Amazon MGM Studios Hires Warner Bros. Discovery Veteran Buddy Marini to Lead Japan
Marini's background founding a manga platform and running Hulu Japan gives Amazon MGM Studios an executive with direct experience in both anime production and Japanese streaming, at a time when Prime Video has publicly stated it wants to become the top global platform for anime.
Reporting from 2 sources: Deadline Anime, Variety Japan.
Amazon MGM Studios has appointed Buddy Marini as head of its Japan operations, effective March 6. Based in Tokyo, Marini will oversee the development and production of local originals across film, television series, and anime, and work with Amazon's global teams to distribute Japanese content on Prime Video. He reports to Nicole Clemens, who joined Amazon in June 2025 to lead international operations. Marini was most recently managing director of Warner Bros. Discovery Japan, where he led a team of 300 people across streaming, original production, pay-TV networks, and licensing. Earlier in his career, he founded the manga platform Mangamo, served as CEO of Hulu Japan, and managed Avex Asia in Hong Kong. Prime Video's current anime slate includes "Fist of the North Star: Hokuto No Ken," "The Ghost in the Shell," and "From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman." Amazon's APAC chief Gaurav Gandhi said last month the company aims to be "the preferred destination for anime content globally."
Buddy Marini takes the role after more than two decades in Japanese entertainment, including a stint as managing director of Warner Bros. Discovery Japan where he oversaw 300 employees. His resume also includes founding the manga platform Mangamo and serving as CEO of Hulu Japan, giving him experience across the digital distribution of both manga and anime. At Amazon MGM Studios, he will build out the local originals pipeline across scripted and unscripted formats, and work with Amazon's global teams to bring Japanese stories to Prime Video subscribers outside Japan. Nicole Clemens, who joined Amazon in June 2025 from Paramount TV Studios, is his direct supervisor. Prime Video's existing anime lineup includes three titles named in the announcement: "Fist of the North Star: Hokuto No Ken," "The Ghost in the Shell," and "From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman." The hire follows a statement last month from Amazon's APAC chief Gaurav Gandhi that the company wants Prime Video to be "the preferred destination for anime content globally."
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.