

HBO Max has set the premiere for Song of the Samurai, a new live-action series produced in collaboration with Japanese studio Seven, according to an official Warner Bros. Discovery press release. The series will debut on the streaming platform as part of HBO Max’s continued investment in international co-productions and genre storytelling.


The upcoming project marks a cross-cultural partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery and Studio Seven, a Japanese production company known for developing stylized action narratives. The collaboration reflects the platform’s broader strategy to expand its global content pipeline by pairing international production houses with worldwide distribution through HBO Max.
According to the press release, Song of the Samurai centers on a story that blends music and combat, following characters whose personal conflicts and identities are expressed through performance and swordsmanship. The concept merges action drama with music-driven storytelling, positioning the series within a hybrid genre space influenced by anime aesthetics and Japanese pop culture traditions, while maintaining a live-action format.
Warner Bros. Discovery describes the series as part of HBO Max’s wider push to diversify its scripted slate through international partnerships. By working directly with a Japanese studio, the platform aims to deliver culturally specific storytelling to a global audience while preserving cinematic scale and production value.
The press release also confirms the series will feature a cast drawn from both Japanese and international talent pools, reinforcing its global framing. However, individual casting announcements and character details remain undisclosed at this stage of production.
Production on Song of the Samurai underscores HBO Max’s growing focus on genre programming that bridges action, drama, and musical expression. The stylized premise aligns with the platform’s efforts to broaden its catalog through stories shaped by international creative influences.
Additional details, including episode count and expanded plot specifics, were not revealed in the announcement. Still, the confirmed premiere positions Song of the Samurai as a notable addition to HBO Max’s upcoming lineup, as the service continues to strengthen its international production presence.
With its fusion of performance, combat, and cross-cultural collaboration, Song of the Samurai represents HBO Max’s latest step toward expanding its global scripted portfolio through high-concept co-productions.
