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Netflix's Epic 2026 Japan Slate: Anime, Live Sports & More!
27 Jan
Summary
- Netflix partners with MAPPA for new anime and live-action projects.
- Expanded Toho Studios deal doubles production footprint.
- First international live sports broadcast: 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Netflix is set to launch its most extensive Japan content slate in 2026, marking a decade of operations in the Asia Pacific region. This expanded offering includes live-action series, anime productions, and unscripted shows.
The streaming service has forged a significant partnership with MAPPA, the renowned animation studio behind "Chainsaw Man" and "Jujutsu Kaisen," to collaborate on new projects from their inception.
Additionally, Netflix is enhancing its production capacity through an expanded agreement with Toho Studios, which will double its footprint and introduce large-scale soundstages for more ambitious productions. The first project under this expanded deal is "Human Vapor," a reboot with a story developed by Japanese and Korean creators.
In a significant move, Netflix will also broadcast all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic live in Japan from March 5-18. This marks the company's inaugural live international sports broadcast within the Japanese market.
The 2026 Japan slate boasts a variety of content, including new seasons of popular live-action series and a diverse range of anime titles. Live-action productions such as "Quiztopia," "Straight to Hell," "Sins of Kujo," "Soul Mate," and "Viral Hit" are slated for release, alongside scripted series like "S&X," "Plastic Beauty," and "Did Someone Happen to Mention Me?."
The anime lineup features anticipated releases including "Fire Force Season 3 Part II," "Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai," "Steel Ball Run JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," and "Beastars Final Season Part 2." The live-action adaptation of "One Piece" will also continue with Season 2. Other anime projects include "Love Through a Prism," "Cosmic Princess Kaguya!," "The Ramparts of Ice," and "Sparks of Tomorrow" from Kyoto Animation.
Unscripted content includes new seasons of "The Boyfriend," "Love Village," and "Badly in Love." Netflix is also introducing new formats like "Doors Closed, Bids Open" and films such as "This is I," "My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend," and "One Year to Live, Buy a Man."
