Disney+ strikes co-development deal with Japan’s The Seven

Disney+ Signs Multi-Year Content Deal With Japan’s The Seven

Disney+ has entered a multi-year co-development agreement with Japanese production company The Seven, Inc. to create Japanese-language live-action series exclusively for the streaming platform, marking a new chapter in the company’s push into international originals.

The deal, reported by Variety on Monday, will see Disney involved from the earliest stages of development rather than acquiring finished projects — a first for the company in Japan. The Seven will produce the series for global distribution on Disney+, with the partnership designed to bring high-end Japanese storytelling to audiences worldwide.x

A Strategic Bet on Japanese Content

The agreement comes as Disney deepens its commitment to Japan and South Korea as core content markets for its streaming business. Luke Kang, president of The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, said last year that the company sees potential for large-scale productions from both countries to compete globally. “We believe we can create products that can compete on a global scale in these markets,” he said at the 2025 Disney+ APAC Showcase in Hong Kong.variety

Eric Schrier, head of Disney TV Studios, and Carol Choi, who leads APAC original content, have described Japanese live-action as a particular area of focus, alongside unscripted programming and cross-medium adaptations. Disney+ has launched more than 150 original productions in the Asia-Pacific region since 2021.deadline

The Seven’s Rising Profile

The Seven, a subsidiary of Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), has quickly established itself as one of Japan’s most ambitious production outfits. The company operates a 1,000-square-meter production studio in Yokohama, along with integrated VFX and post-production facilities, and boasts an initial production budget of 30 billion yen. Its credits include Netflix’s “Alice in Borderland” and the award-winning film “BAKA’s Identity,” which won the Soleil d’Or Award at France’s KINOTAYO Film Festival.the7

The Seven has also been active with other global platforms. Its adaptation of the manga “Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem,” produced with TBS and U-NEXT, is set for release in 2026, while HBO Max recently acquired its period action drama “Song of the Samurai” for streaming in more than 100 countries.senalnews

A Crowded Market for Japanese IP

The deal places Disney in direct competition with rivals also investing heavily in Japanese content. Netflix earlier this year unveiled its most comprehensive slate for Japan, including a strategic alliance with animation studio MAPPA and expanded production capacity through a partnership with Toho Studios. Japan’s premium video-on-demand market hit $7.2 billion in revenue in 2025, a 15% year-over-year increase, with local productions accounting for 80% of all streaming hours, according to a report by Media Partners Asia.variety

Katsuaki Setoguchi, president and CEO of The Seven, emphasized at industry events that Japan’s creative talent is well-positioned for global content production. Disney’s willingness to embed itself at the development stage — rather than simply licensing completed series — suggests the company views Japanese live-action as a long-term growth engine for its streaming ambitions.avia