🎌 Disney+ Bets Big on Japanese Originals
Streaming giant Disney+ has announced a major expansion of its footprint in the Japanese market. The company signed a multi-year partnership with the Tokyo-based studio The Seven, the creative powerhouse behind Netflix global hits like Alice in Borderland and YuYu Hakusho.
A Strategic Shift in Content Production
Under the new agreement, Disney’s team will participate in projects from the earliest stages of development. This marks a pivotal shift in strategy: while Disney+ previously focused on acquiring existing licenses or one-off co-productions, it is now moving toward long-term, exclusive content creation powered by local expertise.
Market Dynamics and Competition
According to Media Partners Asia, the Japanese streaming market grew by 15% in 2025, reaching $7.2 billion in revenue. Currently, Disney+ holds only a 3% share of total viewing hours, trailing significantly behind industry leaders Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
The “Shogun” Effect and Global Appeal
Interest in Japanese narratives has reached an all-time high following the triumph of Shogun, which secured a record-breaking 18 Emmy Awards in 2024.
- Global Demand: Japanese content (including live-action) is now the second most popular non-English category worldwide, surpassed only by Korean dramas.
- The Vision: “We aim to turn Japanese stories into the ‘next big craze’ that the entire world will fall in love with,” stated Katsuaki Setoguchi, CEO of The Seven.
For Disney+, this move is a cornerstone of its effort to close the gap with competitors and solidify its standing across the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
