[2026] List of Netflix Japan Original Dramas and Movies: A Complete Guide to Synopses and Cast

Every year, Netflix’s Japanese original productions deliver hit titles. With bold scenarios that can’t be aired on terrestrial TV and unexpected cast combinations, these works have become essential content in the entertainment world.

In 2026, there’s a lineup of highly anticipated titles, including “Gas Human” starring Shun Oguri, “Soulmate” featuring Hayato Isomura and Ok Taec-yeon, and the live-action adaptation of the popular manga “Kokumin Quiz.”

This article introduces the synopses, cast, and highlights of Netflix Japan original dramas and movies set for release in 2026. Be sure to find a title that catches your interest!

*If you purchase or reserve products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.

Netflix Japan Original Dramas and Movies: A Lineup of Must-See Titles in 2026!

Every year, Netflix releases a variety of noteworthy titles, sometimes even sparking social phenomena. From 2026, Netflix’s production base in Japan will be expanded, making it possible to film more than twice as many works as before. This year is sure to bring even more buzzworthy titles.

Where Can You Watch Netflix Japan Originals? Streaming Times Explained

Netflix original productions are available exclusively on Netflix. Most Netflix original movies and dramas are generally released worldwide at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

[List] Dramas and Movies Streaming in 2026

Netflix Film “This is I” (Human Drama): starring Haruki Mochizuki, Takumi Saito

Kenji (Haruki Mochizuki), who experiences gender dysphoria, dreams of becoming an idol but struggles daily with being true to himself and the judgment of those around him. His fate changes when he meets Wada (Takumi Saito), a doctor who carries emotional scars of his own.

Main Cast

Haruki Mochizuki, Takumi Saito, Tae Kimura, Kaito Yoshimura, MEGUMI, Shido Nakamura

Release Date

Exclusive Streaming Now

👀 Highlights

This film is inspired by Haruna Ai, a talent and singer. It depicts her struggles and determination on the path to becoming a beloved TV personality as “Air Ayaya.” Netflix Film “This is I” (Human Drama): starring Haruki Mochizuki, Takumi Saito

👉 Related Article: MEGUMI Hosts “Love Joto” Season 1 – Synopsis & Notable Quotes

Netflix Film “My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend” (Romantic Comedy): Mei Nagano

Seven years after their breakup, his first love has become a feminist!? After a certain incident, “she” (Mei Nagano), who is both maddening and lovable, embraces feminism. The story depicts her reunion with him, as well as the struggles and realities of their romance that follow.

Main Cast

Mei Nagano

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming in 2026

👀 Highlights

This work marks Mei Nagano’s “comeback.” In the released scene photos, she has cut her long hair short, giving her a slightly boyish look. The theme is “feminist” (someone who recognizes women’s rights and advocates for gender equality and diversity), a word we hear more often these days. It will be interesting to see how the film tackles this topic in society.

Original Work

The original work is a novel of the same name by Korean author Min Ji-hyun. The impactful title and the story, which depicts the reality of people living today, have attracted a great response.

📖Find the original novel “My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend” on Yahoo! Shopping

Netflix Film “One Year Left to Live, I Buy a Man” (Romance / Human Drama): Kou Shibasaki, Eiji Akaso

Yui Katakura (Kou Shibasaki), a 40-year-old who has avoided romance, marriage, and childbirth as “not worth the cost,” and whose hobby is saving money, is told she has only one year to live after undergoing a free cancer screening. Then, Sena (Eiji Akaso), a host with a complicated past, appears, and Yui ends up “buying” Sena for 720,000 yen.

Main Cast

Kou Shibasaki, Eiji Akaso

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming in 2026

👀 Highlights

This film stands out from previous “terminal illness” stories with its innovative plot. The director is Taiki Kazama, known for “silent” and “Umi no Hajimari,” and the script is by Yoshikazu Okada, known for “Sayonara no Tsuzuki” and “Yomei 10-nen.” Both are known for their delicate storytelling, so their talents are highly anticipated.

👉 Related Article: Eiji Akaso stars! Introducing all episodes and highlights of “Kimbap to Onigiri”!

Original Work

The original work is a novel of the same name by author Toriko Yoshikawa. It is a popular work that has won major Japanese literary awards, including the Booksellers Award.

