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What's Next on Netflix from Japan: Expanding the Possibilities of Storytelling in 2026
Kaata Sakamoto
Vice President, Content - Japan
Over ten years in Japan, our local team has taken on bold challenges, working closely with creators to pursue stories that go beyond imagination. And in just the past year, across live-action, anime, and unscripted formats, we've expanded the scale of our storytelling, pushed genre boundaries, and deepened our efforts to connect global fandoms with stories born in Japan. As a result, the ambition and reach of our work have grown significantly.
Viewing hours for Japanese titles reached an all-time high in the second half of 2025. This growth was driven largely by anime, a genre Japan is globally renowned for, alongside popular live-action series such as Alice in Borderland Season 3 and Last Samurai Standing.
At the heart of this growth lies our simple, unwavering belief: Creative First. We stand alongside creators, supporting their passion by providing a safe and secure production environment that enables bold risk-taking. We work closely together to bring out the full potential of each story, running side by side until the moment it reaches audiences. Without this mindset, stories that truly go beyond imagination cannot be realized.
With this foundation, 2026 will place even greater emphasis on our Creative First approach. By exploring bold themes and embracing creative expression, we aim to create works that deeply resonate with audiences worldwide. At the same time, we will continue to strengthen our commitment to developing new entertainment from Japan.
A Turning Point for Live-Action Series and Films: Evolving in Scale and Depth
This year, we will grow our live-action slate and ambition, from desire and romance to alternate worlds and human drama. A standout title is Human Vapor, a reboot with an entirely original story that marks Netflix's first-ever collaboration with Toho Studios. By reimagining Toho Studios' iconic tokusatsu legacy and uniting top creators from Japan and Korea alongside advanced visual technology, we will present a groundbreaking series that opens a new chapter for Japanese sci-fi.
Today, we also announced a new agreement with Toho Studios that will double our production footprint and introduce large-scale soundstages. This enhanced infrastructure will allow for more ambitious sets and expanded production capabilities, giving creators greater freedom to take on new creative challenges.
Anime: Co-creating with Japan's Leading Creators and Studios
Globally beloved series such as the Baki franchise and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure return this year with their long-awaited new installments. Building on the strong relationships we've cultivated with Japan's leading creators and studios, we are evolving these partnerships into deeper, more collaborative creative ventures.
Our recently announced partnership with MAPPA reflects this direction. Multiple projects are already underway, spanning story development through merchandise, as we work together to create worlds that fans can engage with beyond the screen.
Unscripted: Returning Hit series and New Concepts
New seasons of Love Village, The Boyfriend, and Badly in Love are also coming this year. Because these series explore different facets of romance and push the boundaries of the dating reality genre, they have sparked deep audience engagement - driving conversation and building strong communities that have carried them into their next chapters.
Alongside returning franchises, we will also introduce Doors Closed, Bids Open, our first-ever collaboration with Matsuko Deluxe. With new concepts like this, we will continue to broaden the range of unscripted storytelling from Japan.
LIVE: Real-time Viewing Into Focus in Japan
In March, Japan will livestream the World Baseball Classic, becoming the second region after the US to offer live streaming on Netflix. For the first time, all 47 games featuring teams from 20 countries will be available within a single service. With the roster of Samurai Japan announced just yesterday, anticipation for the tournament is building. By livestreaming, we will share the excitement as it unfolds with fans across Japan.
What Next?
Netflix aims to remain an indispensable service for our members and a committed partner for creators. To that end, we will continue to invest in storytelling from Japan and work alongside creators to open up the next chapter in its evolution. With much still to be discovered, we invite you to look forward to what's to come this year.
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