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Disney Strikes Major Pact for Japanese Originals
21 Apr
Summary
- Disney and The Seven inked a multi-year development deal.
- The Seven will create Japanese-language series exclusively for Disney+.
- This deepens Disney's content investment in Japan.
- This partnership is a significant step for Disney in Japan.
- The Seven is a prolific producer for global streamers.
- Japanese content demand is growing globally.
- Disney+ aims to compete better in the Japanese market.
Disney has entered into a significant multi-year content development collaboration with The Seven, a Tokyo-based production company. This partnership is designed to accelerate Disney's investment in Japanese-language originals for its streaming service, Disney+.
The deal signifies a strategic evolution for Disney in Japan, moving from a project-by-project acquisition model to a deeper, ongoing development relationship. The Seven, a subsidiary of TBS Holdings established in late 2021, has become a major producer of live-action content for global streamers.
Under this agreement, Disney's content team will collaborate with The Seven from the earliest stages of project development. This positions The Seven as one of the few Japanese production houses with active partnerships with two major global streamers, highlighting the demand for experienced producers in Japan's dynamic production landscape.
This move comes as competition for Japanese content intensifies and global appetite for Japanese stories, both anime and live-action, surges. The Japanese premium streaming market saw a 15 percent growth in 2025, reaching $7.2 billion. Disney+ currently holds a smaller share of this market but aims to enhance its offering through this strategic alliance.
