Amazon MGM Japan Doubles Original Content Investment; One Piece & Kingdom Producers Talk IP Strategy

Amazon MGM Studios Japan announced a bold move to double its spending on original Japanese film and series projects. The news came from Buddy Marini, the studio’s new head, during a TIFFCOM panel that also featured One Piece showrunner Steven Maeda and Kingdom producer Shinzo Matsuhashi. The announcement signals a shift from simply aggregating licensed titles on Prime Video to building home‑grown stories that can travel beyond Japan. For fans of live‑action adaptations and anime, the increased budget promises more ambitious productions, while industry observers see it as a test of how Japanese IP can be leveraged for global streaming audiences.

What happened

At the opening day of TIFFCOM, Buddy Marini explained that Amazon MGM Studios Japan will double its original‑content budget, adding new live‑action films, drama series, and anime that will debut on Prime Video. He highlighted collaborations with partners such as Studio Dragon, Credeus, Toho, TV Tokyo and Wowow, and previewed titles like a live‑action adaptation of the light‑novel series The Apothecary Diaries and the manga‑based series Chloe And Emma.

The panel also featured Steven Maeda, the showrunner behind the upcoming One Piece live‑action series, and Shinzo Matsuhashi, producer of the Kingdom adaptation. Both discussed how they are approaching beloved Japanese franchises: preserving core story elements for domestic fans while tailoring tone, pacing, and visual style for international viewers. They stressed the importance of co‑production with Japanese talent to maintain authenticity.

While the slate is primarily targeted at Japanese audiences, Marini said the intent is for the content to travel globally, leveraging Prime Video’s reach. Recent releases such as the crime drama Criminal (Hanzaisha) and the live‑action manga adaptation have already tested the model, with mixed reception that will inform the expanded rollout.

Why it matters

Doubling the budget marks Amazon’s most aggressive push into Japanese original content, positioning the streamer against rivals like Netflix and Disney+ that have long invested in the region. Successful adaptations could unlock a new revenue stream and strengthen Prime Video’s brand as a home for high‑quality Asian productions. Conversely, missteps could reinforce the perception that Japanese IP is difficult to translate for worldwide audiences, affecting subscriber growth in key markets.

How to think about it

Viewers should track which titles receive the biggest marketing push and note how they balance cultural specificity with universal themes. Creators can use the Amazon model as a framework: partner with established Japanese studios, retain local creative control, and plan staggered releases that first build domestic buzz before expanding globally. Investors and analysts should watch subscriber metrics and critical reception to gauge whether the doubled spend translates into sustainable audience growth.

FAQ