World-leading streaming platform Netflix revealed more animation domination during the Anime Lineup Presentation event at Akiba Theatre in Tokyo, presenting some exciting highlights for the upcoming year. Monday’s announcements join Netflix’s ever-growing slate that has already captivated fans around the world with titles like Devilman Crybaby and B: The Beginning.
Over the course of 2019, viewers everywhere will be able to soak up even more anime content from some of the best creators in the word, and revisit some of the most beloved classics.
Rilakkuma and Kaoru [Global Launch: April 19, 2019]
When a woman in her thirties begins sharing her apartment with a soft toy bear that has decided to take up residence there, she finds that the secret to life is sometimes as simple as relaxing. One of the most popular characters in Japan comes to life in this stop-motion animation series.
Director: Masahito Kobayashi | Writer: Naoko Ogigami | Creative Advisor: Aki Kondo | Production Rights: San-X | Production Company: dwarf studios
Main Cast: Mikako Tabe
Neon Genesis Evangelion [Global Streaming Debut: Spring 2019]
A.D. 2015. Tokyo 3 is under attack by powerful creatures known as the Angels. The protagonist, Shinji Ikari, is chosen to pilot the Humanoid Decisive Weapon Evangelion — the only way for humanity to fight against the Angels. The battle for the fate of humanity starts now. What exactly are the Angels? What fate awaits the young pilots and humanity itself? (Evangelion: Death True2 and End of Evangelion will also launch on Netflix.)
Director: Hideaki Anno | Planning / Draft: Hideaki Anno | Character Design: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto | Mechanic Design: Ikuto Yamashita, Hideaki Anno | Production Company: Studio Khara
Main Cast: Megumi Ogata, Kotono Mitsuishi, Yuriko Yamaguchi, Megumi Hayashibara, Yuko Miyamura
Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac [Global Launch: Summer 2019]
SAINT SEIYA: Knights of the Zodiac follows modern-day adventures of young warriors called “Knights”, who are sworn protectors of the reincarnated Greek goddess Athena. Each Knight wears a powerful armor based on their chosen zodiac constellation, and are called Knights of the Zodiac. They aid Athena in her battle against powerful Olympian gods who are bent on destroying the humankind.
Director: Yoshiharu Ashino | Story Editor & Head Writer: Eugene Son (Avengers: Secret Wars) | Character Design: Terumi Ishii | Saint Cloth design: Takashi Okazaki | Production Company: Toei Animation
7SEEDS [Global Launch: April 2019]
In the immediate future, a giant meteorite has collided with earth. All living organisms, including mankind, have been wiped off the face of the planet. The government, who had foreseen this outcome, took measures to counter the worst-case scenario called Project 7SEEDS, in which five sets of seven young men and women were carefully selected and placed into teams. Each participant sought ways to survive on a deserted island.
Director: Yukio Takahashi | Story Editor: Touko Machida | Character Design: Yoko Satoh | Production Company: GONZO
Main Cast (Summer Group B): Nao Touyama, Jun Fukuyama, Katsuyuki Konishi, Yoko Soumi, Kana Asumi, Akira Ishida, Aoi Yuuki, Kazuhiko Inoue
Ultraman [Global Launch: April 1, 2019]
Several years have passed since the events of Ultraman, with the legendary “Giant of Light” (光の巨人 Hikari no Kyojin) now a memory, as it is believed he returned home after fighting the many giant aliens that invaded the Earth. Shin Hayata’s son Shinjiro seems to possess a strange ability, and it is this ability, along with his father’s revelation that he was Ultraman, that leads Shinjiro to battle the new aliens invading the Earth as the new Ultraman.
Director: Kenji Kamiyama, Shinji Aramaki | Music: Nobuko Toda, Kazuma Jinnouchi | Production Company: Production I.G, SOLA DIGITAL ARTS
Main Cast: Ryohei Kimura, Takuya Eguchi, Megumi Han, Hideyuki Tanaka
