Warner Bros. Discovery, U-Next Strike Global Distribution Deal for Japanese Dramas (EXCLUSIVE)

Warner Bros. Discovery and Japanese streaming giant U-Next are taking their partnership global, unveiling plans to distribute a curated slate of premium Japanese drama series on Max across international markets including the U.S., Brazil and Southeast Asia.

The move marks a significant expansion of the companies’ exclusive partnership, which launched Max within the U-Next platform in Japan last year. Now, the duo is flipping the script to showcase Japanese content to worldwide audiences on WBD’s flagship streaming service.

Leading the international rollout is TBS’ anticipated “Love is for the Dogs,” described as an “East meets East story” based on the popular webtoon “Dog-Like Romance.” The collection also includes TV Tokyo’s dark comedy “Please Die My Beloved” and TBS’s legal drama “Ignite,” among others.

The full slate comprises 10 titles spanning multiple genres, with offerings from both TBS and TV Tokyo. Additional series include “Mr. Mikami’s Classroom,” “Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle?,” “La Grande Maison Tokyo” and its special edition, “Light of My Lion,” “Until I Destroyed My Husband’s Other Family,” and “Baby Assassins.”

“Max on U-Next has seen strong engagement from Japanese audiences, with our premium U.S. content such as ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘And Just Like That…’ performing incredibly well on the platform since launch,” said Magdalene Ew, head of content, streaming, APAC at Warner Bros. Discovery. “With interest in Japanese content growing globally, our partnership with U-Next gives us the opportunity to spotlight homegrown stories and talent with international audiences.”

The international launch is slated for later this year, with specific market dates to be announced in the coming months. The strategy reflects both companies’ commitment to cross-cultural content exchange, building on the success of their initial collaboration.

“Since announcing the exclusive partnership with WBD last year, one of our focus areas has been the global distribution of Japanese IP,” said Tenshin Tsutsumi, U-Next Inc. president and CEO. “We’re strategically starting with a curated collection of dramas – selected not only for their domestic popularity but also for their potential to resonate cross-culturally in tone, theme and character – helping to drive awareness with new fans.”

The partnership, announced in September 2024, established Max as the exclusive home of HBO Originals in Japan through the U-Next platform. Japanese subscribers gained simultaneous access to global hits like “The Last of Us” season two and “The White Lotus” season three alongside their U.S. releases.

U-Next currently offers the largest volume of SVOD content in the country, according to GEM Partners data. The platform has expanded beyond traditional streaming to include live sports through an exclusive seven-year Premier League partnership, plus e-manga, e-books and e-magazines.

The company strengthened its local content pipeline following the integration of Paravi in July 2023, establishing direct access to variety and scripted dramas from major Japanese terrestrial channels TBS and TV Tokyo.