or


[02/08/24 - 12:35 AM]
Netflix Unveils Dynamic Japanese Slate of Creative Breakthroughs
Upcoming highlights include the adaptation of Ko Shinjo's "Tokyo Swindlers," bringing to life a high-stakes game of real estate deception.

[via press release from Netflix]

Netflix Unveils Dynamic Japanese Slate of Creative Breakthroughs

Kaata Sakamoto

Vice President, Content - Japan

It's been nearly nine years since we launched Netflix in Japan, and we've brought an array of Japanese stories to the country and the world. We've always been focused on developing the best stories for our Japanese audience and reaching new global fans, which continues today with the announcement of our 2024 lineup.

Last year, Japanese-language content became the third most-viewed non-English content on Netflix, behind only Korean and Spanish. We collaborated with distinguished creators such as Hirokazu Kore-eda (The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House) and Yuji Sakamoto (In Love and Deep Water), and aimed to showcase unique Japanese narratives using world-class production. This synthesis of Japanese storytelling and global resources has allowed us to present stories that are both culturally resonant and globally accessible.

Deeply beloved Japanese IPs such as ONE PIECE, Yu Yu Hakusho, Pokémon Concierge, and PLUTO made waves both locally and worldwide. Japan's rich trove of manga, novels and anime provides an unparalleled source of longing inspiration, and we're thrilled to see that we've become a window through which the world experiences Japanese creativity.

Live-action titles that ignite the screen in 2024

This year, we'll continue to bring you even more never-before-seen stories from Japan across a wide variety of genres. At the "Next on Netflix" event today, we unveiled a stellar lineup of the hottest live-action titles that will be released over the next 11 months.

The series House of Ninjas features Kento Kaku as the lead actor and co-executive producer, under the direction of the up-and-coming Dave Boyle. This original story explores what would happen if ninjas were still a part of Japanese society today.

Based on Ko Shinjo's captivating novel, the Netflix adaptation of Tokyo Swindlers brings to life a high-stakes game of real estate deception. This thrilling crime drama series stars Go Ayano and Etsushi Toyokawa. The story unveils a series of unprecedented crimes committed by a cunning group of land scammers who use real estate sales as bait to steal large sums of money.

The Queen of Villains depicts the untold story of Dump Matsumoto, the charismatic figure behind the boom in women's professional wrestling during the 1980s. In this series, Yuriyan Retriever portrays Dump Matsumoto, while Ayame Goriki and Erika Karata breathe life into the roles of Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo from "Crush Gals."

In Beyond Goodbye, a grief-stricken Saeko meets Naruse, a man who strangely reminds her of Yusuke, her boyfriend who died in a traffic accident on the very day she proposed to him. Little did she know that Naruse received Yusuke's heart. Featuring Kasumi Arimura and Kentaro Sakaguchi, this original series is written by Yoshikazu Okada (The 8-Year Engagement, 10 Years to Live). Filmed in beautiful and spectacular locations, it's a love story that depicts the heartbreaking miracle of two people whose lives are tossed about by fate.

Helmed by Michihito Fujii, one of the most talented directors in Japanese cinema, The Parades tells a poignant story that delves into the emotions of the departed toward the loved ones they left behind. The top-tier cast includes Masami Nagasawa, who plays the lead character Minako, alongside Kentaro Sakaguchi, Ryusei Yokohama, Shinobu Terajima, Tetsushi Tanaka, Lily Franky, and Nana Mori. Yojiro Noda (RADWIMPS), renowned for the music behind one of Japan's most popular anime films, Your Name, composed both the theme song and the entire soundtrack of this film.

City Hunter is a live-action movie adaptation of the legendary manga, which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1985 to 1991, selling more than 50 million copies in all. Ryohei Suzuki takes on the starring role as the iconic "City Hunter."

Setting new benchmarks in Japanese entertainment

Through collaborating with emerging creators such as Sho Tsukikawa (Yu Yu Hakusho), Kan Eguchi and Tomoki Kanazawa (Sanctuary) and Yusuke Ishida (Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead), we discovered stories that hadn't been told, and which we turned into compelling entertainment for our audience. These significant investments in local production will ensure that the future of Japan entertainment remains vibrant and ground-breaking.

To help creators realize their creative visions, we've been actively improving the local production environment and structure. For example, we introduced "Respect Training" workshops across all production sites to foster a shared understanding of "respect" and create an environment where the cast and crew can have peace of mind in creating their works of art.

