Netflix Doubles Down on Japanese Content with New Anime and Unscripted Shows
Netflix is significantly expanding its Japanese content offerings, driven by the growing global popularity of anime and Japanese reality television.According to netflix’s 2023 viewership report, one in every two Netflix members globally now watches Japanese anime, with total viewing hours tripling in the past five years.
Unscripted Reality Series
The streaming giant is bolstering its unscripted slate with several returning and new series:
- “The Boyfriend” (Season 2): Premiering January 13, this dating reality series, Japan’s frist featuring gay men, moves to Hokkaido and features ten new contestants. Returning hosts include Megumi, Horan chiaki, Aoyama Thelma, Durian Lollobrigida, and Tokui Yoshimi.
- “Love Village” (Season 3): This series shifts to a communal house near Mount Fuji, where singles aged 35-60 search for love. Tamura Atsushi and Becky will return as hosts.
- “Badly in Love” (Season 2): Returning to Okinawa, this series features a new cast of participants from diverse backgrounds living together in pursuit of romance. Megumi serves as creator and producer.
- “Doors Closed, Bids Open”: Netflix’s first collaboration with Matsuko Deluxe, this unique show presents a secret, members-only auction in a mysterious underground setting.
New Japanese Films
Netflix is also investing in original Japanese films, covering a range of genres and themes:
- “This is I” (Febuary 10): This biographical drama tells the true story of Haruna Ai and Dr. Wada Koji. Mochizuki Haruki stars as Onishi Kenji, who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to become Haruna Ai, with Saitoh Takumi portraying Dr.Wada Koji.The film is directed by Matsumoto Yusaku.
- “My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend”: based on Min Ji Hyoung’s Korean novel, this film stars Nagano Mei as a committed feminist who reconnects with her ex-boyfriend after seven years. Kobayashi Keiichi wrote and directed the film.
- “One year to Live, Buy a Man”: Shibasaki Ko plays Katakura Yui, a 40-year-old woman diagnosed with cancer who purchases the companionship of Sena (Akaso Eiji), a nightclub host, for JPY720,000. The film is directed by Kazama Hiroki and written by okada Yoshikazu, and is based on Yoshikawa Toriko’s novel.
APAC Content Strategy
kim Minyoung, VP of content for APAC (ex-India), emphasized Netflix’s commitment to local storytelling. She stated, “Our teams in APAC no what the local creative community is capable of, and they are filled with passion to take local storytelling to the next level. As each country continues to expand their variety of stories and take bigger, bolder creative risks, APAC will continue to grow its place on the global entertainment stage.”
Publication Date: 2026/01/27 08:48:13
