Netflix has announced details of its 2026 Japan plans, highlighting the expansion of its production base with Toho Studios and a strategic partnership with animation giant MAPPA.
The streaming giant is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the Asia-Pacific region with its strongest Japanese offering to date, spanning live-action series, animated features and unscripted content. The company will also livestream all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which will be held in Japan from March 5th to 18th, making it the first live international sports broadcast on the market.
“For more than 10 years in Japan, our local team has taken on bold challenges, working closely with creators to pursue stories beyond imagination,” said Kaata Sakamoto, vice president of Japanese content. “At the heart of this growth is our simple, unwavering belief that creativity comes first.”
Driven by the success of anime along with popular live-action series such as Season 3 of Alice in Wonderland and The Last Samurai Standing, which is scheduled to be produced in Season 2, viewing time for Japanese titles hit a record high in the second half of 2025.
Netflix’s partnership with MAPPA, the acclaimed production company behind “Chainsaw Man” and “Jujutsu Kaisen,” will see the two companies collaborate on new projects from the concept stage. Multiple projects are already in the works, from storylines to merchandise. Sakamoto described this as evolving relationships with Japan’s leading creators and studios into “deeper, more collaborative creative ventures.”
The expanded agreement with Toho Studios will double Netflix’s production footprint in Japan, introducing a larger soundstage and allowing for more ambitious sets and expanded production capabilities. The first project of the partnership is Human Vapor, a reboot of a completely original story that brings together top Japanese and Korean creators.
“By rethinking Toho Studio’s iconic tokusatsu (Japanese practical special effects) legacy and fusing top Japanese and Korean creators with advanced video technology, we are delivering a groundbreaking series that opens a new chapter in Japanese science fiction,” Sakamoto said.
The live-action version also includes “Quiztopia,” a film adaptation of a cult manga starring Takayuki Yamada of “Naked Director.” This dystopian series explores desire, power, and crowd psychology through a government-sanctioned quiz show. The winner will have any wish granted, but the loser will face harsh retribution. Directed by Teruyuki Yoshida, based on the novel “National Quiz” written by Reichi Sugimoto and illustrated by Shinkichi Kato.
In “Straight to Hell,” which will be released on April 27th, Erika Toda plays Kazuko Hosoki, Japan’s most famous fortune teller who has taken the nation by storm with her six-star fortune telling. Spanning six decades, the series offers an unfiltered look at the struggles and desires of this mysterious woman. Sari Ito plays Nori Uozumi, a writer who serves as the ghostwriter for Hosoki’s autobiography. The director is Tomoyuki Takimoto and Norichika Oba, and the script is written by Monaka Manaka.
“Kujo no Sin”, which will be released on April 2nd, is a live-action adaptation of Shohei Manabe’s manga about Kujo Masato, a lawyer who defends only society’s worst criminals, such as violent criminals, yakuza, and ex-convicts. Yuya Yagira will play the role of Kujo, and Hokuto Matsumura will play the role of elite lawyer Shinji Karasuma. The series will be produced by TBS hitmaker Jun Nasuda, written by Nonji Nemoto, and directed by Nobuhiro Doi, Takeyoshi Yamamoto, and Hiroshi Adachi.
“Soulmate,” which will be released on May 14th, is a tender romance that unfolds over 10 years between two young people. After inadvertently ruining his best friend’s life, Ryu Narutaki abandons everything and leaves Japan, where he is rescued by Korean boxer Yohan Hwang. Hayato Isomura will play the role of Ryo, and Ok Taecyeon from 2PM will play the role of Yohan. The series will be written and directed by Toshiki Hashizume.
In “Viral Hit,” which will be released on May 28, Suzuka Koji stars as Kota Shimura, a bullied high school student who discovers that he can make money by spreading his fights online. The series, based on the Korean webtoon by Park Tae-joon and Kim Jong-hyun, marks the first Netflix collaboration between director Hideki Takeuchi and screenwriter Yuichi Tokunaga. Ai Mikami will play the role of Aki Yashio, and Sugo Shinki will play the role of Toru Kaneko.
