Japanese Movies & TV Shows I’m Most Excited for in 2026
- Abdul Bahelil
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
I can’t believe we’re already one month into 2026! If you’re a fan of Japanese movies, dramas, and anime, 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year. From highly anticipated sequels to brand-new originals on Netflix and in theatres, there’s a lot to get excited about. Before the year truly gets going with releases, I’m breaking down the Japanese movies and TV shows I can’t wait to watch in 2026 — so stick around, because some of these might end up being in your watchlists for the year.
Kokuho
First up, we have Japan’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Academy Awards, Kokuho. Now, technically, this film came out last year, but as is often the case with Japanese film releases, we have to wait at least 6-9 months to watch it in the West. Nevertheless, the wait will be worth it as Kokuho has received a ton of praise both critically and commercially; in fact, it has become the highest-grossing domestic live-action film ever in Japan.
Kokuho follows the life of Kikuo Tachibana, a boy born into a yakuza family in the mid-1960s whose life changes when he’s taken in by a celebrated kabuki actor family. Raised alongside the actor’s biological son Shunsuke, Kikuo devotes himself to the traditional Japanese theatre form of kabuki — eventually striving to become a living national treasure(ningen kokuhō), the title that gives the film its name.
Look Back - Live Action
If you know me, you know that my favourite director of all time is Hirokazu Kore-eda. I’ve raved about him and his filmography extensively on this channel, so I am not going to bore you anymore with the reasons as to why I think he is incredible. When the news broke that Kore-eda is going to direct the live-action version of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back, I absolutely lost it. I couldn’t think of a better-suited director to adapt one of the most unique and interesting stories of the past few years than Mr Still Walking Himself. It’s safe to say that this is probably my most anticipated piece of media for this year.
Look Back is a coming-of-age drama about two young girls — Ayumu Fujino and Kyomoto — who bond through their shared passion for drawing manga. It explores themes of friendship, rivalry, artistic growth, loss, and what it means to keep creating.
Love on trial
Next up, we have Love on Trial by one of my favourite directors, Koji Fukada. Fun fact: my very first YouTube video is about his film called Harmonium, which you should definitely check out. Whenever Fukada has a new film coming out, I always make sure to mark my calendar, but as I mentioned before, we have to wait a while to get to see these releases.
The movie follows Mai Yamaoka, a rising J-Pop idol whose promising career unravels when she falls in love — a direct violation of the strict “no relationship” clause in her management contract. When photos of her romance surface, her agency sues her for breach of contract, dragging her into a real-world legal battle that becomes both a personal and symbolic fight for the right to love and live freely.
Human Vapor
Human Vapour is an upcoming live-action Japanese sci-fi thriller series co-produced by Netflix and Toho Studios — the first major collaboration between them that reimagines the iconic tokusatsu legacy of The Human Vapour for a modern global audience with an original storyline.
The series is a crime thriller with sci-fi elements starring a Human Vapour figure — someone who can transform his body into a gas-like form.
The narrative reportedly follows a detective (played by Oguri) hunting this mysterious being as a string of bizarre crimes unfold across modern Japan.
Quiztopia
Another upcoming Netflix series I am excited for is Quizoptia.
The story is set in a parallel/alternate Japan where a government-sanctioned quiz show possesses absolute authority under the law — effectively acting as a supreme governing force.
Contestants who win the show are granted any wish by the government.
Contestants who lose face severe penalties, such as heavy fines, forced labour, or even conscription into state service.
The quiz tests people’s deepest desires and desperation, pushing participants to risk everything for their dreams — even their lives. Very Alice in Borderland/Squid Game-esque.
The show stars Takayuki Yamada, known for his role in Naked Director, as the lead/quiz show host. The show is produced by The Seven, one of Japan’s leading production companies that has worked on popular series such as Alice in Borderland and Yu Yu Hakusho. The Takayuki Yamada factor and the fact that The Seven are in charge of production have me extremely hyped for this show that is gearing towards being one of Netflix’s new staple IPs and filling the hole that Alice in Borderland has left.
Daemons of the shadow realm
Daemons of the Shadow Realm is an upcoming supernatural fantasy anime adaptation of the popular manga by Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist. Once I read that, I had to put it into my list as I adore Fullmetal Alchemist, and if I am not mistaken, this is the first major anime adaptation of Arakawa’s work since Fullmetal Alchemist.
The story follows Yuru and Asa, twin siblings born just seconds apart — one at night and the other by day — in a world where certain humans can command powerful supernatural duos called Daemons. Separated in childhood and unaware of their true heritage, the twins must reunite, claim their birthright, and protect the world from devastation. I mean, that sounds fun! Fingers crossed that it actually delivers!
That was my list of Japanese Movies & TV Shows I’m Most Excited for in 2026. Let me know if you agree or if I’ve missed any movies and/or TV shows that I should keep an eye on during 2026.
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