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For an easy action pick, start with SAKAMOTO DAYS. If you want something more serious or a different mood, Netflix’s January 2025 anime lineup points to historical drama, romantic fantasy, sports romance and supernatural adventure. The lineup was for Japan, though, so check your own country’s Netflix catalog before you settle on a title.
Five anime picks, matched to what you want to watch
“Best” is a matter of taste, not a Netflix ranking. These recommendations are a practical shortlist: each offers a distinct premise or mood, and Netflix’s own descriptions provide the basis for the picks.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Pok#mon: The Movies 1-3 Collection (Blu-ray) | $14.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Sailor Moon Three-Film Collection (Blu-ray) | $19.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Elfen Lied Complete Collection [Blu-Ray] | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
![Digimon the Movies 4-6 Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BavV0Z0TL._SL160_.jpg)
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Digimon the Movies 4-6 Collection [Blu-ray] | $23.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Digimon The Movies 1-3 Collection [Blu-ray] | $24.59 | Buy on Amazon |
| Pick | Best for | What to expect | January 2025 status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAKAMOTO DAYS | Action with comedy | A former legendary assassin tries to protect his peaceful family life as threats approach. | Netflix said the global premiere was January 11, 2025; new episodes began that day in its Japan winter lineup. |
| Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (Chi: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite) | Serious, idea-driven historical drama | In a 15th-century setting, people risk themselves to pursue the idea of heliocentrism. | Featured in Netflix Japan’s winter lineup; also listed in Netflix’s US anime catalog when checked October 8, 2026. |
| My Happy Marriage Season 2 | Romantic fantasy | A featured romantic-fantasy option in the winter lineup; the available official description does not establish more plot detail. | Featured in Netflix Japan’s January 2025 lineup. |
| Blue Box | Sports romance and coming-of-age | School athletes pursue their sports goals while the story explores the emotions of falling for someone. | Described in Netflix’s Jump Festa 2025 coverage. |
| DAN DA DAN | Supernatural action and youthful energy | A girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens and a boy who believes in aliens but not ghosts get caught up in occult battles and youthful adventures. | Described in Netflix’s Jump Festa 2025 coverage; Netflix said Season 1 had remained in its Global Top 10 (Non-English series) for ten consecutive weeks at the time. |
Start with action: SAKAMOTO DAYS
The hook is straightforward: a former legendary assassin is trying to preserve his peaceful family life while threats close in. That contrast makes this the most accessible starting point if you want action without committing to a serious historical drama or romance. Netflix Japan reported in January 2025 that the Shueisha manga behind the anime had passed six million copies in circulation; that is a dated circulation figure, not a measure of the anime’s quality.
If the premise appeals, the anime is also a way into the source manga, but you do not need to read it first.
#1 Best Overall
For history and big ideas: Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
Choose Orb for a more serious watch. Its 15th-century setting and focus on the pursuit of heliocentrism make it the shortlist’s idea-driven historical drama rather than a conventional action or romance pick. Netflix’s US anime catalog listed the series when checked October 8, 2026, but that does not establish availability in other countries.
For romance with fantasy: My Happy Marriage Season 2
This is the romantic-fantasy choice in Netflix Japan’s winter lineup. The lineup confirms the season as a featured January release, but its available description does not support a more detailed plot summary.
Rank #2
For school sports and romance: Blue Box
Blue Box combines commitment to school sports with the emotions of falling for someone. It suits viewers who want a coming-of-age story with both athletic and romantic threads rather than a battle-focused series.
For supernatural adventure: DAN DA DAN
DAN DA DAN builds its youthful adventure around a mismatch in beliefs: one lead believes in ghosts but not aliens, the other in aliens but not ghosts. Netflix described the series as involving occult battles. Its reported ten-week Top 10 run was a platform claim from the time of Netflix’s Jump Festa 2025 article, not a current ranking or proof that it is objectively better than the other picks.
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- Elfen Lied Complete Collection [Blu-Ray]
Which one should you choose?
- Want fast-moving action with a comic premise? Try SAKAMOTO DAYS.
- Want a serious story built around an idea? Choose Orb: On the Movements of the Earth.
- Want romance and fantasy? Pick My Happy Marriage Season 2.
- Want sports alongside a coming-of-age romance? Start Blue Box.
- Want youthful supernatural action? Go with DAN DA DAN.
Check availability in your country
The January 2025 winter lineup cited here was published for Japan, so its release announcements do not mean every title was available everywhere. Netflix’s global Jump Festa coverage likewise noted that some releases were limited to select regions. Catalogs and schedules can change: search the title in your own Netflix app or local catalog rather than treating an old release announcement as confirmation of current availability.
Netflix’s later viewing figures offer a sense of the platform’s anime audience, not a verdict on what to watch. In its report published January 22, 2026, Netflix said anime accounted for over 4% of all its viewing in the second half of 2025; that report listed 17 million views for DAN DA DAN Season 2 and 12 million for SAKAMOTO DAYS Season 1 during that half. Netflix’s figures are tied to the stated period and are not a current ranking.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- English dubbed, Japanese language, English subtitles
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
