[2026] Must-See! Recommended Netflix Original Anime

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners - Trailer – Netflix

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an anime that shares the world of a hit game and was met with worldwide acclaim immediately after its 2022 release.

The series, consisting of 10 episodes, was created through a collaboration between game developer CD PROJEKT RED and Japan’s leading animation studio TRIGGER.

Set in the dystopian megalopolis of Night City, where technology and cybernetic augmentation permeate everyday life, it portrays the harsh fate of David, the protagonist, and his companions as they step into the underworld as outlaws.

The vivid neon-drenched backdrops and a barrage of battle scenes bursting with raw emotion are utterly mesmerizing.

It’s a masterpiece of sci-fi action with overwhelming polish, driven by the struggles and bonds of its young characters.

Rilakkuma and Kaoru

Healing – A Fluffy Everyday Life with Rilakkuma | Rilakkuma and Kaoru | Netflix Japan

This stop-motion animation gently portrays the bittersweet yet tender everyday life of Kaoru, who works in Tokyo, and the Rilakkuma characters who somehow ended up living in her home.

It carefully draws out the worries and frustrations carried by hardworking adults, while the laid-back, free-spirited ways of Rilakkuma and friends will make your heart feel a little lighter.

Director Masahito Kobayashi’s insistence on a realistic miniature world and a warm story penned by Naoko Ogigami create a sense of comfort, as if you were right there in the room.

The theme song by Quruli and the music by Shigeru Kishida leave a slightly sentimental afterglow, gently accompanying you on a tired night.

It’s a wonderful work to watch when you want to give your striving heart a rest.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Restart Arc

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened – PV – Netflix

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened, released in 2019 as a Netflix original, is a slapstick high school comedy featuring the superpowered protagonist Kusuo Saiki and his outrageously eccentric friends.

Its biggest appeal is undoubtedly the lightning-fast banter and relentless stream of punchlines.

The rapid-fire delivery by the familiar cast of voice actors, led by Hiroshi Kamiya, is breathtaking, as a series of chuckle-worthy everyday mishaps unfolds one after another.

Moreover, this installment incorporates episodes that depict what happens to Kusuo after he loses his psychic powers, which is a major highlight.

It’s also recommended for those looking for a laid-back, slice-of-life anime that will make you laugh.

Definitely give it a try!

Devilman Crybaby

“DEVILMAN crybaby” digest video

You’ll be blown away by its extreme, dark world! Devilman Crybaby adapts Go Nagai’s classic manga into an anime with a modern sensibility.

It tells the story of Akira Fudo, a kindhearted high schooler who, guided by his best friend Ryo Asuka, plunges into a fierce battle with demons.

It’s a distinctive dark fantasy with stylish animation by director Masaaki Yuasa and Science SARU that looks incredibly cool.

The show weaves in rap—language from the streets—and its raw expression is utterly absorbing.

Kensuke Ushio’s score also heightens the ominous atmosphere to perfection.

You won’t be able to look away from the profound psychological portrayal that pierces to the core of human nature.

I recommend watching it deeply immersed with headphones on!

Grimm Suite

Grimm Suite | Official Trailer – Netflix

If there’s a work that boldly reimagines the universally known Grimm fairy tales and brims with an uncanny allure, it has to be Grimm Suite.

This six-episode anthology reexamines whether those familiar folk stories truly ended with “happily ever after.” Told from the perspective of the younger sister, Charlotte, the tales transform into psychological suspense that reflects human desire and contemporary anxieties.

Another highlight is the eerie yet beautiful world conceived by CLAMP, who provided the original character designs, as well as the richly crafted animation.

With a different director helming each episode, fresh surprises await.

The more you know the originals, the more these unexpected twists will upend your expectations—before you know it, even adults will be hooked!

Castlevania -Akumajō Dracula-

Anime series “Castlevania” Japanese-dubbed trailer

What I’m introducing this time is the anime Castlevania, based on the game that took the world by storm.

While it adapts Konami’s hugely popular action game, it has earned overwhelming acclaim as a weighty dark fantasy.

Dracula, who vows vengeance on humanity after losing his beloved wife; Trevor, the vampire hunter who rises to stop his rampage; the sorceress Sypha; and Dracula’s son Alucard.

It’s a story that can’t be reduced to simple good and evil, portraying in rich detail the losses and sorrows on both sides, drawing you in so much you’ll end up staying up late to keep watching.

The visuals—fusing the beauty of Gothic horror with spectacular, high-impact action—are not to be missed.

My Melody & Kuromi

My Melody & Kuromi Trailer – Netflix

My Melody & Kuromi, which streamed exclusively on Netflix in July 2025, is a stop-motion animated series starring Sanrio’s beloved characters My Melody and Kuromi.

With a powerhouse creative team including director Tomoki Misato and screenwriter Shuko Nemoto, it offers a profound story that goes far beyond simply cute everyday life.

Its careful psychological portrayals—of missed connections, jealousy, and the two leads growing as they face hardships—will draw you in more with each episode.

The warm, meticulously crafted art direction and film-like, dynamic visual expression are must-sees.

Be sure to also check out the theme song, a collaboration between LE SSERAFIM and Gen Hoshino.