Song of the Samurai, a live-action manga adaptation for TBS Television and U-NEXT from The Seven, will stream on HBO Max in 100-plus markets.
Formerly titled Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem, the adaptation of the manga series is set in Kyoto at the end of the Edo period, chronicling the Shinsengumi, with a cast that includes Yuki Yamada, Kento Nakajima, Jun Matsumoto, and Go Ayano.
Through the partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and U-NEXT, the Japanese sword-action series heads to HBO Max in 100-plus markets across North America, Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
James Gibbons, president for the Asia Pacific at WBD, noted, “Song of the Samurai is the next series to launch on HBO Max through our partnership with U-NEXT, focused on spotlighting Japanese series and the creators behind them. With a growing appetite for this genre, we hope fans enjoy this captivating new samurai story—rooted deep in Japanese culture, with passionate action and a charismatic ensemble cast.”
Tenshin Tsutsumi, president and representative director of U-NEXT, added, “This project was developed with global distribution and broadcast integration in mind, aiming to expand the reach of Japanese content. With The Seven’s production quality, TBS’s creative strength, and a world-renowned manga at its core, we are confident the series will captivate international viewers.”
Masamine Ryuho, president of Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, commented, “As the TBS Group, we remain committed to delivering world-class stories from Japan to audiences everywhere. Our commitment to content creation, The Seven’s globally driven vision, and the powerful platforms of U-NEXT and HBO Max help us to achieve this. Set against the upheaval of the Bakumatsu era, this large-scale drama captures the spirit of young men living through one of Japan’s most transformative periods.
Katsuaki Setoguchi, president and CEO at The Seven, added, “Since our founding, The Seven has pursued a clear mission: to bring stories from Japan to the global market at a world-class level. This production embodies that strategy and stands as a work that truly tests our capabilities. Our collaboration with U-NEXT and HBO Max has strengthened our conviction that our creative and VFX capabilities merit global recognition. From the outset, this project was designed not as an export, but as a global production built to compete at the highest level. We strongly believe this model will help define a new path of success for Japan’s creative industry.”
Akira Morii, chief producer and CCO at The Seven, noted, “From the very beginning of this project, our goal has been to transform Japanese period drama (Jidaigeki) into an entertainment experience that captivates young audiences worldwide. With an incredible original manga from Japan, soul-stirring performances and action led by Yuki Yamada and our talented cast, and a modern visual portrayal of the Samurai spirit, I am immensely proud to present Chiruran to the world. As a creator, I feel a profound joy in knowing that on the magnificent stage of HBO Max, global audiences will witness the lives of these young men—those who struggled desperately and burned out brilliantly during the transformative Bakumatsu era.”
The series launches on TBS and U-NEXT next month, arriving on HBO Max in May.
