Netflix Inc. intends to produce more original Japanese television shows after the series it introduced earlier this month beat the company's expectations by drawing viewers from Brazil to Germany and the U.S.
The 10-episode "Hibana" production is showing that Japanese content can draw global audiences, Greg Peters, president of Netflix Japan, said in an interview on Friday. The drama is subtitled in 19 languages.
"Half of the viewing of this story is coming outside of Japan," Peters said. "Hibana" is a Japanese story, yet based on universal themes of friendship that are appreciated everywhere, he said.