Netflix Expands Japanese Content Slate

Netflix has unveiled a raft of new Japanese content commissions across both anime and live action.

The new commissions—adding to the streamer’s existing slate of 90 Japanese titles—were announced at the Netflix Japan Festival. The company has seen strong global traction with its Japanese slate, with more than 120 million homes tuning in to at least one anime title. The Seven Deadly Sins, Record of Ragnarok and Ruroni Kenshin: The Beginning, among other Japanese titles, have hit the top ten most viewed shows for Netflix in more than 50 countries.

“Our next big bet is expanding feature films,” said Kaata Sakamoto, VP of content for Japan at Netflix. “Japan is home to extraordinary talent who shape the cinematic history of the world. With creators as diverse as the ones we work with today, we’re excited to play a role in the history of great local talent finding their voices and delivering them to audiences everywhere.”

New titles include The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh, a spin-off film from the manga and anime of the same name from Nakaba Suzuki; and Kakegurui Twin, a prequel to Kakegurui. Also on the slate for 2022 are TIGER & BUNNY 2 (premiering April 2022), two new titles from the successful Detective Conan spin-off and The Orbital Children.

On the second day of the Netflix Japan Festival, live action will take center stage with the films We Couldn’t Become Adults and Asakusa Kid and the series The Journalist, Fishbowl Wives, He’s Expecting and First Love.