Pan-Asian survival thriller premieres across 28 territories, with Studiocanal and Canal+ securing international rights.
The Game Begins
A wave of simultaneous abductions hits seven Asian cities — Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Naha, and Manila. That’s the premise of ‘kiDnap Game’, a new survival thriller series that premiered on Fuji TV in Japan on October 6. It launched simultaneously across 28 Asian territories, including South Korea (Channel A), Taiwan (Hami Video), and Southeast Asia via Viu.
International Reach
Studiocanal has boarded the series for international distribution, including North America. Canal+ has acquired it for Europe, French-speaking Africa, and Asia. The move points to a growing appetite for pan-regional content with global appeal.
Creative Vision
Created and directed by Japan’s Yusuke Kato, known for ‘Last Friends’, the series brings together an ensemble cast led by Kentaro Sakaguchi and Lee Joon-gi. Each episode follows one of seven strangers from different nations, forced to compete in deadly missions to save a loved one. Only one can survive.
Kato said his goal was to craft a drama that could travel the world. "I believe this is a feeling that resonates with people no matter where they are in the world," he said, referring to the universal desire to save a loved one.
Production & Partnerships
Produced by Kato’s team at Fuji Television, Hong Kong’s MakerVille, and South Korea’s Simstory, the 11-part series was presented to buyers at Mipcom in Cannes. Executive producers include Kentaro Shibuya, Janice Lee, Song Seon Eui, and Kenichiro Hobara. Shogo Miyaki and Hajime Hatakeyama direct episodes, with scripts by Ken Tate and Kaoru Yoshikawa.
M-K Kennedy, managing director of Studiocanal Worldwide Television, called it "an exciting example of how creative ambition and international collaboration are shaping the future of premium television." She joined Studiocanal in 2024 from Netflix and previously oversaw ‘Paris Has Fallen’ and ‘Apollo has Fallen’.
Jean-Marc Juramie, deputy CEO of Canal+ France, said the acquisition fits the company’s strategy to bring premium content to audiences across multiple territories.
What’s Next
The series is now set for wider global rollout. With Studiocanal handling North American distribution and Canal+ covering key European and African regions, ‘kiDnap Game’ is positioned as a major international launch. Its success will be watched closely as studios bet on cross-border storytelling in a crowded streaming landscape.
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