HBO Max to Stream Full Lineup of Anime Classics Starting This September

HBO Max is expanding its anime library with a major new deal with GKIDS, bringing some of the most acclaimed Japanese animated and live-action films to U.S. audiences for the first time.

The announcement, made through HBO Max and GKIDS, confirms that fans will have access to a wide range of masterpieces starting September 1, 2025. Many of these films will be streaming in North America for the first time, and some will even get their first 4K release.

The first wave of titles includes works by renowned filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, including Your Name, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, and The Place Promised in Our Early Days. Alongside these, fans can catch North American streaming debuts of films like Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, Ghost Cat Anzu, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, and Love & Pop. Shinkai’s Your Name will also be available in 4K for premium subscribers, giving viewers the highest quality experience.

Additional films will be added later in 2025 and 2026. These include Shin Godzilla, directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, and works from Mamoru Hosoda such as Summer Wars, The Boy and the Beast, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Wolf Children, all in 4K streaming debut. Classics from Satoshi Kon like Perfect Blue and Millennium Actress, Mamoru Oshii’s Angel’s Egg, and films from Masaaki Yuasa and Naoko Yamada will also join the library.

Royce Battleman, EVP of Global Content Acquisitions at Warner Bros. Discovery, said in an official statement, “HBO Max’s continued partnership with GKIDS indicates our commitment to bringing world class Japanese animation and original films to our audiences. This deal, which introduces masterpieces and fan favorites to streaming for the very first time, allows us to continue delivering premium films to our subscribers and solidifies HBO Max’s position as a leading destination in the space.”

Dave Jesteadt, President of GKIDS, added, “We are excited to continue the relationship with HBO Max and to bring this exciting package to US streaming audiences. HBO Max’s focus on award-winning, genre-defining essential programming is a perfect match for the type of outstanding filmmaking that GKIDS champions.”

This new agreement cements HBO Max as a key destination for fans of Japanese animation in the U.S., complementing its existing exclusive Studio Ghibli library. While specific release dates for some titles are still to be announced, the first batch of films will be available on the platform starting September 1, 2025.

With this move, HBO Max is not only giving fans access to iconic films like Your Name and Shin Godzilla, but also introducing hidden gems and critically acclaimed works that have never streamed before, offering a rich selection of animation and live-action storytelling for years to come.

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