Netflix has unveiled particulars of its 2026 Japan slate, highlighting an expanded manufacturing footprint with Toho Studios and a strategic partnership with animation powerhouse MAPPA.
The streaming big is marking its tenth anniversary within the Asia Pacific area with its most strong Japan slate thus far, spanning live-action collection, anime productions and unscripted content material. The corporate may also livestream all 47 video games of the 2026 World Baseball Basic in Japan from March 5-18, marking its first worldwide stay sports activities broadcast available in the market.
“Over 10 years in Japan, our native workforce has taken on daring challenges, working carefully with creators to pursue tales that transcend creativeness,” mentioned Sakamoto Kaata, VP of content material for Japan. “On the coronary heart of this progress lies our easy, unwavering perception: inventive first.”
Japanese title viewing hours reached an all-time excessive within the second half of 2025, pushed by anime hits alongside fashionable live-action collection together with “Alice in Borderland” Season 3 and “Final Samurai Standing,” which has been confirmed for a second season.
Netflix’s partnership with MAPPA, the acclaimed studio behind “Chainsaw Man” and “Jujutsu Kaisen,” will see the businesses collaborate on new initiatives from the idea stage. A number of initiatives are already underway, spanning story improvement via merchandise. Sakamoto described it as evolving relationships with Japan’s main creators and studios “into deeper, extra collaborative inventive ventures.”
The expanded settlement with Toho Studios will double Netflix’s manufacturing footprint in Japan and introduce large-scale soundstages, permitting for extra formidable units and expanded manufacturing capabilities. The partnership’s first mission is “Human Vapor,” a reboot with a completely unique story that unites high creators from Japan and Korea.
“By reimagining Toho Studios’ iconic tokusatsu [Japanese practical special effects] legacy and uniting high creators from Japan and Korea alongside superior visible expertise, we’ll current a groundbreaking collection that opens a brand new chapter for Japanese sci-fi,” Sakamoto mentioned.
The live-action slate consists of “Quiztopia,” starring Yamada Takayuki from “The Bare Director” in an adaptation of a cult manga. The dystopian collection explores want, energy and crowd psychology via a government-sanctioned quiz present the place winners have any want granted however losers face extreme penalties. Primarily based on “Kokumin Quiz” by Sugimoto Reiichi and illustrated by Kato Shinkichi, the collection is directed by Yoshida Teruyuki.
“Straight to Hell,” launching April 27, stars Toda Erika as Hosoki Kazuko, Japan’s most well-known fortune-teller who swept the nation along with her Six-Star Divination follow. The collection spans 60 years and provides an unfiltered look into the struggles and wishes of this enigmatic lady. Ito Sairi performs Uozumi Minori, a author tasked with ghostwriting Hosoki’s autobiography. Directed by Takimoto Tomoyuki and Ohba Norichika, the collection is written by Monaka Manaka.
“Sins of Kujo,” launching April 2, is a live-action adaptation of Manabe Shohei’s manga about lawyer Kujo Taiza, who defends solely society’s worst: thugs, yakuza and ex-convicts. Yagira Yuya stars as Kujo, with Matsumura Hokuto as elite lawyer Karasuma Shinji. The collection is produced by TBS hit-maker Nasuda Atsushi, written by Nemoto Nonji and directed by Doi Nobuhiro, Yamamoto Takeyoshi and Adachi Hiroshi.
“Soul Mate,” debuting Could 14, is a young romance between two younger males unfolding over 10 years. After inadvertently destroying his finest pal’s life, Narutaki Ryu abandons every little thing and leaves Japan, the place he’s saved by Korean boxer Johan Hwang. Isomura Hayato performs Ryo, whereas Okay Taec-yeon of 2PM performs Johan. The collection is written and directed by Hashizume Shunki.
“Viral Hit,” launching Could 28, stars Suzuka Ouji as Shimura Kota, a bullied highschool scholar who discovers combating could be worthwhile when a struggle goes viral on-line. Primarily based on the South Korean webtoon by Taejun Park and Kim Junghyun, the collection marks the primary Netflix collaboration from director Takeuchi Hideki and author Tokunaga Yuichi. Mikami Ai performs Yashio Aki, whereas Sugou Araki seems as Kaneko Toru.
