Money Tigers was the Japanese programme that inspired the British television series Dragon's Den.
The format was created in Japan, where entrepreneurs pitched business ideas to wealthy investors. The British adaptation retained the central dramatic structure: a founder presents a proposal, investors question the figures, and any offer depends on valuation, equity and negotiation.
The title Dragon's Den is not a literal translation of the Japanese name. Instead, it gives the British version its own identity while preserving the idea of entering a room filled with intimidating, powerful investors.
The format subsequently travelled widely. Different countries changed the name, presenter and investor branding, but the pitch-and-investment framework remained recognisable. The United States version, for example, became Shark Tank rather than using the Dragon's Den title.