Disney is betting on Korean and Japanese originals to grow in Asia
Walt Disney Co. is investing in Japanese anime exclusives and expanding a Korean superhero franchise as part of its push for a bigger share of the Asian streaming market.
Disney+, the growing Netflix rival, has renewed superhero drama Moving for a second season, the Burbank, California-based company said Thursday at the APAC content showcase in Singapore. The series, created by South Korean webtoon artist Kangfull, became a global hit and earned more than 10 industry awards, Disney said. The company is also deepening its partnership with Kangfull with the upcoming horror mystery series Light Shop.
In addition to loading more Korean content, Disney+ is turning its mobile game Twisted Wonderland, developed in-house with manga artist Yana Toboso, into an animated series next year. The franchise has already expanded into novels and manga, and its addition to Disney’s streaming platform is the next step in its expansion into new formats and media.
Disney+ will also have exclusive rights to distribute some anime titles from Kodansha, one of Japan’s largest publishers, including the second season of Go! To go! Loser Ranger!
Anime continues to be a big draw for audiences, with top-performing titles including Sand Land: The Series from Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, Disney said in a statement. The company’s investment in Korean and Japanese titles comes as it adjusts its strategy to boost profitability.
Disney is focusing on select Asian markets to help scale its local subscriber base and attract international viewers, while scaling back content investments in Southeast Asia. The Indian operations merged with Reliance Industries’ media operations to form a joint venture called JioStar.
“Stories produced in Asia Pacific have become a staple of mainstream entertainment consumption – they are world-class productions, with growing global resonance and deeply passionate fandoms worldwide,” said Carol Choi, executive vice president of original content. “Our content strategy remains focused on curating premium, talent-driven originals from the region.”
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