Different scripted collection embody “S&X,” starring Nakajima Kento as intercourse therapist Shimotori Ichito, primarily based on Tada Kisei’s manga; “Plastic Magnificence,” starring Matsuoka Mayu and Naka Riisa, analyzing Japan’s beauty surgical procedure business; and “Did Somebody Occur to Point out Me?,” starring Yakusho Koji as an actor all of the sudden forgotten by the complete world, written by Kudo Kankuro.
The anime slate options returning franchises together with “Hearth Power Season 3 Half II” (Jan. 10), “Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai” (Feb. 26), “Metal Ball Run JoJo’s Weird Journey” (March 19) and “Beastars Remaining Season Half 2” (March). “One Piece: Into the Grand Line” (“One Piece” Season 2) launches globally March 10, persevering with the stay motion adaptation of the beloved manga collection.
The slate additionally consists of “Love Via a Prism” (Jan. 15), created by “Boys Over Flowers” manga writer Kamio Yoko and directed by Nakazawa Kazuto, set at a London artwork academy within the early twentieth century. Tanezaki Atsumi voices Ichijoin Lili, with Uchiyama Koki as Package Church.
“Cosmic Princess Kaguya!” (Jan. 22) is the feature-length directorial debut from Yamashita Shingo, telling the story of two women who bond via track within the digital realm of Tsukuyomi. Natsuyoshi Yuko voices Kaguya, with Nagase Anna as Sakayori Iroha.
“The Ramparts of Ice” (April) is predicated on Agasawa Kocha’s manga a couple of socially withdrawn scholar drawn out of her shell by three different college students. Nagase Anna voices Hikawa Koyuki, with Izumi Fuka as Azumi Miki.
“Sparks of Tomorrow” (July), from Kyoto Animation, options impressionistic backgrounds bringing to life the goals of a younger boy and lady in an alternate early twentieth century the place technological progress advanced via steam energy. Uchida Yuma voices Sakamoto Kihachi, with Amamiya Sora as Momokawa Inako.
“Right this moment, one in each two Netflix members globally watches Japanese anime, and the full viewing hours have tripled up to now 5 years,” Sakamoto famous.
The unscripted slate options Season 2 of “The Boyfriend” (Jan. 13), the courting actuality collection that debuted in 2024 as Japan’s first romance actuality present that includes homosexual males. The brand new season strikes to snowy Hokkaido and welcomes 10 males with various backgrounds. Megumi, Horan Chiaki, Aoyama Thelma, Durian Lollobrigida and Tokui Yoshimi all return as in-studio hosts.
“Love Village” Season 3 shifts to a communal home on the foot of Mount Fuji, the place singles aged 35 to 60 seek for their “remaining love.” Tamura Atsushi and Becky return as in-studio hosts.
“Badly in Love” Season 2 returns to Okinawa with a brand new lineup of members gathered via auditions throughout Japan. The collection options contestants from unconventional backgrounds dwelling collectively in pursuit of affection. Megumi serves as creator/producer.
“Doorways Closed, Bids Open,” Netflix’s first collaboration with Matsuko Deluxe, presents a secret members-only veiled public sale present. Solely choose bidders are invited to this mysterious underground house.
“That is I” (Feb. 10) brings to life the true story of Haruna Ai and Dr. Wada Koji. Eighteen-year-old Mochizuki Haruki stars in his first main position as Onishi Kenji, who turns into Haruna Ai after gender-affirming surgical procedure. Saitoh Takumi performs Dr. Wada Koji. The movie is directed by Matsumoto Yusaku.
“My Loopy Feminist Girlfriend,” primarily based on Min Ji Hyoung’s Korean novel, stars Nagano Mei as a fiercely dedicated feminist ex-girlfriend who reunites along with her former boyfriend after seven years. The movie is written and directed by Kobayashi Keiichi.
“One 12 months to Dwell, Purchase a Man” stars Shibasaki Ko as Katakura Yui, a 40-year-old single lady identified with most cancers who “buys” pink-haired nightclub host Sena (Akaso Eiji) for JPY720,000. Directed by Kazama Hiroki and written by Okada Yoshikazu, the movie is predicated on Yoshikawa Toriko’s novel.
Kim Minyoung, VP of content material for APAC (ex-India), mentioned: “Our groups in APAC know what the native inventive group is able to, and they’re full of ardour to take native storytelling to the following degree. As every nation continues to increase their number of tales and take greater, bolder inventive dangers, APAC will proceed to develop its place on the worldwide leisure stage.“
