The Final Stretch of 2026: Japanese Movies, J-Dramas & Anime I’m Hyped For

I can't believe we are now in October. The year has flown by and we are now in the final stretch of 2026. 3 months. That's all that is left of an insane year for cinema, entertainment and escapism in general. On a personal note, its been a very up and down year for me too but thankfully I am in good health and ready to give you guys some more content.

Despite the fact that 2026 is coming to an end, there are still several Japanese movies and TV shows I am lookign forward to that are set to drop before the end of the year. Netflix Japan originals, new exciting anime series and the several films. Lets get into it!

Also lets hope the Adsense team can see the effort I am putting into these blog posts to deliver high quality content to my people!

Japanese TV Shows/J-dramas

My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend

I have to be honest. The main reason I am eagerly anticipating this drama isnt necessarily the story behind it, but the fact that this will be Nagano Mei's comeback project since her scandal in spring of 2025.

I rarely talk about the celebrity side of the Japanese entertainment world, but the whole Nagano Mei/Tanaka Kei affair scandal is one of the big tragedies of J-entertainment in my opinion. An actress that was at the top of her game and continuously reaching new heights in terms of commercial success, brand awarness and overall celebrity, just all collapsed within a Friday evening when a popular gossip magazine revealed that she was having an affair with a married man.

There is much more to the scandal but I will leave it here because I dont want to bore you or the SEO algorithm with such a story! Back to the actual show - "My Crazy Feminist Girlfirend" revolves around a feminist played by Nagano Mei, who re-enters the live of her ex-boyfriend after 7 years, and discovers how differing their views have become on love, life and politics.

The show is set to premiere on 3 December 2026 on Netflix

Did someone happen to mention me ?

Netflix Japan isnt signing off 2026 just yet as its set to drop atleast 2 more productions before the year ends. One of those being "Did someone happen to mention me ?" starring the legendary Japanese actor Koji Yakusho as a once famous actor who established his career in London's theater scene.

When he returns to Japan fresh of his successful theater run, hea realises that his fame has disappeared and nobody in Japan recognise him, his professional connections have disappeared, and even his family no longer seems to know who he is. His situation becomes so extreme that local police dismiss him as an elderly man suffering from memory problems.

Gen tries to re-enter the Japanese entertainment industry by taking any work, including background roles and unlikely jobs that are a far cry from his previous status. His efforts to regain his identity are both absurd and poignant. Years ago, I heard about a J-drama that is being filmed in London, and it seems to me that the show in question is this one. Based on the trailer, several scenes were shot in my town, which makes this an extra special reason why this has ended up in my list.

Movies

One year to live, buy a man

Godzilla Minus Zero

Oh my goodness! Where do I even begin with this movie?!?!? Its an understatement to say that Godzilla minus zero is my most anticipated film of 2026. Godzilla minus one revitalized the Kaiju/Godzilla franchise and gave it the shock it needed after the Hollywood slop that is the Godzilla v Kong franchise or whatever it's called.

Minus Zero is the much anticipated follow up to minus one and in all honesty I dont even know what the plot is nor do I want to know. I've seen a few clips here and there but I want to go in as blind as possible. I've already read some early reactions from people who were able to watch this movie during various film festivals, and their reactions were of awe and astonishment, some even saying that it trumps its predeccasor.

Reading some of those early reviews/reactions gave me goosebumps and of course I had to book my ticket for a preview screening at the BFI IMAX in glorious 70mm. I can't freaking wait!

Look Back (Live action adaptation of Tatuski Fujimoto's One Shot mang

You know how I just said that Godzilla minus zero is my most anticipated film of 2026 ? Well, I take that slightly back, and give that crown to Look back! I know I know, its not that professional of me to flip flop that much but its my man Hirokazu Kore-eda. When I heard that he was going to direct a live action adaptation of one of my favorite one shot manga's in Look Back, I immiediately wrote several articles outling how this is a match made in heaven.

Since then we've gotten the trailer and the film has debuted at multiple film festivals to an incredible reception. The reaction has truly been a 180 compared to Kore-eda's Sheep in the Box which also came out this year. The film is shot in beautiful 35mm film and looks gorgeous.

I dont know when the public will be able to watch it across the world, but rest assured I will be the first in line to its first london screening(outside of the London Film Festival of course which I couldnt get a ticket to despite queuing digitally for hours).

Anime

Yes, I am back to watching WAY more anime this season than I have in the past and so I've listed some of the shows that I am looking forward to/have already started airing.

Cyberpunk edgerunners 2 - 20 October 2026 - Netflix

The big follow up season to one of the most watched and discussed shows of the pandemic era. I still can't believe its been 4 years since season 1 took the anime world by absolute storm. To be honest I dont remember much about season 1 except for that amazing song(you know which one I am talking about).

Thankfully for me, and maybe even you, season 2 is unrelated to season 1 and acts as a standalone set of 10 episodes on various themes such as revenge, redemption and making it in this insane world that CD Project Red has created all these years ago. This means a whole new cast with a bunch of new adventures. I am hyped!

Blue Box season 2

Blue Box has a special place in my heart as it was one of the first manga I started following the moment the first chapter dropped on the Shonen Jump app during the pandemic. Its not the most exciting of stories and to be honest super frustrating when all you want to see is Taiki and Chinatsu finally get together.

I enjoyed season 1 for what it is, a interesting blend of sports/romance, but as the season progressed it became more and more evident that the romance section of the story completely outrumps the sport segment which at certain points feels like its just getting in the way of things. Dont get me wrong the sports scene faciilitate additional romance plots but overall I would prefer way more romance and consider this show more of a romance anime.

As of me writing this post, 2 episodes have already dropped which continue the tone and atmosphere from the past season, although the new opening feels less grand/epic than season 1. Nevertheless I am excited to see what this season brings.

Aoi Ashi season 2

Speaking of sequels, the long awaited second season of Aoi Ashi is finally here! After 4 grueling years where we had to watch Blue Lock take the crown and sapce of relevant soccer/football anime, Aoi Ashi is finally here to reclaim the crown.

I cant even believe that is been so long since season 1 arrived and rocked our world. If you dont know, Aoi Ashi is a sports/coming of age sports anime about soccer/football player Aoi as he tries to fulfil his dreams of playing in Japan's premier footballing league, the J-league.

The show documents all the trials and tribulations Aoi goes through whilst navigating the hyper competitive world of youth football in Japan, whilst also growing as and learning. I wish the produciton committee invovled with this show released it during the world cup in the US. I think that would have brought a significant amount of eyeballs to the show. That's essentially what Blue Lock did and everytime Japan won or had a great moment there would be a ton of social media posts about how project Blue Lock is truly working(low key miss that era).