Netflix has unveiled its lineup of Japanese content coming to the platform in 2024. Here’s all of the exciting Japanese movies and TV shows you can look forward to watching on Netflix in 2024.
We’ve chosen not to include any anime titles in this preview, as we already have a separate and ongoing tracker for anime coming to Netflix in 2024.
If you’re interested in Korean titles, we’re also keeping track of all of the K-Dramas coming to Netflix in 2024.
As more titles are announced, the list will be expanded further throughout the year.
Japanese Television Shows Coming to Netflix in 2024
House of Ninjas (Season 1)
Episodes: 8
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller | Runtime: 45 Minutes
Cast: Kento Kaku, Yosuke Eguchi, Tae Kimura, Kengo Kora, Aju Makita
Netflix Release Date: February 15th, 2024
Picture: House of Ninjas – Netflix
Man from Reno director Dave Boyle directs his first Netflix original in House of Ninjas. Kento Kaku (Al Amok), lead actor and co-executive producer on the series, is also making his Netflix debut.
The logline for House of Ninjas has been sourced from Netflix;
“What if ninjas still walked among us? Years after retiring from their formidable ninja lives, a dysfunctional family is forced to dive back into the shadowy world of secret missions to combat a series of emerging threats.”
Tokyo Swindlers (Season 1)
Episodes: TBA
Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller | Runtime: TBA
Cast: Go Ayano, Etsushi Toyokawa
Netflix Release Date: 2024
Picture: Tokyo Swindlers – Netflix
Hitoshi Ône, the live-action Bakuman series director, will mark his Netflix directorial debut in Tokyo Swindlers. The series stars Ayano Go, who was recently seen in the live-action adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho.
The logline for Tokyo Swindlers has been sourced from Netflix;
“Based on Ko Shinjo’s captivating novel, Tokyo Swindlers brings to life a high-stakes game of real estate deception. Directed by the versatile Hitoshi One, who has been eagerly anticipating this project, this thrilling crime drama series stars Go Ayano and Etsushi Toyokawa. The story unveils a series of unprecedented crimes committed by a cunning group of land scammers who use real estate sales as bait to steal large sums of money.”
The Queen of Villains (Season 1)
Episodes: TBA
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport | Runtime: TBA
Cast: Yuriyan Retriever, Erika Karata, Ayame Gôriki
Netflix Release Date: 2024
Picture: The Queen of Villains – Netflix
Dump Matsumoto, one of the most infamous Japanese heels in wrestling, is receiving a biographical drama series on Netflix. Fans of GLOW, and wrestling fans in general, should be binge-watching The Queen of Villains on its release later this year.
The logline for The Queen of Villains has been sourced from Netflix;
“The Queen of Villains unveils the untold story of Dump Matsumoto, a professional wrestler who ignited a boom in women’s wrestling in the 1980s with her cult-like following. Unlike the iconic “Crush Gals” duo, Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka, Matsumoto made her mark as the most famous heel. Dominating television screens, they became a cultural phenomenon, captivating Japan.”
Beyond Goodbye (Season 1)
Episodes: TBA
Genre: Drama, Romance | Runtime: TBA
Cast: Arimura Kasumi, Sakaguchi Kentaro
Netflix Release Date: 2024
Picture: Beyond Goodbye – Netflix
Actress Arimura Kasumi was recently seen on Netflix in the popular Japanese drama Call Me Chihiro. Meanwhile, Sakaguchi Kentaro can be caught on Hell Dogs. We expect Beyond Goodbye to be popular amongst J-Drama fans, and K-drama fans should also be giving the upcoming series a shot.
The logline for Beyond Goodbye has been sourced from Netflix;
“The story portrays the poignant miracle of two lives intertwined by fate: a woman mourning her fiancé lost in a tragic accident and the man who was saved by her late fiancé’s heart. A grief-stricken Saeko meets Naruse, a man who strangely reminds her of Yusuke, her fiancé who died in a traffic accident on the very day he proposed to her. Little did she know that Naruse received Yusuke’s heart. Featuring Kasumi Arimura and Kentaro Sakaguchi, this original series is written by Yoshikazu Okada known for his human drama works among the Japanese audience.”
Love Deadline (Season 1)
Episodes: 10
Genre: Reality, Romance | Runtime: 42 Minutes
Hosted By: Shibata Hidetsugu, Ikeda Miyu
Netflix Release Date: January 23rd – February 13th
Picture: Love Deadline – Netflix
Reality dating shows are enormous worldwide, and Netflix has found incredible success in its dating series Too Hot to Handle, Love Is Blind, and Singles Inferno. There’s no reason why Love Deadline can’t be a viral sensation, either.
