Disney+ is making a strategic move to boost its Japanese live-action original content, a move that could significantly impact the streaming landscape. The company has inked a multi-year development deal with Tokyo-based production company The Seven, a subsidiary of TBS Holdings, one of Japan's major commercial broadcasters. This partnership marks a shift for Disney+, which has traditionally acquired or co-produced titles on a project-by-project basis. The deal is a testament to the growing importance of general entertainment and local originals in Disney+'s content strategy, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. With this collaboration, Disney's content team will be embedded in the early stages of project development, working closely with The Seven's producers to shape Japanese-language series exclusively for Disney+.
The Seven has already made a name for itself as a prolific producer of live-action originals for the global streaming market, particularly through its five-year strategic partnership with Netflix. The company's highest-profile credits include the hit dystopian survival series Alice in Borderland and the manga adaptation Yu Yu Hakusho. The Disney deal positions The Seven as the rare Japanese production house with partnerships at two of the world's dominant streamers, reflecting the scarcity of experienced live-action producers with global ambitions in Japan's evolving production landscape.
This move comes at a time of accelerating competition for Japanese content. Japan's premium streaming sector grew by 15% in 2025, reaching revenues of $7.2 billion, making it the world's third-biggest premium streaming market by revenue. The country's appetite for Japanese-themed content has surged, with anime and live-action Japanese storytelling breaking through in a major way. Disney's own Shōgun, a samurai epic, swept the 2024 Emmys with a record-setting 18 wins, including best drama series. Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters noted that Japanese titles on the platform have been viewed for a cumulative 25 billion hours, making them the second-most-watched form of non-English content globally, behind only Korean.
The Disney-The Seven partnership is a strategic move that could help Disney+ tap into the growing demand for Japanese content. By unleashing The Seven's refined creativity through Disney's extensive network and expertise, the company aims to evolve Japanese stories into the 'next craze' that people truly fall in love with. Gaku Narita, Disney's executive director of content production in Japan, emphasizes the focus on developing stories that audiences will want to come back to again and again, shaping projects that reflect local creativity while meeting the high bar of storytelling that Disney+ is committed to.
In conclusion, Disney+'s development deal with The Seven is a significant step in the company's strategy to boost its live-action original content from Japan. This partnership not only strengthens Disney+'s content offering but also reflects the growing importance of Japanese storytelling in the global streaming market. As the competition for Japanese content intensifies, Disney+'s move positions it well to capitalize on the surge in demand for Japanese-themed content, potentially solidifying its position as a leading player in the streaming industry.
