Netflix has unveiled the latest additions to its slate of originals in Japan— commissioning a live-action series, a film, an unscripted show, and an animated production—as well as an expanded alliance with Toho Studios.
Viral Hit is based on the WEBTOON series of the same name and stars Ouji Suzuka. One Year to Live, Buy a Man is a film from AOI Pro co-starring Ko Shibasaki and Eiji Akaso. Doors Closed, Bids Open is an auction series hosted by Matsuko Deluxe. Sparks of Tomorrow is an anime series by Kyoto Animation.
The streamer recently marked a decade in the Japanese market.
“Over ten years in Japan, our local team has taken on bold challenges, working closely with creators to pursue stories that go beyond imagination,” said Kaata Sakamoto, VP of content for Japan. “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.”
The platform said that viewing hours for Japanese titles reached an all-time high in the second half of 2025, driven by anime, which remains a priority. The platform recently aligned with MAPPA to expand its anime slate. It is also boosting the ambition of its live action slate, Sakamoto said, referencing Human Vapor, Netflix’s first-ever collaboration with Toho Studios. Netflix is also working with Toho Studios to “double our production footprint and introduce large-scale soundstages,” Sakamoto said. “This enhanced infrastructure will allow for more ambitious sets and expanded production capabilities, giving creators greater freedom to take on new creative challenges.”
Sakamoto also highlighted the upcoming livestream of the World Baseball Classic.
