Netflix Content VP Kazutaka Sakamoto says some Netflix anime failed to connect with audiences due to too much creative freedom, emphasizing the need for stronger creative alignment between studios and Netflix
He also says adapting anime to a Western style, rather than embracing local elements, isn't the answer for global success
"When thinking about the future of anime, it becomes difficult to move forward unless both sides' visions and processes align at the creative level.
There are many cases where a studio completes a work and says, 'It's finished, please release it,' only for it to not align with audience needs. For example, a studio might aim to create something more Western in style, but in reality, works that fully embrace local elements often resonate more strongly on a global scale.
At the same time, these creative philosophies are important to each studio. If Netflix were to impose its own ideas unilaterally, it would be difficult to produce strong original works. That is why we believe collaboration must extend to how projects are selected, how they are created, and how they can expand as IP while ensuring the studio benefits properly.
Tokuriki: So in the past, there was less of this 'connection,' and now you are aiming to strengthen it through this partnership?
Sakamoto: That has been one of the most difficult areas for us. In the past, when working on Netflix original anime, many projects leaned heavily into creative freedom. While it is wonderful for creators to express what they have always wanted to do, this sometimes led to a disconnect with audiences.
What matters most is that as many people as possible genuinely enjoy a work, and that response spreads globally. To achieve that, we came to believe that collaboration at the creative stage is essential.
For that to work, the studio's leadership and production teams must operate as one unit. If leadership says one thing but the team feels differently, the process falls apart."
He also says adapting anime to a Western style, rather than embracing local elements, isn't the answer for global success
"When thinking about the future of anime, it becomes difficult to move forward unless both sides' visions and processes align at the creative level.
There are many cases where a studio completes a work and says, 'It's finished, please release it,' only for it to not align with audience needs. For example, a studio might aim to create something more Western in style, but in reality, works that fully embrace local elements often resonate more strongly on a global scale.
At the same time, these creative philosophies are important to each studio. If Netflix were to impose its own ideas unilaterally, it would be difficult to produce strong original works. That is why we believe collaboration must extend to how projects are selected, how they are created, and how they can expand as IP while ensuring the studio benefits properly.
Tokuriki: So in the past, there was less of this 'connection,' and now you are aiming to strengthen it through this partnership?
Sakamoto: That has been one of the most difficult areas for us. In the past, when working on Netflix original anime, many projects leaned heavily into creative freedom. While it is wonderful for creators to express what they have always wanted to do, this sometimes led to a disconnect with audiences.
What matters most is that as many people as possible genuinely enjoy a work, and that response spreads globally. To achieve that, we came to believe that collaboration at the creative stage is essential.
For that to work, the studio's leadership and production teams must operate as one unit. If leadership says one thing but the team feels differently, the process falls apart."
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