Pictures via Netflix
A report from the Japanese outlet Tokyo Sports has suggested that three Netflix Originals from the region, Yu Yu Hakusho, Sanctuary, and Tokyo Swindlers, have been renewed, and all three will begin filming in Fall 2026. Here’s everything we know.
Over the past few years, the streaming service has had incredible success with Japanese titles such as Alice in Borderland S3, Last Samurai Standing, and Human Vapor. While Netflix continues to focus on brand new content, fans of the likes of Yu Yu Hakusho, Sanctuary, and Tokyo Swindlers will be delighted to learn that all three have reportedly been renewed for new seasons.
The news, as reported by Tokyo Sports, comes as a surprise, given how long it has taken Netflix to renew these series. It has been over three years since Sanctuary debuted in May 2023, almost three years since Yu Yu Hakusho debuted in December 2023, and more than two years since Tokyo Swindlers debuted in July 2024. The article is a sweeping assessment of the current Japanese TV environment and, specifically, how hard it is to get talent locked down for local distributors vs the big global streaming giants like Netflix, speaking to TV industry sources and dropping tidbits about upcoming projects.
In addition to the scoops that all three series have been renewed, it has been reported that all three shows are scheduled to begin filming in Fall 2026! Not to mention, we also have details on new cast members for Yu Yu Hakusho season 2 and minor plot details for Tokyo Swindlers season 2.
Important note: Netflix has not yet confirmed any of these renewals, but given this news has hit English-language outlets, we felt it was prudent to cover. We have made repeated efforts to contact the Netflix APAC team over the past few days to verify the renewals, but have not heard back. Should we get any more clarifying information, we’ll update you as soon as possible.
Yu Yu Hakusho (Season 2)
The first season of Yu Yu Hakusho blitzed through the source material, taking audiences from the very start of the Spirit Detective Arc to the Dark Tournament Saga. The second season is apparently “planned to depict the story up to the Demon World Unification Tournament,” which would conclude the remainder of the story.
Reported to have joined the cast of Yu Yu Hakusho season 2 are Shun Oguri (Human Vapor), Nobuaki Kaneko (Alice in Borderland), Mirai Moriyama (Prism), and Mizuki Yamamoto (Even Though We’re Adults). The names of the roles have yet to be revealed, but it is reported that “they will be transformed into ‘inhabitants of the demon world’ through special effects makeup.”
Picture (L to R): Shun Oguri, Nobuaki Kaneko, Mirai Moriyama, Mizuki Yamamoto
Tokyo Swindlers (Season 2)
Tokyo Swindlers was another big hit for Netflix in 2024, and fans have spent a long time asking for another season. The second season will reportedly focus on the origins of land-swindler Yamanaka Harrison (played by Toyokawa Etsushi).
Sanctuary (Season 2)
No further information on the second season was revealed. All we know so far is that the series has been renewed and will begin filming in Fall 2026.
Picture: Sanctuary
Which Japanese dramas are you looking forward to watching on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