The logline for Love Deadline has been sourced from Netflix;
“Personality. Looks. Income. Is he the one? Or will a better one come along? In this new reality show from Japan, singles in search of life partners travel to dreamy destinations, from idyllic Okinawa to historic Kyoto. The five women must choose their fate with a man who could be eliminated at any moment. With time running out and only one chance at proposing, it’s up to her to choose her happily ever after. Can she make the decision of a lifetime on a random deadline?”
Love Village (Season 2)
Episodes: 18
Genre: Reality, Romance | Runtime: 30 Minutes
Hosted By: Becky, Tamura Atsushi
Netflix Release Date: 2024
Picture: Love Village – Netflix
Love Village is returning for a second season!
The logline for Love Village has been sourced from Netflix:
“Following a successful first season that remained in Netflix Japan’s Top 10 for six weeks upon release, Love Village returns for Season 2. Eight singles aged 35 to 60 move to a house in a rural village. In this tranquil and idyllic setting, away from the realities of the world, they live together in search of love. The goal is for participants to find everlasting love by showing their real selves — tears, laughter and quarrels included. Will they leave the village with new romantic partners?”
Last One Standing (Season 3)
Episodes: 8
Genre: Comedy, Reality, Thriller | Runtime: 36 Minutes
Hosted By: Daigo, Nobu
Netflix Release Date: 2024
One of the wildest unscripted shows on Netflix is returning for a third season.
The logline for Last One Standing has been sourced from Netflix:
“Hosted by Chidori, Last One Standing is a unique show that features comedians sharing their personal stories, with the catch that if they’re not funny, they’re immediately eliminated. This sharp-edged rule, leading to a constant stream of hilarious episodes, has won the show a wide fanbase. The show also features a dramatic segment where comedians undertake challenges alongside accomplished actors. Season 2 swept Japan off its feet, introducing new challengers in a world-altering incident set in a large hospital and a mysterious organization rife with conspiracies, staking their survival on their ability to entertain. The show made headlines by topping Netflix’s “Today’s TV Program Top 10″ the day after its release and debuting at number 2 in Netflix Japan’s Top 10.”
Japanese Movies Coming to Netflix in 2024
The Parades (2024)
Director: Fujii Michihito
Genre: Drama | Runtime: 132 Minutes
Cast: Nagasawa Masami, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Yokohama Ryusei, Mori Nana, Tanaka Tetsushi
Netflix Release Date: February 29th, 2024
Ready the tissues, The Parades is rumored to be a real tear-jerker and ready to leave subscribers in a puddle of their own tears.
The logline for The Parades has been sourced from Netflix:
“The Parades is the latest film from acclaimed director Michihito Fujii. The story follows Minako (Masami Nagasawa), who wakes up on a desolate beach and soon realizes she’s passed away. Alongside an eclectic group of fellow spirits, she participates in a monthly “Parade,” a gathering where the departed seek to reconnect with the living, all while navigating this surreal existence. This poignant story explores the emotions of the departed towards the loved ones they’ve left behind”
City Hunter (2024)
Director: Sato Yuichi
Genre: Action Comedy, Drama | Runtime: TBA
Cast: Suzuki Ryohei, Morita Misato
Netflix Release Date: April 25th, 2024*
Adapted from the manga of the same name from Hojo Tsukasa, it’s only taken five adaptations from outside Japan before Sato Yuichi could finally get their hands on it for Netflix.
The logline for City Hunter has been sourced from Netflix:
““City Hunter”, the legendary manga that captivated Japan and sold over 50 million copies, gets its eagerly awaited Japanese live-action adaptation. The story follows Ryo Saeba, portrayed by Ryohei Suzuki, a premier “sweeper” navigating the gritty underbelly of modern-day Shinjuku, Tokyo. Balancing a cool demeanor with a fun personality, Ryo tackles high-stakes challenges in the underworld. Misato Morita steps into the role of the heroine, Kaori Makimura, in this action-packed adventure.”
Drawing Closer (2024)
Director: Miki Takahiro
Genre: Drama, Romance | Runtime: TBA
Cast: Nagase Ren, Deguchi Natsuki
Netflix Release Date: 2024
Another drama ready to make audiences cry, it’s hard not to see how Drawing Closer can’t be a hit for Netflix.
The logline for Drawing Closer has been sourced from Netflix:
“This live-action film is based on a best-selling novel which has been lauded on social media as a “moving and tear-jerking” love story. It follows two individuals living on borrowed time, as they strive to leave meaningful imprints of their existence. Diagnosed with a terminal heart disease, Akito faces the harsh reality of his limited time. Amidst his despair, he meets Haruna, who, despite living with a terminal illness herself, displays an unflinching courage towards death. As Akito, concealing his own illness, grows increasingly intrigued by Haruna, he grapples with a poignant question: Can he fall in love, knowing their time together is fleeting?”
What Japanese movies and TV shows are you excited to watch on Netflix in 2024? Let us know in the comments below!