As we look forward to celebrating 10 years in Japan next year, we continue with our "local first" approach of bringing fresh, new stories to our Japanese viewers. In doing so, we're thrilled to continue introducing the world to the 'paradise of imagination' that is Japan.





  [february 2024]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· BEYOND GOODBYE (NETFLIX)
· HOUSE OF NINJAS (NETFLIX)
· LAST ONE STANDING (NETFLIX)
· LOVE DEADLINE (NETFLIX)
· LOVE VILLAGE (NETFLIX)
· QUEEN OF VILLAINS, THE (NETFLIX)
· TOKYO SWINDLERS (NETFLIX)





[01/21/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Golden Kamuy -The Hunt of Prisoners in Hokkaido-" - Official Trailer - Netflix
With two map pieces secured, Sugimoto and Asirpa continue their hunt for the remaining 22 tattooed convicts whose bodies hold the key to hidden treasure.

[01/21/25 - 03:01 PM]
Find Destined Romance without Phones in Japanese Reality Dating Series "Offline Love"
In the Netflix series, 10 men and women embark on a journey to find love in the picturesque city of Nice, without using digital devices.

[01/21/25 - 01:00 PM]
FOX's Animation Domination Returns with the Season Premieres of "Family Guy," "Grimsburg" and "The Great North," Plus All-New Episodes of "Krapopolis," on Sunday, February 16
Plus: all-new episodes of "The Simpsons" return beginning Sunday, March 30.

[01/21/25 - 12:00 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of Jan. 13: "Back in Action" Hits the Mark with Chart-Topping Debut
There was plenty of love for "XO, Kitty's" second season, which premiered on January 16 and debuted at No. 2 on the English TV list with 14.2 million views.

[01/21/25 - 11:33 AM]
Golden Globe Winner Uma Thurman Joins the Showtime Original Series "Dexter: Resurrection" Starring Michael C. Hall
Thurman will play the series regular role of Charley, the Head of Security for mysterious billionaire Leon Prater.

[01/21/25 - 11:10 AM]
Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City" Two-Part Reunion Begins Tuesday, January 28 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
Host Andy Cohen is joined by Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank, Brynn Whitfield and Racquel Chevremont to reflect on a tumultuous season that left relationships more fractured than ever before.

[01/21/25 - 11:00 AM]
What's New on Max This February
Highlights include new seasons of "The White Lotus" and "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," premiering February 16.

[01/21/25 - 10:08 AM]
"Abbott Elementary" - Season 5, Here We Come!
ABC confirmed the renewal on social media this morning.

[01/21/25 - 10:02 AM]
OWN's Unscripted Series "Family or Fiance" Returns with All-New Episodes Beginning Saturday, February 8 at 9PM ET/PT
Hosted by renowned relationship coach Tracy McMillan, this high-stakes social experiment brings real-life couples and their disapproving families together for three days to unpack their differences.

[01/21/25 - 10:01 AM]
Netflix Renews "The Lincoln Lawyer" for Season 4
Season 4 will consist of 10 episodes and will be based on the sixth book in The Lincoln Lawyer series by Michael Connelly, The Law of Innocence.

[01/21/25 - 10:01 AM]
The History Channel to Premiere New Six Part Docuseries "Thomas Jefferson" Beginning on Presidents' Day on Monday, February 17 at 8PM ET/PT
"Thomas Jefferson" offers an objective and comprehensive look into the complex life and achievements of the United States' third president, who was widely considered to be one of the patron saints of America's most sacred beliefs, and a central architect in the story of American democracy.

[01/21/25 - 10:00 AM]
Ninth Season of "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop" Starts January 25 with Blockbuster Tripleheader
ESPN's ninth season tips off on January 25 with a blockbuster tripleheader to close out NBA Rivals Week highlighted by an NBA Finals rematch, a Western Conference Semifinals rematch and LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Stephen Curry and Golden State Warriors.

[01/21/25 - 09:08 AM]
Video: "The Eastern Gate" - Official Trailer - Max
The enemy is close. The series premieres January 31 on Max.

[01/21/25 - 09:01 AM]
Netflix's "Running Point" - Date Announcement, Key Art & Images Debut
When a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) is appointed president of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises, and her family business.

[01/21/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Announces "Tribunal Justice" Season Two Premiere on January 27 and Releases Official Trailer
The fan-favorite courtroom series has already been renewed for a third season ahead of the season two debut.