During its annual content showcase in Tokyo, Netflix Japan has unveiled its slate of new movies, series, and televised specials for 2026.
The biggest announcement of the evening was that Netflix Japan has partnered with production giant Toho Studios to bring even more movies and shows to the streamer’s Japanese branch.
Netflix Japan Announces A Hugely Ambitious Slate Of Content
“We expect to be creating up to 15 live-action titles each year at Toho Studios,” said Kaata Sakamoto, the creative director of Netflix Japan. This year, that includes thirteen new series, three films, and all 47 games of the World Baseball Classic. The decision comes after national heroes Shohei Ohtaniand Yoshinobu Yamamoto confirmed their involvement with the domestic team.
Of those thirteen new series, the buzziest announcement is Human Vapor, a star-studded reboot of Toho’s beloved sci-fi property headed by Train to Busan auteur Yeon Sang-ho. Other exciting projects include Yuya Yagira‘s Sins of Kujo, Koji Kahusho‘s Did Someone Happen To Mention Me?, and Mayu Matsuoka‘s romantic epic Plastic Beauty.
Netflix Japan will also produce and release eight new anime series throughout 2026, including Sparks of Tomorrow, a new steampunk adventure from Kyoto Animation. Shows such as Fire Force and BEASTARS were also renewed for further seasons.
Most interesting was Netflix’s decision to bring live baseball to Japan, with all 47 games of the World Baseball Classic making an unpredecented push onto streaming. This continues Netflix’s expansion into live events programming in asia, following Alex Honnold‘s breathtaking Skyscraper Live stunt where he scaled Taipei 101 by himself.
Reality television and unscripted dramas have always been a pillar of Japanese culture, and Netflix is clearly leaning into this in 2026. The streamer renewed nationwide hits including The Boyfriend and Badly in Love, alongside a handful of new series to sweeten the deal.
One of these new properties is Doors Closed, Bids Open, a dramatic auction series featuring Japanese television icon Matsuko Deluxe.
