What’s Coming to Netflix for Anime in 2018 & Beyond

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Earlier in 2017 Netflix went all out with their special Netflix Originals line-up on anime. Tons of titles were announced and not long after some more streaming exclusives got revealed. Since our last article on the topic a few anime did see a release during the Autumn/Q4 period; ID-0 finally saw a legal stream, Little Witch Academia TV was completed, and the first half of Fate/Apocrypha got released with a weird split of launch dates between the US & Canada and the rest of the world.

To celebrate the release of Devilman crybaby we have decided to offer a revised status on what is coming soon for Netflix’s service on the topic of anime (as we have done the same with Amazon Prime a few days ago).

Here are a list of titles coming exclusively through Netflix’s video service. Disclaimer note: This list does include two new additions that don’t have full region specs, however if it’s anything like the others that were released it is assumed that the rights probably include worldwide regardless.

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A.I.C.O. -Incarnation-


Streaming Date: Spring 2018
Studio: Bones
Show page here


In Japan in the year 2035, an accident known as the “Burst” occurs during a research project, spawning an out-of-control artificial life form called “Matter” that has spread throughout the Kurobe Gorge. The research city that was once hailed as the hope for humanity is cordoned off by the government. Two years later, 15-year-old Aiko Tachibana, who lost her family in the Burst, learns something unbelievable from Yuya Kanzaki, a new student at her school. A secret is hidden within her body, and the answer to the puzzle lies at the “Primary Point” that was the center of the Burst. When boy meets girl with the fate of humanity in their hands, what new truth will come to light?


From studio Bones comes a new 12 episode original series with director Kazuya Murata helming the project. Not much information has been said since its initial announcement but considering its scheduled date is sometime this Spring more news should be revealed soon. There is a manga adaptation also coming out.

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B: The Beginning


Streaming Date: 2nd March 2018
Studio: Production I.G
Show page here


In a world powered by advanced technology, crime and action unfold in the archipelagic nation of Cremona. Koku, the protagonist. Keith, the legendary investigator of the royal police force RIS. A mysterious criminal organization. A wide variety of characters race through the fortified city as it is beset by the serial killer, Killer B, and a chain of crimes.


Originally known as Perfect Bones, the Production I.G. series is finally heading to the service soon. Directors Kazuto Nakazawa and Yoshiki Yamakawa are helming the project with a total of 12 episodes planned. New trailers and info were revealed recently and we have done an article on that here.

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Baki


Japanese Airing Date: Summer 2018
Streaming Date: Autumn 2018
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Show page here


The protagonist, Baki Hanma, trains with an intense focus to become strong enough to surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma, the strongest fighter in the world. Five of the world’s most violent and brutal death row inmates are gathering to face Baki. Their objective is to taste defeat — their unmatched strength and skill have led them to grow bored of life itself, and they now seek out Baki in the hopes that he can overwhelm and utterly crush them. In this crisis, other underground martial art warriors gather to fight by Baki’s side: Kaoru Hanayama, Gouki Shibukawa, Retsu Kaioh, and Doppo Orochi. An epic showdown between violent death row inmates and Baki and his friends begins!

TMS Entertainment’s upcoming adaptation of Baki is still under wraps but we do have a scheduled release date. The series will run for 2-cour at 26 episodes total and adapt the manga’s Most Evil Death Row Convicts story arc. More news should appear in the next couple of months.

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Cannon Busters


Streaming Date: 2018
Studio: Satelight
Show page here


Follow the adventures and exploits of S.A.M, a high-end, royal-class, friendship droid who’s joined by a quirky, discarded maintenance robot and a brash, deadly fugitive. Together, the unlikely trio embarks on an unforgettable journey in a fantastic and dangerous world in search of S.A.M’s best friend, the heir to a powerful kingdom under siege.


American comic writer LeSean Thomas collaborated with studio Satelight and UK distributor Manga Animatsu to produce an animated adaptation of Cannon Busters after a successful kickstarter campaign. Since our last article on the Netflix line-up there has been no updates on the series just yet.

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Children of the Whales


Japanese Airing Date: October 2017
Streaming Date: 2018
Studio: J.C. Staff
Show page here


Chakuro is the 14-year-old archivist of the Mud Whale, a nigh-utopian island that floats across the surface of an endless sea of sand. Nine in ten of the inhabitants of the Mud Whale have been blessed and cursed with the ability to use saimia, special powers that doom them to an early death.

Chakuro and his friends have stumbled across other islands, but they have never met, seen, or even heard of a human who wasn’t from their own. One day, Chakuro visits an island as large as the Mud Whale and meets a girl who will change his destiny.


