Disney+ Signs New Development Deal With Japan’s The Seven
Disney has announced a brand new multi-year co-development agreement with the Japanese production company, The Seven, to create brand new live-action shows for Disney+.
This deal will see the two companies jointly develop Japanese-language shows for Disney+, with an aim to create bold, emotionally resonant stories from Japan for Disney around the world.
Carol Choi, Executive Vice President, Original Content Strategy for Disney APAC, said in a statement regarding the deal:
“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. 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.”
Narita Gaku, executive director of content production at The Walt Disney Company Japan, added: “
We aim to nurture distinctive Japanese stories that feel authentic, enduring, and genuinely meaningful to audiences.”
Katsuaki Setoguchi, President and CEO of The Seven, added:
“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.”
Roger’s Take: We’ve seen Disney slowly adjusting its international strategy for Disney+ over the past few years, and this new development deal should hopefully deliver some interesting new shows for Disney+ subscribers around the world in the years to come. The team have been behind many hit shows on Netflix such as “Alice in Borderland” and “Yu Yu Hakusho.” Disney has also had lots of success in both Japan and around the world with some of its Japanese shows, such as “Gannibal”, “Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation” and FX’s “Shōgun.”
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