Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) has announced its acquisition of a $150 million stake in Legendary Entertainment, marking a significant strategic partnership aimed at adapting Japanese intellectual property (IP) for global audiences. This move aligns with TBS’s ambition to enhance its international presence while leveraging Legendary’s extensive experience in transforming popular IP into successful global franchises.
The partnership positions Legendary, known for its successful adaptations including the Dune franchise, the upcoming Minecraft movie, and iconic titles such as Street Fighter and Godzilla, as a key player in helping TBS’s content reach a wider audience. TBS, which operates various television networks and the studio THE SEVEN, is responsible for popular series like Alice in Borderland and Yu Yu Hakusho.
Josh Grode, CEO of Legendary Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, 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. Its position within the local market presents exciting opportunities for collaboration.” Grode emphasized the goal of expanding TBS’s IP globally while respecting and honoring the local creators involved.
In a similar vein, Yayoi Nakatani, board director and chief growth officer of TBS Holdings, Inc., highlighted the importance of this partnership. She stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Legendary, a world-class studio with a remarkable track record of history-making global hits. 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.”
TBS’s investment will provide it with a minority stake in Legendary, which remains equally controlled by management and Apollo Global Management. This collaboration is set against the backdrop of TBS’s ongoing efforts to enhance its global strategy studios, including THE SEVEN and THE SEVEN US, which recently received a capital injection of $180 million.
The alliance is expected to accelerate TBS’s content investment, enabling TBS Group’s creators to continue delivering high-quality content to audiences worldwide. The strategic partnership between TBS and Legendary Entertainment is likely to create a transformative impact on both companies as they work together to cultivate and expand Japanese IP on an international scale.
As the global entertainment landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this underscore the potential for cross-cultural collaborations that can resonate with diverse audiences.
