Netflix commits to diversifying content with slate of new Asian originals

Discussing the announcement, Sarandos said the company was committed to telling Asian stories and distributing them across Netflix’s global audiences, “Asia is home to the world's great creative centres producing some of the most compelling films and series of today.”

“The beauty of Netflix is that we can take never-seen-before stories from South Korea, Thailand, Japan, India, Taiwan or elsewhere, and easily connect them to people all over Asia and the world. More than half of Asian content hours viewed on Netflix this year are viewed outside the region, so we have confidence that our upcoming slate of Asian productions will find fans in their home countries and abroad,” he said.

Five Anime productions will debut, including Pacific Rim, Altered Carbon, Cagaster of an Insect Cage, Yasuke and Trese. Two Thai language originals will also launch, titled The Stranded เควง้ and Shimmers. In the Chinese language, Taiwanese show Triad Princess 極道千金 will also debut. The Indian titles will be announced at a later launch today.

The show also teased globally anticipated launches and follow-ups including Netflix favourite Narcos, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle and Kingdom.

Netflix’s investment into original content is deemed as it’s biggest draw in securing audiences globally, however, it’s also where the company has seen criticism coming around how it will monetise this investment as it’s had to seek investment and increase prices.