Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) has entered into a strategic partnership with Legendary Entertainment, acquiring a stake valued at $150 million. This investment marks a significant step for both companies as they aim to adapt Japanese intellectual property (IP) for global audiences.
With this collaboration, Legendary seeks to utilize its extensive experience in IP adaptation, highlighted by successful projects such as the Dune franchise, the upcoming Minecraft movie, and popular titles like Street Fighter and Godzilla. TBS, a major player in Japanese media, operates various TV networks and the studio THE SEVEN, known for producing hit series like Alice in Borderland and Yu Yu Hakusho.
Strategic Goals and Opportunities
Josh Grode, CEO of Legendary Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “For decades, TBS has played a central role working with all members of the creative ecosystem in Japan, from multiple publishers to animators to writers and artists.” He emphasized the potential for collaboration, noting that TBS’s strong position in the local market presents exciting opportunities to expand the reach of its rich IP globally while respecting the talents of local creators.
TBS’s investment grants it a small minority stake in Legendary, which will continue to be equally managed by its leadership and Apollo Global Management. Yayoi Nakatani, board director and chief growth officer of TBS Holdings, Inc., shared her excitement about the collaboration, highlighting Legendary’s impressive track record in producing global hits.
Future Content Investments
Nakatani remarked, “Legendary’s exceptional creativity and their proven ability to build and expand IPs into worldwide franchises will be an indispensable driving force to our global strategy.” She pointed out that TBS is committed to accelerating content investment, particularly through its global strategy studios, THE SEVEN and THE SEVEN US, which recently received a capital increase of $180 million.
This partnership signifies a pivotal moment for both TBS and Legendary as they work towards expanding their influence and delivering world-class content to international audiences. Through this collaboration, they aim not only to enhance their respective portfolios but also to bridge cultural gaps, bringing unique Japanese narratives to a broader market.
