When it comes to subscription, anime streaming services—it sure seems like it’s a Crunchyroll world, and we’re all just living in it, but subscription streaming powerhouse Netflix doesn’t seem remotely ready to concede anime dominance to Hulu or Crunchyroll just yet. Netflix is pulling no punches when it comes to Japanese cartoons, as they unloaded a monster haul of announcements and renewals at this year’s Anime Expo Los Angeles. Let’s get into it!
First, let’s get into the brand new original series that Netflix is getting ready to launch. An old legend gets a fresh take in Ultraman, produced by I.G. Sola Digital and directed by Kenji Kamiyama and Shinji Aramaki, an action drama that vibrates strong in the frequency of 90’s nostalgia.
Kengan Ashura is the next Netflix original that was announced on day one of Fanime, bringing the cutthroat world of corporate brutality into the realm of literal brutality. Corporate entities sponsor gladiators to compete against one another in “Kengan Matches: to protect the corporate rights of the businesses they represent.” It may not be the most subtle of metaphors, but with the direction of Seiji Kishi (Assassination Classroom) and the writing of Makoto Uezu, it certainly looks like an entertaining ride.
Speaking of 90’s nostalgia, that terror of Tokyo, that wizard of a lizard, Godzilla is back for more in Netflix’s follow-up to GODZILLA: Planet of Monsters, GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle brings Gen Urobuchi’s vision of “the biggest Godzilla ever seen in an interplanetary struggle for survival.” Polygon Pictures and TOHO are bringing this beast to the streets on July 18 2018.
Another highly anticipated second season will follow GODZILLA onto Netflix, Castlevania will make it rain blood on October 26th, just in time for Halloween. Godzilla and Dracula make for a tough team to bet against.
Also just announced for a second season, Netflix’s breakout hit about a death metal singing panda, Aggretsuko is coming back for more face-melting and riff shredding. Derived from fanworks and featuring a character originally created by Sanrio (Hello Kitty), the second season of Aggretsuko looks to continue straddling the line between adorable and horrible. Vent that rage, little panda, vent.
Also coming in the fall, the new title Dragon Pilot will be streaming into your home on September 21, 2018. Cannon Busters, yet another new Netflix anime title, will be hitting the airwaves on April 1, 2019.
It looks like the battle for anime streaming supremacy is far from over, and one thing is clear. Netflix isn’t pulling any punches.
Check out Netflix's pages for more info on these titles as they develop: www.netflix.com/ultraman , www.netflix.com/kengan-ashu
