NEWS

THE SEVEN, a global strategy studio, under Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) Holdings, helmed by Chief Content Officer, Akira Morii (Tokyo, Japan) has entered into a film/series co-development agreement with Permut Presentations led by David Permut (Los Angeles, USA).

The two companies have begun development on a Hollywood film project slated for shooting in Japan, with full-scale development and pre-production work set to commence in the United States alongside a showrunner. Japanese producer Motoko Kimura, based in Los Angeles, joins this deal, aiming for a global expansion in a new form that transcends traditional U.S.-Japan frameworks.

Morii has an impressive portfolio that includes the International Emmy nominated series MOZU (TBS Television / WOWOW), and the global hit Netflix series ALICE IN BORDERLAND and YU YU HAKUSHO. He joined THE SEVEN in 2022.

Permut, at the helm of his own production company, Permut Presentations, has an extensive roster of credits as a producer and executive producer on a multitude of films and drama series. Among his many credits are blockbuster films such as John Woo’s FACE/OFF starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, and Mel Gibson’s global hit HACKSAW RIDGE starring Andrew Garfield. HACKSAW RIDGE which garnered two Academy Awards, including a Best Picture nomination and the long awaited sequel FACE/OFF 2 is in development at Paramount.

＜Akira Morii, Chief Content Officer, THE SEVEN＞　

With a solid background in the film industry, I am truly excited to collaborate with David Permut, who has been behind the production of films I have admired since my youth.

＜David Permut, Chief Executive Officer, Permut Presentations＞

It is a privilege and honor to be in business with Akira Morii and THE SEVEN on a project that has global appeal with such universal themes that relate to Asian culture.

THE SEVEN, Inc., which is a subsidiary production studio of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc., primarily collaborates with global streaming platforms to plan, develop, and produce high-end content for a worldwide audience. The company also engages in IP development and management, as well as business expansion into areas such as film, live entertainment, and licensing, with a focus on leveraging intellectual properties for global business development.

https://www.the7.co.jp/en/

One of Japan’s most acclaimed producers of live-action series and films. Starting with the film MABOROSI (1995), Morii has been involved in producing hit films including KIDS RETURN (1996) and BLOOD AND BONES (2004). He joined Robot Communications Inc. in 2009 and produced a number of well-received titles, including a TV series MOZU (2014) – which was nominated for Best Drama Series at the 43rd International Emmy Awards. He developed and produced the hit Netflix series ALICE IN BORDERLAND (2020). The show ranked among the Top-10 Most Viewed Series in multiple countries. After starting his own production company, Plus One Entertainment, Morii produced ALICE IN BORDERLAND Season 2 (2022), ZOM100: BUCKET LIST OF THE DEAD (2023), and YU YU HAKUSHO (2023) for Netflix. ALICE IN BORDERLAND Season 2 became the No.1 most viewed Netflix original series from Japan. YU YU HAKUSHO has become the biggest global hit ever for a series from Japan, captivating audiences worldwide in the first week since its global release. It debuted at No.1 in the Netflix Weekly Global Top 10 Non-English TV List, and secured the second spot across both English and non-English categories. In addition, the series also made the Top 10 in 92 countries and regions around the world. He joined THE SEVEN in August 2022.

David Permut is a multiple Academy Award, Emmy, and Grammy Award winning producer whose career spans over four decades. His company Permut Presentations is based in Los Angeles, California. Permut has produced over forty films, including global hit films such as John Woo’s blockbuster FACE/OFF, to Mel Gibson’s HACHSAW RIDGE, in addition to award winning television and landmark productions such as cable film PRAYERS FOR BOBBY starring Sigourney Weaver and documentary-series VISIBLE: OUT ON TELEVISION with Apple. His films have premiered at every major international film festival in the world, and has worked with every major studio in Hollywood.

Motoko Kimura is a TV, film, and theater creator/producer from Japan based in Los Angeles, California. Kimura has considerable experience working with all of the major Japanese TV networks and studios. Kimura became the CEO of Dream Plus Co. Ltd., where over the course of 15 years, she produced 13 mini-series, 2 special dramas, and 15 feature films including the hit South Korean film A MOMENT TO REMEMBER and LDK and USHIJIMA THE LOAN SHARK. Kimura moved to Los Angeles in 2021 and started several projects in Hollywood.