Going Big in Japan: French Hit «Bright Minds» Season 7 Heads to Tokyo (Exclusive)

The latest season of France's hit «Bright Minds» marks a major milestone for the light crime drama of French TV distribution, and part of its filming took place in Tokyo for the first time due to its enormous popularity in the country. An unprecedented co-production between JLA Productions and Japan's NHK Enterprises, thanks to […]

In an unprecedented collaboration, JLA Productions has joined forces with Japan's NHK Enterprises to co-produce part of the new season in Japan, given the show's immense popularity in the country.

The latest season of the French hit "Clear Minds" is a big milestone for the French TV distribution light crime series, with part of its filming taking place in Tokyo for the first time due to its huge popularity in the country.

The unprecedented co-production between JLA Productions and Japan's NHK Enterprises was made possible thanks to French TV Distribution, which played a key role as business facilitator and matchmaker in bringing the two companies together. RELATED STORIES Quentin Tarantino Attends AFI Screening and Conversation for 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' - Film News Taiwan Briefly Gets Special Focus on Lumiere-led Original-Language Remake of Osmantus Alley

According to the Paris-based global sales company, this collaboration opens up new perspectives for the collection and strengthens its international reach. Popular in Variety

Clear Minds (known as Astrid and Raphael in France), about a neurotic police filer with extraordinary memory and intelligence who helps a police detective solve complex crime problems, has established itself as the most watched series in France. In 2025, the show had 24 million video views, making it the most watched scripted series on the platform (excluding Daytime).

Season 7 promises to take Astrid (Sarah Mortensen) and Raphael (Lola Dwyer) on a series of personal adventures and challenges, from survival and ancient Egypt to Hindu societies, houseboat murders and investigations between Paris and Tokyo.

Astrid and Rafael have their work cut out for them as their daily lives are suddenly turned upside down: the police's case bureau is threatened with closure, suddenly stripping Astrid of her behavior as she faces the loss of her only refuge. Rafael, meanwhile, is recovering from a long rehab and must deal with his loss of mobility, which prevents him from conducting research with his former energy.

To face these new challenges, Astrid and Raphael are forced to completely rebuild their relationship, potentially threatening their precious friendship.

Astrid and Raphael are at the heart of the success of the series, which goes far beyond the borders of France: "Clear Mind" has been sold in more than 130 countries and its popularity continues to grow. The series also inspired a UK remake of Channel 4's Patience.

The original series' international profile has now been further boosted by filming in Japan, where the series has become such a huge hit that it was a natural step to set part of Season 7 in Tokyo.

"For several years we dreamed of shooting episodes of ``Clear Mind'' in Tokyo," said JLA Productions producer Jean-Sébastien Bouilloux. Thanks to France Télévisions, France TV Distribution and NHK Enterprises Inc., this dream became a reality for Season 7.

In 2025, France TV Distribution organized a major promotional tour in Tokyo for the team, including press conferences and fan meetings, demonstrating the exceptional enthusiasm that "Clear Minds" generates in Japan. Season 1 of the series premiered in Japan on the cable and satellite channel Mystery Channel (then AXN Mystery) in Japan in 2021, and subsequently aired on public broadcaster NHK from 2022. All six seasons have aired on both broadcasters to date, with streaming also drawing high viewership compared to other French TV shows.

With each new season, the series has expanded its audience base on both streaming and streaming platforms, and that popularity has translated into steady DVD sales as well. When the cast visited Japan in March 2025, Mystery Channel hosted a special event for 270 lucky fans who were selected from applicants across the country, giving them the opportunity to meet and interact with the cast.

The sixth season, which premiered on Mystery Channel in February 2026, achieved the highest ratings ever recorded for the series on J:COM, Japan's largest cable television operator.

The seventh season and two episodes filmed in Japan are a real turning point in the series' life, Bouilloux added, expressing confidence that they will "surprise and delight audiences in both countries."

Bouilloux noted: "This is the first time that 'Bright Minds' has gone abroad. It's also the first French repeat series to do so, and I'm very proud that it happened in Japan, a country that the series has had many connections with since its creation."

"Filming was a wonderful adventure, especially in the collaboration between the French and Japanese crews, and above all an incredible source of creativity and fruitful exchanges. The JLA and France TV Distribution teams worked hand in hand throughout the production process to bring this new season to life."

This co-production was also a positive experience for the producers at NHK.

Koji Sakabe of NHK Enterprises said, “From the very beginning, I was impressed by the team's sincere desire to embrace Japanese culture with authenticity and respect. This spirit made this collaboration truly meaningful."

"We are truly grateful to our partners at JLA and NHK Enterprises Inc.," added Julia Schulte, head of international sales at French TV Distribution. And thanks also to our colleagues at France Télévisions and all the incredible talent involved.

"Their open-mindedness, creativity and enthusiasm made this new Franco-Japanese adventure possible. "We are delighted to have launched the first co-production between our companies and we hope this will happen. It is the first of many more."

The Enlightened Mind, created by Alexandre de Seguin and Laurent Bertin, is directed by Jerome Almeras and Amandine Bonin. The series is produced by JLA Productions for France Télévisions.

In addition to Mortensen and Dwyer, Benoit Michel, Sofia Yamena, Jean-Louis Garçon, Husky Kihal, Jean-Beno Souillet, Congo Saito and Charlotte Gacchio are among its actors.