Japan's 2025 Slate Brings Stories Beyond Your Imagination

Kaata Sakamoto

Vice President, Content - Japan

This September marks 10 years since Netflix first came to Japanese screens. Over the years, we have embraced surprising, unique and bold ideas in our Japanese productions, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and creativity. In the first half of 2024, we surpassed 10 million members in Japan, and in the same year, we brought you standout titles across different genres, such as CITY HUNTER, The Boyfriend, Tokyo Swindlers, The Queen of Villains, and Beyond Goodbye.

We're committed to creating never-before-seen stories by collaborating with Japan's top creators and emerging talent with innovative ideas. We partner closely with these creators to tell authentic and honest stories that resonate with our local audience. Across all our productions, we're dedicated to elevating the working environments beyond Japanese standards, allowing creators to fully unleash their imagination. As we've seen with many successful Japanese productions, a compelling story has the power to transcend borders and capture hearts around the world.

At today's Next on Netflix event, we unveiled a spectacular lineup of live-action films set to premiere this year. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we're gearing up for what promises to be our most surprising, one-of-a-kind, and entertaining year yet. We can't wait for you to discover Japanese stories beyond your imagination, only on Netflix.

A diverse lineup of series for every mood

Asura, now streaming, is a modern-day family drama remake that explores the complex dynamics and deep bonds among four sisters. Looking ahead to July, Glass Heart introduces a music drama series conceived, co-produced, and starring Takeru Sato. Yu Miyazaki plays the heroine, with stellar performances from Keita Machida, Jun Shison, and Masaki Suda. Featuring a live performance with tens of thousands of extras, it stands as one of the largest-scale productions in Japanese drama history. ​​

Starring Hayato Isomura and Ok Taec-yeon, Soul Mate tells the poignant love story of a boxer who rescues a man in a foreign land after he's left everything behind. Come September, the highly anticipated Alice in Borderland returns with its third season, introducing a new storyline. This season promises to immerse audiences in the characters' survival journey through an unknown world.

Also this year, Romantics Anonymous brings a heartwarming rom-com that follows two unique individuals: a man who can't touch people and a woman who can't look others in the eye. Watch how their chance encounter is made sweeter by chocolate. And in November, the period drama Last Samurai Standing debuts, featuring 300 distinguished swordsmen in a life-or-death battle royale. With action scenes choreographed by Junichi Okada, this meticulously researched series brings the bygone era to life with detailed sets, unique costumes for each character, and cutting-edge VFX. We embraced the challenge of making new creative elements while honoring historical accuracy, and we're proud to present a story about the samurai, the pride of the Japanese, for the first time on Netflix.

A sense of scale like no other

This February 27, Demon City brings Masamichi Kawabe's manga to life with the violent portrayal of an assassin turned vengeful demon, wielding his axe with a force that shakes the underworld. Bullet Train Explosion revives the 1975 cult classic for a modern audience. Thanks to our collaboration with East Japan Railway Company, we were granted unprecedented access to actual bullet train cars and facilities. Under Shinji Higuchi's direction, the film delivers realistic, thrilling visuals and top-notch production quality.

In December, another hit manga is adapted for the screen with Inouesatoh's 10DANCE. Directed by Keishi Otomo, the film intricately portrays the passion, determination, struggle, and jealousy of two men devoted to dance, all set against a stunning backdrop.

Unscripted slates made by diverse creators

Premiering February 18, Offline Love invites ten men and women to embark on a tech-free adventure in France, where they must rely solely on a guidebook to navigate their way to romance, leaving all digital devices behind. Love is also in the air with Badly in Love, which delves into the world of Japanese "yankees" and their raw, genuine expressions of romance. Produced by MEGUMI, a former yankee herself, the show offers a look at serious and heartfelt relationships, captivating audiences with its earnest portrayal of love.

Nobuyuki Sakuma's Welcome, Now Get Lost finds its new home on Netflix, this time hosted by Koji Higashino. Fans can also look forward to another exciting new project from Nobuyuki this year, so stay tuned. Last but not least, Final Draft expands the unscripted series lineup with its first Japan-produced survival reality show featuring former professional athletes. Participants will engage in a thrilling contest of strategy, resilience, and psychological tactics, all vying for a chance to reclaim glory.