📖Find the original novel “One Year Left to Live, I Buy a Man” on Yahoo! Shopping

Netflix Series “Kujo no Taizai” (Sins of Kujo) (Legal Suspense): Yuya Yagira, Hokuto Matsumura

Takato Kujo (Yuya Yagira) is a lawyer who only takes on troublesome clients living in the shadows of society, such as "semi-gangsters, yakuza, and ex-convicts." Although he is labeled a corrupt lawyer by the public, he uses the power of the law as his weapon to defend his clients—even if they are morally unforgivable villains. What, then, is Kujo’s sense of justice?

Main Cast

Yuya Yagira, Hokuto Matsumura, Elaiza Ikeda, Keita Machida, Takuma Otoo, Muro Tsuyoshi

👉Related Article: Keita Machida Stars! Introducing the Story and Highlights of "10DANCE"

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming from April 2

👀 Highlights

The original work is the latest series by Shohei Manabe, the creator of the mega-hit manga "Ushijima the Loan Shark." With Yuya Yagira, who has appeared in many dark-themed works, taking the lead role, this series is sure to become a major talking point. The chemistry between him and Hokuto Matsumura, who has established himself as a talented actor through "First Kiss 1ST KISS" and "5 Centimeters per Second," is also something to look forward to.

Original Manga

This series is currently being serialized in "Big Comic Spirits." It’s also recommended to enjoy the differences between the original and the adaptation, and to see how the story will end.

📖Find the original manga "Sin of Kujo" on Yahoo! Shopping

Netflix Series "Straight to Hell" (Human Drama): Erika Toda, Sairi Ito

This film depicts the life of Kazuko Hosoki, the fortune teller who took Japan by storm with her Rokusei astrology and the powerful phrases "Daisakkai" and "Straight to Hell!" Vividly portraying 60 years of Japanese scenery from the Showa to Heisei eras, the film unfolds a dramatic story of one woman's fierce battles and desire-filled schemes, where truth and deception intertwine.

Main Cast

Erika Toda, Sairi Ito, Toko Miura, Ayumu Nakajima, Miwako Ichikawa, Toma Ikuta

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming from April 27

👀 Highlights

This is likely the only work where you can get a glimpse into the mysterious life of fortune teller Kazuko Hosoki. How will Erika Toda portray Hosoki, and how realistically will the film depict her turbulent life? This is a must-see for fans of fortune-telling and gossip alike.

Netflix Series "Soulmate" (Human Drama): Hayato Isomura, Ok Taec-yeon

After unintentionally ruining his best friend’s life, Ryu Narutaki (Hayato Isomura) abandons everything and leaves Japan. On the verge of death in a church in a foreign country, he is saved by a Korean boxer, Hwang Yo-han (Ok Taec-yeon). The more they wish to live together, the more cruelly their fates become intertwined.

Main Cast

Hayato Isomura, Ok Taec-yeon

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming from May 14

👀 Highlights

This is a story of love and soul, brought to life by a Japanese and Korean cast. How will "love" that transcends nationality and past wounds be depicted? The story is set in three cities—Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo—so viewers can also look forward to the unique scenery and atmosphere of each location.

Netflix Series "Kenka Dokugaku" (Youth / Action): Oji Suzuka, Ai Mikami

Kota Shimura (Oji Suzuka) is a high school student at the very bottom of the school hierarchy. However, after a sudden "fight" with a classmate is live-streamed worldwide, his life takes a dramatic turn. With a refreshing storyline and a passionate cast, this is a brand-new youth entertainment series.

Main Cast

Oji Suzuka, Ai Miura, Arata Sugo

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming from May 28

👀 Highlights

Oji Suzuka, Ai Miura, and Arata Sugo—some of the hottest young actors right now—come together in this series. While the theme of "school × fighting" might bring to mind typical delinquent stories, this work weaves in elements of social hierarchy, social media, and even business, promising a completely new kind of school drama.

Original Work

The original work is a Korean webtoon (vertical comic) by Park Tae-jun and Kim Jung-hyun. In Japan, the manga is published by Shueisha.

📖Find the original manga "Kenka Dokugaku" on Yahoo! Shopping

Netflix Series "Human Vapor" (Sci-Fi / Suspense): Shun Oguri, Yu Aoi

An unprecedented murder occurs at a TV station during a live broadcast, where a person suddenly explodes to death. The culprit is a human who has turned into gas—a "Human Vapor." As the Human Vapor moves freely in gaseous form, no one can seem to uncover their true identity. An unprecedented murder occurs at a TV station during a live broadcast, where a person suddenly explodes to death.

