[2026] Must-See! Recommended Netflix Original Anime

Cyberpunk: EdgerunnersNEW!

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 KaoruNEW!

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.

LeviathanNEW!

Leviathan | Official Teaser | Netflix

Leviathan, an anime released in 2025 as a Netflix Original.

It’s an adventure fantasy set on the eve of a fictional world war where machine civilization and biotechnology are at odds.

The story follows Prince Alec, on the run, and Sharp, a flight soldier concealing his identity, who meet inside a giant flying bio-ship and are drawn into a journey that will shake the world.

The series gained attention for its meticulously crafted CG animation.

One of its major attractions is the star-studded creative team: the music is by Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi, with the theme by Joe Hisaishi.

Combined with fresh, vibrant performances by Ayumu Murase and Natsumi Fujiwara, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the protagonists as they face their harsh fates.

If you love epic stories, this is a must-watch.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Restart ArcNEW!

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!

Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem of VengeanceNEW!

Official Japanese Trailer: Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance — Netflix Exclusive Streaming Starts Thu 10/17

Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem of Vengeance, released exclusively on Netflix in 2024, is a tense six-episode survival chronicle.

Set on the European front in the final days of the One Year War, its standout feature is that the story unfolds from the perspective of Zeon frontline soldiers rather than the Federation.

The Gundam that appears before the unit led by Captain Ilya Solari stands as an overwhelming terror—the “White Devil.” The hyper-realistic battlefield depiction powered by Unreal Engine 5, created by Erasmus Brosdau and his team, brings a visceral quality unlike previous entries.

Its gritty, suffocating ground battles will keep your eyes glued to the screen.

It’s a work you absolutely shouldn’t miss.