Netflix announced a diverse slate of anime shows, right from riveting fantasy adventures to heartwarming slice-of-life dramas, at the Anime Japan 2024 event held in Tokyo on Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know about the anime series and films slated to release on the streamer from April onwards.
The Grimm Variations
A retelling of the Grimm’s Fairy Tales, the series revolves around brothers Jacob and Wilhelm who collected fairy tales from all over the world and compiled them into a book. One day, during a narration of their fairy tales to their sister Charlotte, the little girl asks them with a melancholic expression on her face, “Do you suppose they really lived happily ever after?”. The Grimm Variations, animated by WIT Studio, presents original fairy tales from the perspective of Charlotte, whose take on the stories is different from her brothers.
Release date: April 17
T・P BON
Ordinary student Bon encounters Time Patrol members Ream and Buyoyon, who have the power to bring people back to life without changing the timeline. Even though people coming across the duo get their memories erased, Bon completely retains his memory after meeting them and becomes a trainee. Partnering with Ream, they use futuristic tools like the “time boat” to complete missions. Bon's enthusiasm sometimes leads him astray, but he positively impacts individuals across different time periods. The anime is an adaptation of Doraemon writer Fujiko F. Fujio’s manga.
Release date: Season 1 to start streaming from May 2 and Season 2 from July 17
Rising Impact
Created by The Seven Deadly Sins writer Nakaba Suzuki, Rising Impact follows the story of third-grader Nanaumi Gawain, who dreams of becoming the best baseball hitter in the world. However, after coming across a female professional golfer named Kiria Nishino, he takes an interest in golf. He hits the ball over 300 yards on his first play, which makes him want to pursue a career in the sport. Kiria helps him enrol at Camelot Academy, a world-famous school for junior golfers in Tokyo. Now he must compete against rival players from all over the world.
Release date: Season 1 to start streaming from June 22 and Season 2 from August 6
From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke Season 3
In the last instalment of the romance anime, Sawako confessed her love to Kazehaya and they embarked on a romantic journey, navigating its joys and embarrassments amidst their friends’ budding relationships. Although awkwardness prevailed in the initial phase of their relationship, they explored the complexities of adolescent emotions, ultimately understanding the nuances of love and friendship. The third season is expected to show the brewing romance between the couple and focus on the supporting characters as well.
Release date has not been announced yet
Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura
This upcoming anime film is a highly-anticipated crossover between two martial arts fighters, Baki Hanma and Kengan Ashura, from the popular shows named after the characters. Baki Hanma revolves around the epic clashes between Baki, the youngest underground fighting champion, and his father Yujiro Hanma, the “strongest creature in the world”. Kengan Ashura follows Tokita Ohma as he competes in brutal underground battles representing powerful corporations, aiming to become the ultimate fighter.
Release date: June 6
BEASTARS Final Season
Beastars is set in a world where carnivores and herbivores coexist. The final season of the series will show Legoshi, a grey wolf who is a high-school student, dropping out of school and living in the back-alley market after a rogue beast devours his classmate. The number of killings in the city is on the rise, even as Louis and Haru carry on with their daily lives.
Release date has not been announced yet.
Ultraman: Rising
When Tokyo faces a surge in monster attacks, baseball sensation Ken Sato hesitantly takes on the role of Ultraman to defend his city. However, his superhero duties become daunting as he confronts a formidable challenge — babysitting a 35-foot-tall infant kaiju with fiery breath.
Release date: June 14
My Oni Girl
Directed by Studio Ghibli member Tomotaka Shibayama, this teen fantasy film tells the story of a first-year high school student Hiiragi Yatsuse, who struggles to make friends despite his people-pleasing nature. Things soon take a turn when he meets Tsumugi, an oni (demon) girl who takes him along on a quest to search for her mother in the human world.
Release date: May 24
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance
Set in the distant future, the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon engage in war after the latter declares independence. Even though the Zeons have the upper hand because of a revolutionary weapon called Mobile Suits, neither side gains full control, leading to a stalemate. What follows is an 11-month-long war, with the Earth Federation managing to take over a Zeon base and a Mobile Suit platoon arriving from space.
Release date has not been announced yet.
