Disney+ Japan has entered into a multi-year co-development agreement with The Seven, Inc. to produce live-action Japanese series exclusively for the platform and bring titles to audiences in Japan and around the world.
The deal marks the first ongoing content development partnership between Disney and a Japanese production company for global streaming, and will see Disney’s creative team work with The Seven from the ground up.
The Seven, a Tokyo-based group owned by TBS Holdings (Tokyo Broadcasting Corporation Holdings, Inc.), was launched at the end of 2021. Under the new framework, Disney and The Seven will combine their respective creative strengths to build a pipeline of original series. The company has also had a multi-year production partnership with Netflix, producing titles such as “Alice on the Edge” and “Yu Yu Hakusho.”
Carol Choi, Executive Vice President, Original Content Strategy, The Walt Disney Company APAC, said, “Since the launch of Disney+ in Japan, general entertainment and local originals have become an increasingly important part of our content offering, and this collaboration is a natural evolution as we accelerate our content investments.”
Manabu Narita, executive director of content production for The Walt Disney Company Japan, added, “We aim to cultivate uniquely Japanese stories that feel authentic, enduring, and truly meaningful to audiences.”
Katsuaki Setoguchi, President and CEO of The Seven, said, “Through Disney’s extensive network and expertise, we are confident that by unleashing The Seven’s sophisticated creativity, we can evolve Japanese storytelling into the next wave of truly immersive storytelling. We will continue to transcend borders and language barriers to create authentic, innovative works that will forever be etched in the hearts of our viewers.”
Akira Morii, executive vice president and chief creative officer who produced both seasons of Alice in Wonderland, added, “Finding a partner who shares our aspirations both expands our possibilities and gives us a deep sense of responsibility. Our mission is to take Japan’s uniquely sensitive human drama and complex setting and elevate it into the highest quality entertainment that everyone can feel like, regardless of nationality or race.”
This partnership comes as Disney+ continues to build its Japanese language foundation. The platform has previously released Japanese live-action titles such as “Gannibal” and “Disney’s Twisted Wonderland: The Animation,” as well as foreign originals such as FX’s “Shogun,” which have garnered significant ratings. Japan remains one of the platform’s key markets in the Asia-Pacific region.
