Singapore based content creators Empire of Arkadia (EOA) and Mocha Chai Laboratories (MCL) have joined forces with Japan’s public media organization NHK and production house TV Man Union (TVU) in creating Lost and Found, an adventure drama series inspired by real events, targeting Gen Z audiences around the world.
This collaboration is the first of its kind in the Asia scripted space, bringing together some of the best creative minds from Singapore, Japan, and internationally. Shot in both Japanese and English, on location in Tokyo and Singapore, this unique series blends both real and virtual world settings, creating a unique, authentic global universe for Gen Z viewers. Lost and Found is scheduled to air mid-March 2026 on NHK Japan and Mediacorp Singapore – as both countries will celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations – and will be distributed globally by Empire of Arkadia thereafter.
Supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore international co-production grant, Lost and Found is the brainchild of Singaporean Executive Producers, Michelle Chang (MCL) and Fotini Paraskakis (EOA), with a dream to create Asian inspired stories that travel. This four-way partnership is the first of its kind for broadcasting powerhouse NHK, as it rolls out an exciting new strategy in international scripted collaboration working with production houses, broadcasters, and platforms around the world.
Heavily influenced by the complex world young people face today, the story focuses on introverted Singaporean gamer, Richie Chiang, whose world is turned upside down when his caring online Japanese gamer girlfriend disappears without a trace. On a whim, Richie decides to head to Tokyo to search for her and enlists the support on arrival of his newfound gamer friend, Yuka. Despite their difference in backgrounds, they are thrown together in their shared mission – the search for Richie’s gamer girlfriend ‘Sakura” – only to become further embroiled in the city’s dark underworld, a world where many young people are now unwittingly trapped in a web of scams, trafficking, and illegal workers.
Headlining the series are rising stars Japan’s Anna Yamada (Golden Kamuy, Japan) as Yuka Uchida and Singapore’s Shawn Thia (TiTouDao, Singapore) as Richie Chiang.
Executive Producers Michelle Chang (MCL) and Fotini Paraskakis (EOA) says: “We are absolutely thrilled to see this idea finally come to life. Working together with NHK and TVU has been an incredible experience and has helped us take the story to another level, giving the series a fresh, yet real perspective on the complex world that we live in today, something that is relatable to all”
NHK’s Executive Producer, Rishi Endo, comments: “Thanks to today’s technological advances, language translation has become very efficient, yet the true challenge in bridging the gap between language, culture, and customs still remains. Yet it is precisely beyond these barriers that the most exhilarating stories are born. I am confident with this remarkable team we can deliver a drama that deeply resonates across borders. I sincerely hope audiences around the world will find joy and inspiration in what we’ve created.”
TVU Executive Producer Hiromitsu Sugita says, “The launch of this series is truly timely, as a notorious hub for scam frauds was shut down in Myanmar at the start of this project, with many of those arrested operating across Asia and within Japan itself. This incident gave a fresh, multifaceted and current perspective to our narrative, creating a uniquely compelling new viewer experience. We hope everyone will enjoy the final result!”
Anna Yamada comments, “I’m delighted to be able to appear in this co-production with Shawn Thia and the Singapore team, it’s unlike anything I’ve done before. The script is very unique and the prospect of being able to work with Shawn is really exciting! I believe this series truly reflects the lives of young people today, and I hope it’s a series that everyone will enjoy.”
Shawn Thia comments, “I have always believed in the power of stories to connect people across cultures and borders. Being part of an international project that embodies this idea is truly a special experience. Working alongside amazing actors such as Anna Yamada and passionate creators from both Singapore and Japan, feels like a dream come true.”