Main Cast

Shun Oguri, Yu Aoi, Suzu Hirose, Kento Hayashi, Yutaka Takenouchi

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming in 2026

👀 Highlights

Top creators from Japan and Korea have teamed up, and powerhouse actors like Shun Oguri, Yu Aoi, and Suzu Hirose come together in this film. The concept of a "Gas Human" is catchy, and the mystery surrounding their identity is sure to spark plenty of theories!

Netflix Series "S to X" (Romance / Human Drama): Kento Nakajima

The protagonist is sex therapist Kazuto Shimotori (Kento Nakajima). At the "Shimotori Clinic" where he works, a wide range of serious sexual concerns are brought in daily, including sexless relationships, ED, infidelity, sexual trauma, and menopausal issues. This human love story offers a chance to reflect on relationships and oneself, and to face what it means to love.

Main Cast

Kento Nakajima

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming in 2026

👀 Highlights

This is a bold work in which current idol Kento Nakajima takes on the challenging role of exploring "sexuality." As an actor who has steadily honed his craft, there is a sense of trust that he will portray the role with meticulous care. This could become an important work that reveals a new side of Nakajima.

Original Work

The original manga, "S to X: Therapist Ichito Shimotori's Confession," was serialized in the magazine "Evening." Its sequel, "S to X: Therapist Ichito Shimotori's Consultation Room," is currently being serialized to great acclaim on the web manga site "Morning Two."

📖Find the original manga "S to X: Therapist Ichito Shimotori's Confession" on Yahoo! Shopping

Netflix Series "Downtime" (Medical/Human Drama): Mayu Matsuoka, Riisa Naka

Fumi Numata (Mayu Matsuoka), who has always believed in "saving lives" with her genius surgical skills, is forced to shift her career from a reconstructive plastic surgeon to a cosmetic surgeon. She finds herself at odds with charismatic cosmetic surgeon Rin Toyama (Riisa Naka), who is devoted to "saving people through beauty." The series depicts the hopes, struggles, and difficulties of people pursuing beauty, all woven into an entertaining drama.

Main Cast

Mayu Matsuoka, Riisa Naka

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming in 2026

👀 Highlights

Cosmetic surgery has become so widespread that the term "seikei joshi" (women who undergo cosmetic surgery) has entered the lexicon. While there are works that portray women who undergo or want to undergo surgery, it's quite refreshing to see a story from the perspective of the surgeons themselves. This series promises a new look into the world of cosmetic surgery from a different angle.

Netflix Series "Did You Say Something About Me?" (Human Comedy): Koji Yakusho

Gen Takasegawa (Koji Yakusho), who achieved the honor of being the first Japanese actor to play the lead at London's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, is unable to return to Japan for a certain reason and finally returns home after two years. However, he suddenly finds himself completely forgotten by the world. This human comedy follows a man overflowing with a need for recognition as he tries to restart his life after being forcibly reset.

Main Cast

Koji Yakusho

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming in 2026

👀 Highlights

The combination of Koji Yakusho and Kankuro Kudo promises a highly anticipated human comedy. Fans can look forward to seeing a playful side of Yakusho, different from his intense performances in "The Blood of Wolves" or his unique presence in "PERFECT DAYS."

Netflix Series "National Quiz" (Suspense): Takayuki Yamada

The story is set in a parallel world Japan. "National Quiz" is a quiz show that serves as the highest organ of state power as stipulated by the Japanese Constitution, where any wish can be granted by the government if you win. The host, Kii Kichi, whips the public into a frenzy with his outstanding performance skills.

Main Cast

Takayuki Yamada

Release Date

Worldwide exclusive streaming in 2026

👀 Highlights

The original manga of the same name enjoys cult popularity. With the live-action adaptation, fans are eagerly anticipating the result, but with Takayuki Yamada, a regular in live-action films, you can expect a perfect performance. Whether you're familiar with the original or not, audiences of all ages are sure to enjoy it.

Original Work

The original work is based on the manga of the same name by Reiichi Sugimoto and Shinkichi Kato. It had become difficult to obtain, but due to popular demand from fans, it has been reprinted.

📖Search for the original manga "National Quiz" on Yahoo! Shopping

Netflix Japan Originals You Can’t Miss in 2026

In this article, we introduced the synopses, cast, and highlights of Netflix Japan original dramas and movies scheduled for release in 2026. All of these works are highly anticipated and are sure to generate a lot of buzz. It could be fun to visit filming locations while traveling in Japan or try the foods featured in the shows to experience their worlds firsthand. Be sure to check out any titles that catch your interest!