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 frequent partner of Netflix. This deal marks a shift for Disney+, which has traditionally acquired or co-produced titles on a project-by-project basis. The collaboration is seen as a natural evolution, given the growing importance of general entertainment and local originals in Disney+'s content offering, especially in Japan. The deal positions The Seven as a 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, with the premium streaming sector growing by 15% in 2025 to reach $7.2 billion in revenues. Japan is estimated to be the world's third-biggest premium streaming market by revenue, behind the U.S. and China. The global appetite for Japanese-themed content has also surged, with anime and live-action Japanese storytelling breaking through in a major way. Disney's own 'Shōgun' 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 deal with The Seven is expected to unleash the refined creativity of the company through Disney's extensive network and expertise, potentially evolving Japanese stories into the 'next craze' that people truly fall in love with. Gaku Narita, Disney's executive director of content production in Japan, emphasized 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 telling.
