Disney+ has truck new multi-year co-development agreement with Japanese production company The Seven.
The pact will see Disney+ Japan and the Tokyo‑based producer, which owned by TBS Holdings, jointly developing Japanese-language live-action series that will play exclusively on the streamer.
This marks Disney’s first deal of this nature with a Japanese production house.
Disney’s content team will be involved from early stage development, working to create “bold, emotionally resonant stories from Japan” for Disney+’s platform around the world.
“What excites us the most is the opportunity to work even more closely with Japan’s vibrant creative community, to develop stories that capture the country’s unique voice and imagination,” said Carol Choi, Executive Vice President, Original Content Strategy for Disney APAC.
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“Since the launch of Disney+ in Japan, general entertainment and local originals have become an increasingly important part of our content offering, making this collaboration a natural evolution in accelerating our content investment. It builds on the strong relationships we’ve developed over time and represents a meaningful step forward in deepening our storytelling roots in Japan, where local content, alongside our global franchises, continues to resonate with audiences.”
The Seven is behind the likes of HBO’s Song of the Samurai and owns VFX and studio assets. In 2022, it struck a development deal with Netflix similar to this pact with Disney+, as we revealed at the time. We’re seeking clarity on the status of that deal, which in theory was planned to run until 2027.
Katsuaki Setoguchi, President and CEO of The Seven, said: “This collaboration is a vital step in reinforcing our unwavering commitment to ‘continuously creating innovative content from Japan that captivates the world.’ It is an honor to enter into this historic deal with Disney, a company that brings diverse stories to every corner of the globe.
“I am confident that by unleashing the refined creativity of The Seven through Disney’s extensive network and expertise, we can evolve Japanese stories into the ‘next craze’ that people truly fall in love with. We will continue to transcend borders and language barriers in pursuit of authentic and innovative works that remain etched in the hearts of viewers forever. Please look forward to the moment when Japanese content creation reaches new heights.”