anime enthusiasts worldwide eagerly awaited the buzz from Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles, and netflix certainly delivered, pulling back the curtain on an impressive slate of upcoming animated series and feature films. The streaming giant showcased a vibrant mix of returning fan favorites, highly anticipated adaptations, and exciting new original stories set to debut throughout 2025 and into 2026. From dark fantasy thrillers to charming stop-motion adventures, Netflix’s presence at the major industry event underscored its continued commitment to the diverse and ever-growing world of anime.
The Big Reveals: Netflix’s 2025 Anime Slate
Netflix captivated attendees with sneak peeks and premiere date announcements for a wide range of titles. The streamer highlighted content originating from popular manga and novels alongside brand-new concepts, signaling a robust strategy to appeal to varied tastes within the anime community.
Key Series Premiering Soon
Several exciting series are set to hit the platform starting in July 2025. Fans are particularly anticipating Dan Da Dan Season 2, which continues the supernatural mystery as Momo, Okarun, and Turbo Granny explore eerie secrets in a strange hot spring town. New episodes began streaming weekly right after the announcement.
Another series making waves is The Summer Hikaru Died, an adaptation of Mokumokuren’s haunting comic. Directed by Ryohei Takeshita, this rural mystery follows best friends Yoshiki and Hikaru. Their inseparable bond shatters after Hikaru returns from the mountains fundamentally altered, with something else inhabiting his body and memories. This series premiered on July 5, with weekly episodes following.
Adding to the July lineup is Sakamoto Days Season 1, Part 2. Directed by Masaki Watanabe, this adaptation of Yuto Suzuki’s Shonen manga centers on Taro Sakamoto, a legendary hitman who left the life for love. When his violent past resurfaces, he must fight to protect his family. Part 2 launched on July 14, also airing weekly.
For fans of adorable characters and whimsical adventures, My Melody & Kuromi arrives on July 24. This stop-motion animation series, directed by Tomoki Misato, brings the beloved Sanrio characters to life. The show celebrates significant anniversaries for both My Melody (50th) and Kuromi (20th), taking viewers on a delightful journey through their home, Mariland.
Come September, the romantic drama The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity makes its debut on September 7. Based on Saka Mikami’s manga and directed by Miyuki Kuroki, the story navigates the rivalry between two high schools. It follows Rintaro Tsumugi, a Chidori High student with a tough exterior but a gentle spirit. His life changes when he meets Kaoruko Waguri from the prestigious Kikyo Girls’ High, only to discover she attends his rival school.
Anticipated Late 2025 Releases
Looking towards the end of the year, Record of Ragnarok Season 3 promises continued epic battles. Directed by Koichi Hatsumi and based on the popular comic series, this season dives into the pivotal seventh battle between gods and humans. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance as intense one-on-one fights rage on. Season 3 is scheduled to premiere in December 2025.
Standalone Film and Returning Favorites
Netflix also teased a unique animated feature and the return of two highly anticipated series. Leviathan, a feature film directed by Christophe Ferreira, is set in 1914. Based on Scott Westerfeld’s illustrated novel, it tells the story of a fugitive prince and a girl in disguise who meet aboard a bioengineered airship, the HMS Leviathan, influencing the course of history. This film is set to premiere on July 10.
Meanwhile, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 was announced as “Coming Soon.” This stand-alone, 10-episode story returns to the vibrant, violent world of Cyberpunk 2077. It promises a raw narrative exploring themes of redemption and revenge, posing the question of how much one must sacrifice to make their story matter in a city blinded by spectacle.
Finally, the highly anticipated conclusion to the critically acclaimed series arrives with Beastars: Final Season, Part 2. Directed by Shinichi Matsumi, this part wraps up the complex narrative centered around Legoshi, Louis, and Haru. The story follows Legoshi adjusting to life post-academy, Louis confronting his past, and introduces the pursuit of the dangerous criminal Melon, whose path intertwines with Legoshi’s through a family secret. This final installment is slated for release in 2026.
Dive Deeper: What to Expect
Netflix’s Anime Expo showcase demonstrates a strategic focus on delivering diverse animation experiences. The lineup features adaptations of popular manga spanning various genres, from the shonen action of Sakamoto Days and Record of Ragnarok to the supernatural horror of Dan Da Dan and The Summer Hikaru Died, plus the unique world of Beastars and the heartwarming romance of The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity. The inclusion of a stop-motion series like My Melody & Kuromi highlights Netflix’s interest in exploring different animation styles and target demographics, expanding beyond typical action-adventure fare. The return to the Cyberpunk 2077 universe with a new standalone story also signals continued investment in successful original IP derived from gaming. This blend of returning hits and fresh adaptations positions Netflix as a major force in the global anime distribution landscape.
