CANNES: Japan’s Nippon TV is rolling the dice on two female-fronted scripted formats as it muscles into the lucrative international content market ahead of Mipcom 2025.
The broadcaster unveiled Murderous Encounter, a dark romantic thriller about journalists investigating serial killings, and The Reluctant Preacher, a sharp comedy following an unmotivated teacher’s transformation. Both feature strong female protagonists battling personal demons whilst tackling crime and injustice.
“We are confident that these stories can be successfully localised, captivating audiences in any market,” said Nippon TV head of international sales, content business and distribution Sayako Aoki.
The Japanese giant is riding high on format success. Its drama Mother holds the record for most adaptations of an Asian series globally, with local versions spanning 11 countries from Turkey to Saudi Arabia. Nearly 90 per cent of Nippon TV’s content intellectual property is owned in-house, giving it hefty margins on international sales.
Murderous Encounter follows two journalists whose professional rivalry turns romantic whilst investigating the Horus Eye Murders. As their relationship deepens, suspicion mounts that one might be the serial killer they’re hunting. The producers behind hits My Lover’s Secret and Your Turn to Kill are banking on their signature twist-heavy storytelling to hook global audiences.
The Reluctant Preacher centres on a demotivated teacher assigned to a problem class who unexpectedly becomes a passionate educator delivering bold sermons. The comedy-drama ranked number one in its Japanese time slot among children and second among teenagers. Netflix has already snapped up global streaming rights.
Both series have clocked over 2 million views on advertising-supported video platforms, signalling strong domestic appetite. The move underscores Japanese broadcasters’ growing confidence in exporting homegrown content as global streaming wars intensify demand for fresh formats.
Nippon TV’s aggressive international push includes launching Gyokuro Studio for unscripted formats and establishing a Los Angeles business office targeting US and Latin American markets. The company owns streaming giant Hulu in Japan, giving it additional leverage in content distribution deals.
