TBS, CJ ENM, Legendary $150M Deal

TBS's $150 million stake in Legendary, announced Jan 2026, is a bold move to globalize Japanese IP. The non-exclusive deal lets Legendary source and develop titles like Godzilla, Street Fighter, Gundam and Drops of God Season 2. Meanwhile, TBS and Korea's CJ ENM launched Studio Monowa with UNEXT, aiming to match K-drama's global reach. Nippon TV and CJ ENM co-produced the ten-part series "Merry Berry Love," which debuted on Disney+ Oct 7, 2026. Disney+ reports that within two weeks the show was the top-viewed Japanese live-action premiere worldwide and in APAC. Cannes Marché and TIFFCOM will co-organise a second Japan IP Market on May 14-15, 2027, after a successful 2026 launch. The 2026 market brought Kadokawa, Shochiku and Toei to pitch, and the 2027 edition will deepen those ties. TBS employees have already opened desks in Legendary's Los Angeles office to keep the collaboration close. These moves signal a concerted effort to elevate Japanese drama to the same global profile as Korean hits.