Beyond Netflix: Other Anime Expo Highlights
Anime Expo 2025 wasn’t solely about Netflix; the event buzzed with announcements from across the industry. VIZ Media, for instance, shared significant news regarding popular franchises. They confirmed the next part of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, titled The Calamity, will air in 2026. VIZ also offered first looks and cast announcements for upcoming anime adaptations of Rooster Fighter (launching Spring 2026, featuring Mitsuaki Kanuka and Tomohiro Ohno) and Black Torch. The English dub cast and release schedule for Yaiba: Samurai Legend were revealed, with episodes hitting Netflix and Hulu starting August 15 (this year). The Western anime hit RWBY also announced expansion plans and confirmed Volume 10 is in production, with streaming available on Hulu.
Meanwhile, GKIDS announced it will bring three celebrated Mamoru Hosoda films back to theaters in stunning 4K restorations throughout 2025: Wolf Children (May 11-13), Summer Wars (July 27-29), and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (September 28-30). The animation world also saw news of a collaboration between Passion Paris and Amplitude Studios to develop an animated series based on the expansive “Endless” game universe. Furthermore, Netflix itself announced the voice cast for its Fall 2025 animated family feature In Your Dreams, featuring Cristin Milioti, Simu Liu, and Craig Robinson. These concurrent announcements paint a picture of a vibrant and expanding animation market with diverse content on the horizon.
Why This Matters for Anime Fans
The volume and variety of announcements coming from Netflix at Anime Expo 2025 are significant for the anime community. It signals strong investment from a major global platform, increasing accessibility for fans worldwide. The strategic timing at a key industry event like Anime Expo maximizes visibility and engagement. By securing adaptations of popular manga and greenlighting continuations of successful series, Netflix helps meet the demand for content fans are already passionate about. This continuous flow of high-quality, diverse anime content arriving on a widely accessible streaming service reinforces anime’s growing mainstream appeal and ensures there’s something for every type of fan to look forward to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the major anime announcements made at Anime Expo 2025?
Anime Expo 2025 featured significant announcements from various companies. Netflix revealed a robust lineup including new seasons for Dan Da Dan, Record of Ragnarok, and the final Beastars installment, plus new series like The Summer Hikaru Died, Sakamoto Days Part 2, My Melody & Kuromi, and The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, alongside the Leviathan film and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2. VIZ Media announced news for Bleach, Rooster Fighter, Yaiba, and Black Torch. GKIDS detailed theatrical re-releases for Mamoru Hosoda films.
When can fans expect the premiere dates for Netflix’s newly announced anime series?
Netflix provided specific premiere dates or windows for many titles announced at Anime Expo 2025. Dan Da Dan Season 2 and The Summer Hikaru Died started streaming weekly on July 5. Leviathan premieres July 10, Sakamoto Days Part 2 on July 14, and My Melody & Kuromi on July 24. The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity arrives September 7. Record of Ragnarok Season 3 is slated for December 2025. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is “Coming Soon,” and Beastars: Final Season, Part 2 is scheduled for 2026.
What types of anime content did Netflix highlight, including new series and returning shows?
Netflix’s presentation at Anime Expo 2025 showcased a broad spectrum of content. They announced continuations of popular returning series like Dan Da Dan, Record of Ragnarok, and Beastars. New series adaptations covered genres from supernatural horror (The Summer Hikaru Died) and shonen action (Sakamoto Days) to high school romance (The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity). They also highlighted a stop-motion series (My Melody & Kuromi), an animated feature film (Leviathan), and a standalone sequel (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2), demonstrating a commitment to diverse genres, formats, and source materials.
Conclusion
The flurry of activity from Netflix at Anime Expo 2025 paints a clear picture: the streamer is doubling down on its investment in anime. With a mix of returning blockbusters and compelling new series and films, the lineup through 2025 and 2026 promises something for every anime fan. As release dates draw closer, anticipation will only build for these exciting additions to Netflix’s already extensive anime catalog. The stage is set for another vibrant year of animation streaming.
