The Criterion Channel, renowned for its curated collection of classic and contemporary cinema, has announced it will introduce a dedicated anime section to its streaming service in August 2025. This significant expansion will feature influential and celebrated animated films, marking a notable step for the esteemed film platform.
The news, confirmed via the Criterion Channel’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, has generated considerable excitement among subscribers and anime enthusiasts. While the service has previously included a limited selection of animated features, the establishment of a specific anime category signifies a deeper commitment to the medium.
Initial Lineup Highlights Classic and Cult Favorites
The inaugural wave of titles set to debut in the new anime section includes a blend of iconic and distinct works. Subscribers can look forward to streaming:
- Ghost in the Shell (Mamoru Oshii, 1995): A landmark cyberpunk film widely recognized for its philosophical themes and groundbreaking animation.
- Redline (Takeshi Koike, 2009): An incredibly stylized and high-octane racing film celebrated for its hand-drawn animation and intense action.
- Paprika (Satoshi Kon, 2006): A mind-bending psychological thriller from the acclaimed director Satoshi Kon, known for its surreal narrative and visual complexity.
- Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space (t.o.L, 2002): A niche, avant-garde film with a distinctive futuristic punk aesthetic.
These selections promise a diverse entry point into the world of Japanese animation for Criterion’s audience, ranging from mainstream classics to more experimental features.
Expanding Beyond Previous Animation Offerings
Prior to this dedicated section, the Criterion Channel had already made strides in featuring animation, including a broader “Animation” selection on its website. Notably, the service currently streams Naoko Yamada’s Liz and the Blue Bird and five works by acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai: 5 Centimeters Per Second, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, She and Her Cat, and Voices of a Distant Star.
This new anime section builds upon these existing offerings, suggesting a more consistent and curated approach to presenting Japanese animation as a vital part of world cinema.
Significance for Film Preservation and Anime Recognition
The Criterion Collection, the parent company of the Criterion Channel, has a long-standing reputation for preserving and distributing significant films with a focus on their artistic and historical importance. Historically, the Criterion Collection’s direct engagement with anime has been limited, with a notable exception being the 1992 LaserDisc release of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira.
The addition of a dedicated anime section on the Criterion Channel is seen as “unprecedented” and a “gamechanger” by many, as it formally recognizes anime’s artistic merit within a prestigious cinematic context. Fans are hopeful that this streaming expansion could pave the way for more anime titles to receive the full Criterion Collection treatment, including physical releases with comprehensive restoration and supplemental materials, further solidifying anime’s place in the canon of world cinema.
