HBO To Add Full Lineup of Anime Classics in September

Anime fans have a lot to look forward to this year. HBO Max is bringing a big batch of Japanese films to its platform, marking an exciting moment for lovers of anime.

According to an official announcement, the new additions will come from GKIDS, a distributor known for high-quality Japanese animation. These films will start streaming in September 2025, with more titles coming in 2026.

The upcoming lineup includes well-known hits, hidden gems, and long-forgotten masterpieces. Big-name films like Your Name will join the catalog, alongside underrated works such as Millennium Actress and the 1985 classic Angel’s Egg. Fans will also get to enjoy movies from celebrated directors like Makoto Shinkai, Mamoru Hosoda, and Satoshi Kon.

Royce Battleman, the EVP of Global Content Acquisitions at Warner Bros. Discovery, explained the importance of the deal 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.”

Battleman also highlighted that some of these films will be presented in 4K UHD for the first time ever, giving viewers a chance to see the visuals in incredible detail.

Among the films available starting September 1, viewers can expect three titles from Makoto Shinkai. Alongside Your Name, the lineup includes Children Who Chase Lost Voices and The Place Promised in Our Early Days. Other highlights coming soon include Love & Pop, directed by Hideaki Anno of Evangelion fame, and the underrated Ghost Cat Anzu.

Several additional films are scheduled to arrive later, though their exact dates have not been announced. These include Mamoru Oshii’s haunting Angel’s Egg, the psychological thriller Perfect Blue, Satoshi Kon’s Millennium Actress, and several works by Mamoru Hosoda, including The Boy and the Beast, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and The Colors Within. Kaiju fans will also have the chance to watch Hideaki Anno’s Shin Godzilla, which recently returned to U.S. theaters for a re-release.

This expansion of HBO Max’s anime library reflects the growing demand for Japanese storytelling worldwide. Fans who have been waiting to stream rare and high-quality titles now have a clear reason to subscribe. With the first wave of films starting on September 1, 2025, anime enthusiasts can start planning their viewing schedule for the fall and beyond.

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