Children of the Whales has just finished its airing run in Japan but so far there has been no updates on the Netflix stream aside from a 2018 release date. Viz Media have licensed and released the first volume of the manga.

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Devilman crybaby


Streaming Date: 5th January 2018
Studio: Science SARU
Show page here


The protagonist Akira Fudo (Kouki Uchiyama) learns from his best friend, Ryo Asuka (Ayumu Murase), that an ancient race of demons has returned to take back the world from humans. Ryo tells Akira that the only way to defeat the demons is to incorporate their supernatural powers, and suggests that he unite with a demon himself. Akira succeeds in transforming into Devilman, who possesses both the powers of a demon and the soul of a human. The battle of Devilman and Akira Fudo begins.


Masaaki Yuasa’s adaptation of Go Nagai’s popular manga series. Devilman crybaby is almost here and it will be available worldwide in multiple audio and subtitle languages. AUKN have covered more info on this title here.

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Dorei-ku The Animation


Japanese Airing Date: April 2018
Streaming Date: 2018
Studio: TNK, Zero-G


24 people enter a survival game. Each has a device called an SCM (slave control method), which can make their opponent into their slave. Each person has their own reason for participating in the game.


A new addition to the list is an adaptation of the 2012 manga series Dorei-ku: Boku to 23-nin no Dorei being animated by studio TNK and Zero-G. The series’ title has been translated as ‘Slave District: 23 Slaves and Me’ but currently the anime is known as Dorei-ku the Animation. Ryōichi Kuraya will be directing the adaptation and Junji Goto is designing the characters.

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Fate/Apocrypha (2nd Half)


Japanese Airing Date: July 2017
Streaming Date: 2018
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Show page here


An unprecedented Great Holy Grail War begins…

Fourteen Heroic Spirits gather for an apocryphal Holy Grail War. In a city called Fuyuki, seven magi and their Heroic Spirits once clashed in a Holy Grail War. But amid the chaos of the Second World War, a magus made off with the Grail. Decades later, the Yggdmillennia clan holds the Grail high and secedes from the Mage’s Association, declaring their independence. Angered by the move, the Association sends assassins after them, only to have them wiped out by a Yggdmillennia Servant. The choice is made to fight Servants with Servants, and the Holy Grail War system is expanded to two factions of seven Servants each. A Holy Grail War of unprecedented scale — a Great Holy Grail War — begins in Trifas, Romania.


The first half of Fate/Apocrypha just got added to the service as the second half finishes its airing run. There’s currently no word on when exactly the second half will be available but considering the speed it went it’s probably either February or March. Apocrypha is a spin-off series of the Fate/stay night franchise based on the light novel series of the same name.

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Fate/Extra Last Encore


Japanese Airing Date: January 2018
Streaming Date: 2018
Studio: SHAFT


Waking up in a strange virtual world with no recollection of the past, Hakuno finds himself forced to fight for survival in a war he does not understand for a prize beyond value; the opportunity to have one’s wish granted. With only an enigmatic “Servant” by his side, Hakuno Kishinami will have to face both friends and foes in battles to the death in order to not only gain possession of a mysterious object known as the “Holy Grail,” but also to find the answer to the most important question of all: “Who am I?”

Another new addition to the list, and one that a lot of people surprisingly didn’t notice. Another spin-off series from the Fate/stay night franchise, Studio SHAFT’s upcoming adaptation of the Fate/Extra series is airing much later than the other Winter 2018 anime however it has been revealed that Netflix will be handling exclusive distribution in terms of streaming. Currently worldwide regions have not been mentioned but this was the same case with Apocrypha, and chances are that Aniplex of America will bring it up at some point if we had to pick a guess.

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Godzilla Movie Trilogy


Japanese Theatrical Date (Movie 1): November 2017
Japanese Theatrical Date (Movie 2): May 2018
Japanese Theatrical Date (Movie 3): 2018
Streaming Date: 2018
Studio: Polygon Pictures
Show page here


The last summer of the 20th Century. That day, the human beings learn that they are not the only ruler of the planet Earth.

The appearance of the giant living creatures “Kaiju’s” and the ultimate existence that destroys all monsters: Godzilla. Through the battle against kaiju’s that lasted for half a century, human beings has experienced continuous defeat, and finally plans to escape from the Earth. And in 2048, only those who were selected by the A.I. managed under the central government boarded the inter-sidereal emigrant spaceship “Aratrum” to head for “Tau Cetus e”, the planet beyond the distance of 11.9 light-year. However, the environmental condition differences between that of the Earth and Tau e, which they finally arrived after 20 years were far beyond the predicted numbers, and was not an environment considered to be habitable by human beings.

