Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) has unveiled the release date for the upcoming animated film, My Oni Girl. Directed by Tomotaka Shibayama, known for his work on Studio Ghibli projects, the movie will debut worldwide on NFLX and in Japanese theaters on May 24. My Oni Girl promises to deliver a captivating narrative of friendship and self-discovery.
This collaboration marks the second of three films that Netflix is producing with Studio Colorido, recognized for its successful films like Penguin Highway and A Whisker Away. The story follows Hiiragi, a high school student struggling to connect with others, who encounters Tsumugi, an oni (demon) girl searching for her mother in the human world. Their journey begins amidst mysterious snowfall.
The film features voice performances by Kensho Ono and Miyu Tomita. Shibayama collaborates with screenwriter Yuko Kakihara and animator Masafumi Yokota to craft a visually stunning world with compelling characters.
NFLX’s stock has returned 24.4% year-to-date, outperforming the Consumer Discretionary sector’s 1.5% growth. This success can be attributed to the popularity of its recently released Japanese content.
Netflix’s Forthcoming Japanese Content to Drive APAC Revenues
Netflix has witnessed a surge in demand from Japan, leading to increased investment in the region. Upcoming Japanese content like City Hunter, Parasyte: The Grey, and Beyond Goodbye is expected to bolster the company’s revenues in the APAC region in the coming quarters.
Analysts estimate Netflix’s 2024 APAC revenues to reach $4.46 billion, reflecting an 18.6% year-over-year increase. Earnings are projected to be $17.01 per share, up 41.4% year over year.
Japan’s transition to video streaming took time due to a preference for physical media. However, a report from AMPD indicates that the premium video-on-demand category in Japan grew from 50.6 million subscriptions in 2022 to 52.6 million in 2023, generating $4.5 billion in subscription revenues. Platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, U-Next, Disney, and Hulu Japan were key drivers of this growth.
Amazon recently acquired the Japanese survival thriller series, Acma: Game, for global streaming, while Disney is set to debut the Japanese anime series, The Fable, on Disney+ in April 2024. Warner Bros. Discovery is also expanding its presence in Japan, partnering with local telecommunications company J:COM and collaborating with DC for the Japanese anime series, Suicide Squad Isekai.
The Japanese market is witnessing a surge in high-quality content, with upcoming releases like Evil Does Not Exist and Unfair poised to challenge Netflix’s offerings.
Featured Image: Unsplash
Author Stephanie Bédard-Châteauneuf 
