Must-Watch Japanese dramas and anime on Netflix 2026

Spring has officially begun, bringing with it a fresh selection of Japanese dramas and anime! With so much Japanese content being released on Netflix, it can be challenging to keep up. Fortunately, I'm here to help you navigate it all.

Whether you're a Japanese language learner seeking immersion content, interested in exploring Japanese media, or simply in need of some new Netflix recommendations, this guide is for you. Here is my latest list of Must-Watch Japanese dramas and anime on Netflix.

Straight to Hell

The latest release of Netflix Originals brings us a semi-biopic of one of Japan's most infamous fortunetellers. Straight to Hell is a 9-part docudrama series that premiered in April 2026. It charts the meteoric rise and controversial career of Kazuko Hosoki, the woman who captivated Japan for decades with her "ominous" fortune-telling. Spanning 60 years, the series explores the thin line between genuine spiritual guidance and elaborate fraudulent business practices, leaving viewers to decide if she was a gifted mystic or a master manipulator.

I just watched the first episode of Straight to Hell and... I have mixed feelings. To begin with, this show is undoubtedly one of Netflix Japan's major releases of the year, with no expense spared to make it appear grand and dazzling. There are scenes from 1950s Japan, which have been given an American Burlesque vibe, alongside modern Japan scenes.

The main character, Kazuko Hosoki, portrayed by Toda Erika, follows a seemingly classic "rags-to-riches" storyline that audiences have seen many times before. The first episode does an excellent job of establishing Hosoki's origin story, but it didn't do much to convince me that this show differs from other series about a character who rises from the ashes, only to sacrifice their morality for money and fame.

Nevertheless, I am excited to see what exactly happens to Japan's most famous fortune teller and how her story evolves. Stay tuned for a full review!

Sins Of Kujo

In the legal world, some lawyers seek justice, and then there is Taiza Kujo. Specializing in the "indefensible"—from sociopathic criminals to the dregs of the underworld—Kujo lives in a tent on a building rooftop and operates in the pitch-black moral gray zone. This isn't a story about right and wrong; it’s a surgical examination of how the law can be used as a weapon by the very people it’s meant to protect us from.

Another courtroom/legal drama from Japan, this time featuring a "Dr. House MD"-like character in Kujo Sensei. Yuya Yagira excels in portraying the socially awkward yet brilliant Taiza Kujo. The story begins in a classic fashion with Kujo and his legal assistant handling various cases to highlight Kujo's role as a defender of criminals, gradually weaving in more of Kujo's past and personality.

Love Generation

Teppei is a creative hotshot who hates rules; Riko is the office assistant who won’t let him break them. After a disastrous one-night encounter (before they knew they were colleagues), they are forced to work together in a high-stakes advertising agency. Against the backdrop of a glittering 90s Tokyo, this is a battle of pride, hidden vulnerabilities, and the "True Love" billboard that watches over their messy lives.

Following a lengthy hiatus, Netflix has chosen to delight us with additional Kimura Takuya dramas, and this time they might have unveiled one of his finest roles. The 90s Tokyo atmosphere is truly captivating, and Kimura Takuya is undoubtedly one of the most charismatic Japanese actors ever. While the plot of Love Generation is quite simple, the performances, the main theme song, and the overall vibe and setting of the story make it one of the best J-dramas I've seen in a long time.

Long Vacation

What happens when you’re dumped at the altar and forced to move in with your ex-fiancé’s stoic, younger roommate? Sena, a struggling pianist, and Minami, a washed-up model, find themselves stuck in a shared apartment during a "long vacation" from life’s successes. It’s a soulful exploration of the quiet moments between failure and the next big break. Can two people who feel like they’ve lost everything find a new rhythm together?

Reborn

In Reborn: Saigo no Hero, ruthless tech CEO Kosei Neo is on the brink of ultimate power when he’s mysteriously pushed to his death—only to wake up in 2012 in the body of a kind-hearted stranger living a completely different life. Armed with memories of the future and his own murder, he must unravel who tried to kill him while rewriting his fate, but every move he makes begins to change him in unexpected ways. As secrets unfold and identities blur, the story twists into a high-stakes battle between destiny, redemption, and the chilling question: was he meant to be reborn as a hero—or was he always the villain?

Tagusari bros

Two siblings are bound by a haunting past: their parents’ brutal murder—an unsolved case that slipped through justice by just two days before the law changed. Now grown, one a sharp detective and the other a forensic genius, they enter law enforcement not to serve the system—but to outsmart it. As they solve chilling new crimes that eerily mirror their own tragedy, a deeper conspiracy begins to surface, forcing them to confront a terrifying possibility: the truth they’ve chased their entire lives may be far darker—and closer—than they ever imagined.

One Piece Elbaph Arc

After decades of anticipation, the Straw Hat Pirates finally set foot on the land of the Giants: Elbaph. As Luffy and his crew navigate a world scaled for gods, the mysteries of the Void Century, the legacy of Prince Loki, and the final secrets of the "Sun God" Nika begin to converge. In the land of warriors, is the crew ready for the sheer scale of the challenges—and the revelations—that await?

As of April 28, we've reached the fourth episode of the Elpaph arc, but nothing significant or engaging has occurred so far. The entire "Legoland" storyline feels like filler, and we're all enduring it to reach the exciting moment when Luffy finally confronts Loki. I genuinely suggest that viewers watch only the first episode of the arc and then wait for the next week's episode, where the Elbaph arc truly begins.

Kill Blue

Ogamii is the underworld’s most feared hitman... until a mysterious wasp sting de-ages him into a middle schooler. Now, the legendary killer must navigate the deadliest environment known to man: the Japanese public school system. Armed with professional combat skills but zero social cues, Ogamii has to protect his classmates from rival assassins while trying to pass his midterms.

Let me know what Japanese shows you are watching on Netflix in 2026!