The young man on the emigrant ship: Haruo, who saw his parents killed by Godzilla in front of his eyes when he was 4 years old, had only one thing in his mind for 20 years: to return to the Earth and defeat Godzilla. Shut out from the possibility of emigration, as the living environment in the ship deteriorates, the group of “Earth Returnists” led by Haruo became the majority, and determines to head back to Earth through a dangerous long-distance hyperspace navigation. However, the Earth they have returned has already passed the time of 20,000 years, and has become an unknown world with the ecosystem reigned by Godzilla.

At the end, will human beings win back the Earth? And what will Haruo see beyond his fate?


Polygon Pictures is continuing their work on adapting Godzilla with their movie trilogy. The first film has been theatrically released while the second film has been dated (and the third film is currently unknown). Netflix will once again distribute the films worldwide on their services but for the time being there’s no word on when or how they will handle it.

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Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler


Japanese Airing Date: July 2017
Streaming Date: 2018
Studio: MAPPA


Live. Bet your life on it.

There is one absolute rule in gambling — at the end of the day, there is a winner and a loser. The winner gains riches and prestige, while the loser is branded a failure and left with nothing. In the silence leading up to the moment that separates winners and losers, instincts are sharpened and desires reach the point of ecstasy. This is a harsh microcosm of life in a capitalist society. Why are people captivated by a world filled with risk? What lies beyond the madness? As the class system of modern society crumbles, an unprecedented adrenaline-pumping anime sweeps the world.


Studio MAPPA’s adaptation of the gambling manga series finished airing back in September 2017 and no updates has been said with regards to the Netflix streams outside Japan. Given the speed of titles like ID-0, it’s possible we could see the series appear either February or Spring 2018.

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Knights of the Zodiacs: Saint Seiya


Streaming Date: 2018
Studio: Toei Animation


In ancient times, a group of young men devoted their lives to protecting Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War. These men were capable of fighting without weapons—a swing of their fist alone was powerful enough to rip the very sky apart and shatter the earth beneath them. These brave heroes became known as Saints, as they could summon up the power of the Cosmos from within themselves.

Now, in present day, a new generation of Saints is about to come forth. The young and spirited Seiya is fighting a tough battle for the Sacred Armor of Pegasus, and he isn’t about to let anyone get in the way of him and his prize. Six years of hard work and training pay off with his victory and new title as one of Athena’s Saints.

But Seiya’s endeavor doesn’t end there. In fact, plenty of perils and dangerous enemies face him and the rest of the Saints throughout the series. What new quests await the heroes of the epic Saint Seiya saga?

The new anime adaptation of the original Saint Seiya manga adapting the Galaxy War and Silver Saint arcs from director Yoshiharu Ashino and studio Toei Animation has not received any updates since it’s announcement. Here’s a recap of the American writers contributing to the anime project; Benjamin Townsend (Thunderbirds are Go), Shannon Eric Denton (Avengers: Secret Wars), Thomas F. Zahler (Ultimate Spider-Man), Joelle Sellner (Ben 10: Omniverse), Travis Donnelly (Bull), Thomas Pugsley (Ben 10), Saundra Hall (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Shaene Siders (Avengers: Secret Wars), and Patrick Rieger (Justice League Action) with Eugene Son (Avengers: Secret Wars) will be helming the script. Terumi Nishii (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable) will be designing the characters.

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Lost Song


Streaming Date: 2018
Studio: Dwango, LIDENFILMS
Show page here


Rin (Konomi Suzuki), an energetic girl who loves to eat, lives in a verdant frontier village. Deep within the royal palace in the bustling capital city, the songstress Finis (Yukari Tamura) spends her days in solitude. Both share a special power no other person has. A miraculous power that can heal wounds, create water and stir the wind — the power of song. Guided by destiny, the two young women each face an arduous journey with the power of song. The shadow of war looms over the kingdom, tainting even the miraculous songs with the blood of innocents. Loved ones meet their deaths as silent screams echo through a stone prison. As two destinies intersect, will the final song be one of despair, hope or…?


A co-production between LIDEN FILMS and Dwango, the new series directed by Junpei and Morita is still set for a global launch on the service sometime in 2018. Tomonori Fukuda will be designing the characters and Deho Gallery will be providing the background art. Konomi Suzuki and Yukari Tamura were revealed to play the characters Rin and Finis in the show.

