March; its fast-paced gameplay and strategic psychological battles set it apart from traditional Japanese quiz shows. Following that success, we are delighted to bring the show to Japanese audiences as a regular weekly series. The Floor goes beyond the boundaries of a conventional quiz format to deliver compelling human drama, laying bare the contestants' raw emotions and relentless determination. We believe it will become must-watch weekly viewing for Japanese audiences from October onward.”
Misaki Nanzai, Creative Director, Nippon TV: “The Japanese version of The Floor brings together top comedians, celebrities, YouTubers, and even Olympic medalists for fierce head-to-head battles to stay in the game. Knowledge alone is not enough - it also takes unwavering mental strength, strategic thinking, and the ability to make split-second decisions under pressure. I am truly delighted to bring audiences the genuine emotion and human drama that only a competition as intense as The Floor can draw out of its contestants.”
Sebastian van Barneveld, Director Global Distribution at Talpa Studios: “A second season in Japan is an exceptional achievement and something we're incredibly proud of. Japan is one of the world's most competitive entertainment markets, where recommissions for international formats are far from guaranteed. Seeing The Floor return so quickly is a fantastic endorsement of the format's universal appeal and a testament to the outstanding collaboration with Nippon TV.”
In the original version of The Floor, 100 quiz fanatics face off in quiz duels on a giant LED floor divided into one hundred equal squares, each representing its own field of knowledge. The goal is to conquer the entire floor and take home a huge cash prize. The rules are simple. A random contestant challenges an adjoining opponent in a quiz duel. They play against each other in the category of the opponent's square. Categories range from 'famous athletes' to 'Hollywood actors' and from ‘iconic buildings’ to 'mammals'. Some questions are visually supported by photographs, others by sound, while other duels focus on open questions, multiple choice, association: the possibilities are endless. The winner of a duel conquers his opponent's square, gaining more ground - the loser leaves the game. The further the game progresses, the more exciting the duels become and the higher the stakes. After eight episodes, who will be the last person standing on The Floor, winning 100,000 euros?
