Netflix is making its biggest move yet in Japan. The streaming service, which started its journey in the country over a decade ago, is now expanding far beyond just anime. In 2026, Netflix is bringing live baseball, partnerships with top studios like Toho and MAPPA, and over 20 new live-action and unscripted shows to screens worldwide. The company is turning Japan into a major content hub, with viewing hours for Japanese titles hitting an all-time high in late 2025.
More Than Just Cartoons: A Full Entertainment Overhaul
For a long time, many people outside Japan thought of Netflix Japan as mainly an anime machine. While anime remains a huge part of the plan—one in every two Netflix members globally watches Japanese anime—the service is now pushing hard into live-action dramas, reality TV, and sports. The goal is to offer a complete package of Japanese entertainment, not just animated hits.
The company is putting serious money and resources into this shift. They recently signed a new deal with Toho Studios to double their production space in the country. This means bigger sets and more ambitious projects. The first major project under this deal is a reboot of the classic sci-fi story “Human Vapor,” which brings together top creators from Japan and Korea. Shun Oguri leads the cast as a detective hunting a killer who can turn into vapor.
This move is not just about making more shows. It is about making bigger, higher-quality shows that can compete with the biggest hits from Hollywood.
Live Sports Hits a Home Run for Netflix Japan
One of the smartest moves Netflix made this year was stepping into live sports. In March 2026, Netflix streamed all 47 games of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) exclusively for members in Japan. This was a test to see if live sports could drive growth.
It worked better than anyone expected. The tournament became the most-watched program ever on Netflix Japan, reaching an estimated 31.4 million people. The company reported that the WBC drove the largest single day of new sign-ups in the country’s history. As a result, Japan became the biggest contributor to member growth for Netflix in the first quarter of 2026.
This success opens the door for more live events. Netflix is proving that it can handle big, live moments, and Japan is leading the way for this in the Asia Pacific region.
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Big Partnerships and a Massive Slate of New Shows
Netflix is not going alone. They are building strong relationships with Japan’s biggest names in entertainment. Besides the deal with Toho, they have formed a strategic partnership with MAPPA, the famous studio behind “Chainsaw Man” and “Jujutsu Kaisen.” Multiple projects are already being developed together, from the initial story stage all the way to merchandise.
They also just announced a massive deal with NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster. Netflix will add 20 NHK dramas to its library by 2027, including the popular Taiga historical dramas and the morning serial “Mampuku.”
Here is a look at some of the biggest Japanese titles landing on Netflix in 2026:
Live-Action Series
- Human Vapor: A sci-fi reboot starring Shun Oguri, produced with Toho Studios.
- Sins of Kujo: A dark legal drama starring Yuya Yagira as a lawyer who defends criminals.
- Soul Mate: A tender romance between a Japanese man and a Korean boxer, starring 2PM’s Ok Taec-yeon.
Film and Unscripted
- One Year to Live, Buy a Man: A romance film starring Ko Shibasaki and Eiji Akaso about a woman with a terminal diagnosis.
- Doors Closed, Bids Open: A secret auction show hosted by the beloved TV personality Matsuko Deluxe.
Anime
- Sparks of Tomorrow: A steampunk series from the legendary Kyoto Animation studio.
- Fire Force Season 3 Part II: The conclusion of the hit firefighting fantasy action series.
- Beastars Final Season Part 2: The final chapter of the CGI animal drama.
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