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Rilakkuma and Kaoru


Streaming Date: Spring 2019
Studio: dwarf
Show page here


The character’s story begins when the titular Rilakkuma suddenly appears in the apartment of office worker Kaoru and begins living there, spending every day idling around. He has a zipper on his back, but the contents remain unknown. He likes food like pancakes, omelette rice, pudding, and dango. He lives together with the little white cub Korilakkuma and Kaoru’s pet Kiiroitori (“yellow bird”).

Japan’s popular soft toy bear is getting a stop-motion anime series in Spring 2019. Masahito Kobayashi will be directing the series at studio dwarf with Naoko Ogigami writing the script. Created by Aki Kondo, the toy first went on sale by San-X in 2003 and is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

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Sword Gai: The Animation


Streaming Date: 23rd March 2018
Studio: Production I.G, DLE
Show page here


A weapon that has drawn the blood of countless victims becomes legend, and at times takes on a life of its own. When such a weapon’s human host is filled with hate and murderous intent, he becomes a demonic combination of weapon and man that thirsts only for slaughter. An organisation has faced these dangerous beings over the centuries. A young man named Gai is destined to live as a weapon. As humans are enthralled by their weapons’ power, epic battles unfold with the fate of humanity in the balance in this battle action fantasy.

Based on the manga of the same name, Sword Gai’s newest adaptation from studio DLE and company Fields is almost hitting the service. The anime will be directed by Tomohito Naka, chief directed by Takahiro Ikezoe, and original writer Toshiki Inoue handling the series composition. Kotaro Nakagawa will be composing the music.

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Violet Evergarden


Japanese Airing Date: January 2018
Streaming Date: Spring 2018 (11th January in Singapore)
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Show page here


Auto Memories Doll.

It’s been quite a while since that name caused a fuss. Originally invented by Professor Orland solely for his beloved wife, Auto Memories Dolls eventually spread out into the world, and a machine that allows people to rent out the dolls was also created.

“I will run as fast as I can to wherever my customer desires. I am the Auto Memories Doll, Violet Evergarden.”

A girl who almost appears to have popped out of a fairy tale with her blonde hair and blue eyes said this with her inorganic beauty and sweet voice.


And finally we have the highly anticipated Violet Evergarden. Nothing else needs to said about this series, but we did cover more about it when Anime Limited acquired the UK & Ireland home video rights a while back.

Now there has been a lot of talk about when exactly the series is going to be available worldwide on the service. We initially reported it for January like everyone else but a few hours later we’ve updated it as a ‘rumour’ due to conflicting reports between the Netflix PRs around the world (though Singapore is definitely simulcasting it). We have contacted Netflix UK’s support for more confirmation so hopefully we can get a response soon.

That is all of the announced titles confirmed so far. There will be more later down the line, but they generally don’t get revealed until closer to the next seasons begin. More info for the existing titles without proper dates will be known later on as well.

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For those interested there is also a live-action Mob Psycho 100 series coming soon to Netflix as well which is out on 12th January in Japan first. The show page is up but there’s no exact release date for the rest of the world at the time of this post.

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In for Devilman Crybaby, I don't even have a Netflix account and this is the only thing to get me interested in using the service since its inception.
 
Devilman sounds interesting to me but the more I see of it now the more I see 10 billion hours in Microsoft paint. If it looks that bad when we have it it may put me off. I've seen things from compulsive gambler that's heavy on explanations, that is you trying to explain to the person who just walked into the room as to why you are watching such a show, of course it's going to get a watch from me. Only other ones I know I'd like is the fates and maybe the godzilla trilogy
 
I think Devilmaaaan looks great, a sort of modernised, stylised take on Nagai's designs in a similar way to what the Fujiko series did for Lupin.
I've seen things from compulsive gambler that's heavy on explanations, that is you trying to explain to the person who just walked into the room as to why you are watching such a show, of course it's going to get a watch from me.
Uh, did this sentence go through Google translate Cap'n? Because I honestly have no idea what you're trying to express here.
 
Uh, did this sentence go through Google translate Cap'n? Because I honestly have no idea what you're trying to express here.

It's ecchi and would be hard to explain if someone walked in.

On that note Kakegurui is actually something I'm really looking forward to, I hope Netflix pulls their finger out soon, it's been 6 months since it aired and it's *still* not out...
 
Why have they held back Kakegurui so long? Can't say I feel bad about having watched it already.

Yeah, I also find it odd. Like, Fate/Apocrypha aired in the same season and they've already got half of that up. This is what annoys me about their insistence of dubbing everything, I wish they'd put up a sub version ASAP then add the dub later instead of making people who are ambivalent to the dub wait. It's just frustrating. Hopefully Violet Evergarden is a turning point.
 
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