New Pokémon Release Can’t Save Netflix From Losing the Anime Streaming War This January

by

Crunchyroll is expected to dominate anime streaming by January, but things are looking up for anime fans, with improvements planned for the rest of 2026.

According to What’s on Netflix, Netflix will be adding only three new anime series in January 2026. These are Pokémon Horizons: Season 3 — Rising Hope, the teen romance Love Through a Prism, and Cosmic Princess Kaguya!, which is a fresh, modern retelling of the traditional Japanese story, “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.”

Netflix Loses Out to Crunchyroll in January 2026 Anime Lineup

Fans are excited about the upcoming releases, but they don’t compare to the huge number of new anime series and films Crunchyroll plans to add through 2026 – they typically release over 40 titles each season. Netflix hasn’t tried to match Crunchyroll, the biggest anime streaming service, in terms of sheer volume. However, this feels like a setback for Netflix, considering their recent efforts to create more original anime content.

Netflix is planning to add more anime titles, starting in April 2026. In May, the second season of Devil May Cry will be released, and fans can also expect the long-awaited second season of Dorohedoro, which has been in development for over six years.

In 2026, fans can look forward to the final season of Beastars arriving on Netflix, along with new seasons of Blue Box, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, The Summer Hikaru Died, and Sakomoto Days. Plus, a third season of another popular show is also planned.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Remains Netflix’s Most Anticipated Confirmed Anime of 2026

The seventh major story arc in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise, Steel Ball Run, is highly anticipated by fans. It’s a new, fantastical story set in the 19th century, following Johnny Joestar and the enigmatic outlaw Gyro Zeppeli as they race across the country seeking something more meaningful than just winning.

Netflix had a difficult 2025 with some issues surrounding its anime releases, but the upcoming 2026 lineup offers a promising sign of improvement. One example of the previous struggles was the limited promotion given to a new series from WIT Studio in April. The producer, Kawamura, publicly pleaded with Netflix on social media to better promote the show, stating, “I can’t do it on my own! Please help! It’s still hidden, Red N Company!! It’s time to show what you can do!”

Last November, many Netflix viewers were disappointed with newly added, HD remastered episodes of a popular series. Despite being promoted as a major improvement, fans quickly noticed the episodes seemed to have been upscaled with artificial intelligence in a way that looked unnatural, and portions of the image were cut off, changing the original widescreen format.

Read More

2025-12-17 20:37