Netflix has officially announced it will stream the highly anticipated anime series, “SHIBOYUGI: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table,” outside of Japan. The series is set to premiere globally with a 60-minute special on January 7, with subsequent episodes airing weekly. This move broadens the accessibility of the psychological horror and suspense-filled anime to a wider international audience.
Global Reach: Netflix and Crunchyroll Team Up
While Netflix will handle the worldwide streaming, Crunchyroll has also confirmed it will stream “SHIBOYUGI: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table” across numerous regions. This includes North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and the Indian subcontinent, ensuring extensive global coverage for fans. In select Asian territories, platforms such as iQIYI and Muse Asia’s YouTube channel will carry the series.
The anime is based on the light novel series by Yushi Ukai and illustrated by Nekometaru, and it promises a tense atmosphere reminiscent of “Squid Game” but with a unique premise involving young women in maid outfits forced into deadly games.
Premiere Details and Episode Schedule
“SHIBOYUGI: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table” will kick off its run with an extended 60-minute premiere on January 7. Following the debut, new episodes will air weekly, with the second episode and beyond reverting to a standard 30-minute runtime. In Japan, the anime will air on Tokyo MX, ABC TV, and WOWOW, with Netflix and other services also streaming concurrently with the television broadcast.
The Premise: Survival in the Ghost House
The narrative centers on Yuki, a 17-year-old who finds herself in an unfamiliar mansion, dubbed the “Ghost House,” alongside five other girls, all clad in maid uniforms. To survive, they must navigate a series of deadly traps and games involving various hazards like blowguns, buzz saws, and locked rooms. Unlike the other participants, Yuki is an experienced “death game” player, having made a career out of such perilous contests. This unique background sets her apart and suggests a different dynamic within the terrifying scenario.
Production Team and Voice Cast
The anime adaptation is being directed by Sōta Ueno, known for Days With My Stepsister, at Studio DEEN. Rintarou Ikeda, who worked on The Seven Deadly Sins: Dragon’s Judgement, is overseeing the series composition. Character designs are handled by Eri Osada (Blade & Soul), and Noriyoshi Konuma (The Dangers in My Heart) is the sound director.
The main voice cast includes:
- Chiyuki Miura as Yuuki
- Rena Motomura as Aoi
- Inori Minase as Kinko
- Haruka Satō as Kokutō
- Mutsumi Tamura as Beniya
- Rina Kawaguchi as Momono
The ending theme song for the series will be “Inori” by Chiai Fujikawa.
Anticipation for a Psychological Thriller
Fans of psychological horror and suspense have marked “SHIBOYUGI: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table” as a must-see title for the Winter 2026 anime season. Its focus on psychological horror, rather than just gore, and intriguing characters are expected to deliver a compelling viewing experience. The original light novel series debuted in November 2022, with its ninth volume scheduled for release in Japan in January 2026. There is also a manga adaptation by Banzai Kotobuki Dai Enkai. Netflix’s acquisition of international streaming rights ensures that this eagerly awaited series will reach a global audience upon its debut.
