Studiocanal has boarded «kiDnap Game,» an 11-part survival thriller series created and directed by Japanese filmmaker Yusuke Kato, best known for «Last Friends.» The production, which unfolds across seven cities in Asia, stars Kentaro Sakaguchi and Lee Joon-gi and will be introduced to international buyers at Mipcom in Cannes this week.
The series is produced by Kato for Fuji Television, alongside Hong Kong's MakerVille and South Korea's Simstory. Canal+ has also come on board the project, according to the announcement, adding further weight to a production that already spans three major Asian media markets and a European pay-TV heavyweight.
«kiDnap Game» marks another step in the growing trend of pan-Asian co-productions designed for global audiences. By uniting Japanese, Hong Kong and South Korean partners, the series reflects an industry-wide push to pool resources, talent and distribution networks across borders at a time when streaming platforms are hungry for internationally appealing scripted content.
Yusuke Kato's involvement as both creator and director gives the project a distinctive auteur signature. His previous work on «Last Friends» earned him recognition for handling ensemble casts and emotionally charged storylines, and his move into a cross-border survival thriller suggests a deliberate expansion of his range.
The casting of Kentaro Sakaguchi and Lee Joon-gi places «kiDnap Game» at the intersection of two of Asia's most active entertainment industries. Sakaguchi is a leading figure in Japanese film and television, while Lee Joon-gi has built a substantial following across South Korea and beyond. Their pairing is likely to be a central selling point as Studiocanal and its partners shop the series to international broadcasters and streaming services.
The seven-city setting is another notable element. Rather than confining the story to a single metropolis, the production uses multiple Asian locations as part of its narrative architecture, a choice that could give the thriller a broader visual and cultural scope than typical single-market series.
Mipcom, the annual international content market in Cannes, is the traditional launching ground for projects seeking global distribution. Presenting «kiDnap Game» there signals that its backers are aiming beyond domestic audiences and positioning the show for buyers across Europe, the Americas and other regions.
Studiocanal's involvement brings a major European distribution and production force into an Asian-led project. The company has a long track record in international film and television, and its backing could help «kiDnap Game» secure placements with premium platforms outside Asia.
The addition of Canal+ further strengthens the project's European footprint. The French pay-TV group has increasingly invested in international scripted content, and its participation suggests confidence in the series' cross-market appeal.
For Fuji Television, MakerVille and Simstory, the partnership represents a shared bet on the value of cross-border storytelling. Each partner brings local expertise and market access, while Studiocanal and Canal+ provide international distribution muscle.
Details about the plot, release date and specific casting beyond the two leads have not been disclosed. What is clear is that «kiDnap Game» arrives at a moment when Asian genre series are attracting unprecedented global attention, and its backers are wasting no time in taking it to the international marketplace.