The live-action adaptation of the webtoon Viral Hit is set to premiere on Netflix on May 28, 2026, with the first four minutes released early on YouTube in Japanese.
Netflix Japan announced a live-action adaptation of the webtoon Viral Hit as part of its 2026 slate on January 27. The series is directed by Hideki Takeuchi and is set to premiere on May 28. The webtoon has accumulated 2.28 billion global views, and a prior anime adaptation already exists, indicating a substantial built-in audience.
On June 11, Netflix released the first four minutes of the live-action series on YouTube in Japanese, ahead of its global debut. The footage introduces protagonist Kota Shimura, a high school student at the bottom of the social hierarchy who turns to live-streamed street fights to make money. A special watch party with cast members Ōji Suzuka, Ai Mikami, and Meru Nukumi was scheduled for the same day.
The early preview gives viewers a concrete look at the tone and visual style of the adaptation before its full release. The series is part of a broader Netflix Japan strategy to diversify into live-action and reality formats, following a record year for Japanese content viewing hours in the second half of 2025.
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Jun 11
Netflix has released the first four minutes of its live-action adaptation of the webtoon Viral Hit on YouTube in Japanese, ahead of its global debut on Thursday. The footage introduces protagonist Kota Shimura, a high school student at the bottom of the social hierarchy who turns to live-streamed street fights to make money. A special watch party with cast members Ōji Suzuka, Ai Mikami, and Meru Nukumi is scheduled for June 11.
May 30
Netflix Japan announced four new titles as part of its 2026 slate on January 27. The lineup includes a live-action film adaptation of Toriko Yoshikawa's novel 'One Year to Live, Buy a Man,' directed by Hiroki Kazama and starring Ko Shibasaki and Eiji Akaso. The anime 'Sparks of Tomorrow,' produced by Kyoto Animation and directed by Minoru Ota, is set for a July release. A live-action adaptation of the webtoon 'Viral Hit' will premiere on May 28, directed by Hideki Takeuchi. The unscripted auction format 'Doors Closed, Bids Open,' hosted by Matsuko Deluxe, was also announced. The streamer noted that Japanese content viewing hours hit a record in the second half of 2025, with one in two Netflix members globally watching anime.