Other series he has written include S&X, based on the manga by Norinari Tada, starring Kento Nakajima as sex therapist Kazuto Shimotori. “Plastic Beauty,” starring Mayu Matsuoka and Riisa Naka, examines the Japanese cosmetic surgery industry. and “Did Someone Mention Me?,” starring Koji Yakusho as an actor suddenly forgotten by the world, and written by Kankuro Kudo.
The anime slate includes returning series such as “Fire Force Season 3 Part II” (January 10), “Bakido: The Invincible Samurai” (February 26), “Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (March 19), and “Beastars Final Season Part 2” (March). “One Piece: To the Great Passage” (“One Piece” Season 2) will be released worldwide on March 10th as a sequel to the live-action adaptation of the popular manga series.
The slate includes “Love Through a Prism” (January 15), created by “Boys Over Flowers” manga artist Yoko Kamio and directed by Kazuto Nakazawa, set at London’s Academy of Arts in the early 20th century. Atsumi Tanezaki will play the role of Lili Ichijoin, and Koki Uchiyama will play the role of Kit Church.
“Cosmic Princess Kaguya!” (released on January 22nd) is Shingo Yamashita’s feature directorial debut, and depicts the story of two girls who bond through song in the virtual world of Tsukuyomi. Yuko Natsuyoshi will play the role of Kaguya, and Anna Nagase will play the role of Iroha Sakayori.
“Ice Wall” (April) is based on a manga by Tea Agazawa about a socially withdrawn student who is brought out of his shell by three other students. Anna Nagase will play the role of Koyuki Hikawa, and Fuka Izumi will play the role of Miki Azumi.
Kyoto Animation’s “Spark of Tomorrow” (July) features an Impressionist backdrop that brings to life the dreams of a boy and a girl in an otherworldly early 20th century era of steam-powered technological advancement. Yuma Uchida will play the role of Kihachi Sakamoto, and Sora Amemiya will play the role of Ineko Momokawa.
“One in two Netflix members worldwide now watches Japanese anime, and total viewing time has tripled over the past five years,” Sakamoto said.
The unscripted program features Season 2 (January 13) of the romance reality series “The Boyfriend,” which debuted in 2024 as Japan’s first romance reality show featuring gay men. The new season moves to snowy Hokkaido and welcomes 10 men from various backgrounds. Megumi, Chiaki Horan, Thelma Aoyama, Dorian Lollobrigida, and Yoshimi Tokui will once again appear as studio hosts.
“Love Village” Season 3 is set in an apartment complex at the foot of Mt. Fuji, where singles ranging in age from 35 to 60 search for their “last love.” Atsushi Tamura and Becky return as studio hosts.
Season 2 of Badly in Love returns to Okinawa with a new lineup drawn from auditions across the country. The series features contestants from unconventional backgrounds living together in pursuit of love. Megumi serves as creator/producer.
“Door Closed, Bid Open” is the first collaboration between Matsuko Deluxe and Netflix, and is an auction show shrouded in secrecy for members only. Only selected bidders will be invited to this mysterious underground space.
“This is I” (February 10th) depicts the true story of Ai Haruna and Koji Wada Sensei. 18-year-old Haruki Mochizuki makes his first lead role as Kenji Onishi, who undergoes gender reassignment surgery and becomes Haruna Ai. Takumi Saito plays Dr. Koji Wada. The director of this movie is Yusaku Matsumoto.
“My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend,” based on a Korean novel by Min Ji-hyun, stars Mei Nagano as an ardent feminist ex-girlfriend who reunites with her ex-boyfriend after seven years. This movie is written and directed by Keiichi Kobayashi.
In “One Year to Live, Buying a Man”, Kou Shibasaki plays Yui Katakura, a 40-year-old single woman diagnosed with cancer who “buys” pink-haired nightclub host Sena (Eiji Akaso) for 720,000 yen. A film adaptation of Toriko Yoshikawa’s novel directed by Hiroki Kazama and written by Keikazu Okada.
“Our team in APAC knows what local creative communities are capable of and is passionate about taking local storytelling to the next level,” said Kim Min-young, vice president of APAC content (formerly India). “As countries continue to expand the diversity of their stories and take bigger and bolder creative risks, APAC will continue to expand its place on the global entertainment stage.”
