- Primary Subject: Amazon Prime Video's 2026 Anime Expansion
- Key Update: Prime Video has secured exclusive worldwide streaming rights (excluding Russia and China) for the new Ghost in the Shell and Fist of the North Star reboots, both set to premiere in July 2026.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 13, 2026
- Quick Answer: Amazon Prime Video is expanding its 2026 anime slate with high-profile exclusives like Science SARU's Ghost in the Shell and a 40th-anniversary Fist of the North Star reboot.
Prime Video has been actively positioning itself as a premier global home for anime, and according to their recent online showcase, they've set out their stall to become "the preferred destination for anime content globally."
Here's what the streamer is doing next!
How Prime Video Plans to Be THE Global Streamer for Anime
Speaking at the first Prime Video Presents: International Originals online showcase yesterday (February 12), Prime Video's Vice President for APAC & ANZ, Gaurav Gandhi, highlighted a sample of anime shows from outside Japan coming this year on the Amazon streamer.
The VP called anime "a category truly experiencing explosive growth" and added: "Given that we are the home for the best anime in Japan, we want to become the preferred destination for anime content globally, too."
He pointed out three anime titles, including the reboot of Fist of the North Star: Hokuto No Ken, which Prime Video has worldwide rights. The TMS Entertainment series reimagines the iconic manga series on its 40th anniversary as an animated show with a combination of CGI and hand-drawn animation.
"Few properties can match the cultural impact of Fist of the North Star," Gandhi said, adding that the Ghost in the Shell, aka what he called the "most influential Japanese sci-fi work of all time", will be one of the previews; lastly, including From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman season 2.
Prime Video has worldwide rights except in Russia and China. In Japan, the streamer has an early exclusive window.
How Amazon Prime Video Has Increased the Stakes on Anime Streaming
Considering Prime's acquisition of exclusive rights to anime streaming, the market remains highly competitive with major streamers such as Crunchyroll and Netflix still in the mix. Prime's main strategy, however, lies in exclusivity and being a streaming platform that also acts as a service.
Prime is increasing its investment with a heavy focus on specific, new, and upcoming anime titles that would retain its subscribers and reel in new buyers. While Netflix has its own dominant global force for anime through its original creations, Prime Video has specialized in streaming.
For example, one of Prime's add-on subscriptions is connecting viewers to Crunchyroll's library, expanding their viewership and threshold without having the exclusive right to the platform itself. We'll have to wait and see which legendary anime they'll be adding to their roster soon enough.
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