Knights of Sidonia – Picture: Netflix
Netflix Original anime series Knights of Sidonia had left Netflix in July 2019 but has now returned to Netflix in full as of December 2019. Here’s been the removal schedule so far, why it left in the first place and any details on a third season.
Knights of Sidonia is one of the countless anime picks up Netflix has made from Japan. In fact, it’s actually one of the earliest animes that Netflix acquired with season 1 coming to Netflix in 2014 with the second arriving in July 2015.
The series is about a hero rising up to save a world that’s under threat from aliens. It still ranks amongst the highest of the anime series clocking in at a 7.8 on IMDb.
When Knights of Sidonia seasons 1-2 left Netflix
Netflix saw both seasons 1 & 2 of Knights of Sidonia leaving at different points in 2019. Season 1 was removed from Netflix in February 2019 whereas season 2 was removed in July 2019 as listed on our list of July 2019 Netflix removals.
Removal date on Knights of Sidonia
Of course, this was originally newsworthy because the show is dubbed and sold as a Netflix Original.
We’re all used to seeing titles leaving Netflix at this point but not necessarily titles carrying the Netflix branding. Since Knights of Sidonia originally departed Netflix some of the British shows Netflix carried as Originals have also departed.
Why did Knights of Sidonia leave Netflix?
Of course, this isn’t a full Netflix Original which is a hard distinction to make. The series is just distributed by Netflix in regions outside of Japan.
In this instance, it was likely the choice of the distributor to lapse and find a new home for the series but given it’s now back on Netflix as of December 2019, that looks like Netflix wanted it back.
When we originally reached out to Netflix and Senai Film Works to try and find out more about the possible removal of the series from Netflix. Netflix responded with:
“Netflix partners with content providers to license streaming rights for a variety of TV shows and movies. Though we strive to keep the content you want to see, we acquire licensing rights for TV shows and movies for a certain period of time – not indefinitely.”
What about season 3 of Knights of Sidonia?
As we reported earlier in 2019, we were and still are expecting a third season to be made with that being commissioned back in 2017.
