Warner Bros. Discovery and Japanese streaming giant U-Next are adopting its partnership’s global plan, announcing plans to distribute curated high-level Japanese drama series in international markets including the United States, Brazil and Southeast Asia.

The move marks a significant expansion of the company's exclusive partnership, which launched MAX in Japan's U-Next platform last year. Now the duo are flipping scripts to present Japanese content to audiences around the world with WBD’s flagship streaming service.

Leading international promotion is TBS's expected "Love is love for dogs", known as the "East Story" based on the popular Webtoon's "dog-like romance." The series also includes Tokyo TV’s dark comedy “Die My Belaved” and TBS’s legal drama “Ignite”.

Complete Slate includes 10 titles spanning multiple genres and offers products from TBS and TV Tokyo. Other series include "Mr. Mikami's Classroom", "Who saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle?", "La Grande Maison Tokyo" and its special edition "My Lion Light", "Until I destroyed my husband's other family" and "Baby Assassin".

“Max On U-Next has seen strong engagement among Japanese audiences, with our premium content (such as ‘Last U’ and ‘ and of the Inther…have been outstanding on the platform since its launch.” “Our partnership with U-Next has given us the opportunity to focus on local stories and talents with international audiences.”

The international launch will be held later this year, with specific market dates to be announced in the coming months. The strategy reflects the two companies’ commitment to intercultural content exchange, based on the success of their initial collaboration.

"One of our focus areas since the exclusive partnership with WBD last year has been the global distribution of Japanese IP," said Tenshin Tsutsumi, president and CEO of U-Next Inc. "We started strategically with a well-planned drama, not only for their domestic popularity, but also because of their potential to resonate across cultures in tone, theme and roles - helping to drive awareness with new fans."

The partnership announced in September 2024 that it has established an exclusive residence for Max's original HBO work in Japan through the U-Next platform. Japanese subscribers have received global hits, such as "Our Last Season" and "White Lotus" Season 3 as well as their US releases.

According to GEM Partners, U-Next currently offers the most SVOD content in the country. The platform has expanded the expansion of traditional streams, including through an exclusive seven-year Premier League partnership, as well as e-Manga, e-books and e-magazines.

After Paravi's integration in July 2023, the company strengthened its local content pipeline, allowing direct access to variety shows and scripted dramas from Japan's major ground channels TBS and TV Tokyo.

For Warner Bros. Discovery, the deal represents another step in its global content strategy, leveraging local partnerships to distribute both its advanced content internationally and regional stories for global audiences. The media giant operates in more than 220 countries and territories through its brand portfolio in more than 220 countries and territories including Discovery Channel, Max, CNN, HBO, and more.