FanAsia rounds up the latest Japanese series premiering in August 2026.

New Japanese Dramas: July 2026 (part 1)
New Japanese Dramas: July 2026 (part 2)

«Chat Boy»

Premiere: August 1, 2026, 10 episodes

Starring: Masakado Yoshinori, Kawashima Noel

The protagonist, Utsumi Keito, is a talented manga editor who actually suffers from low self-esteem. He finds emotional support through an AI chatbot that constantly approves and praises him. However, the government, fearing total dependence on AI, bans the use of chatbots. Oddly enough, androids are not prohibited, so Utsumi rents one. Their unusual cohabitation begins, blurring the lines between human and machine. This is a story about seeking true support in a world where technology has replaced genuine emotions.

«Ganbatte, Ganbaranai»

(がんばって、がんばらない)

Premiere: August 7, 2026, 10 episodes
Starring: Hirai Miyo, Takano Akira, Seki Megumi, Moritaka Ai

In a mountain house, young people who have each faced life's difficulties live together. Taniguchi Hina once drove herself to a nervous breakdown at work and now enjoys a quiet life. Hina gradually starts returning to normalcy, but one day her former boss, who once pushed her into depression, suddenly appears. Hina must learn to live in harmony with herself once again.

«S&X»

(S and X SとX)

Premiere: August 20, 2026, Netflix
Starring: Nakajima Kento, Araki Yuko, Miura Ryota

The protagonist, Shimotori Ichito, is a psychiatrist and sex therapist who daily sees patients with various intimate issues, from sexual dysfunction and addictions to psychological trauma. Despite mockery and prejudice from those around him, he sincerely tries to help everyone. Yet Shimotori himself harbours a deep personal secret. His life changes after a chance encounter with Ichinose Yumi, a girl he was in love with in school. Yumi works as a TV host and is also going through an internal crisis related to her career and the imposed image of the «ideal woman». This is a human story about love, self‑acceptance, and seeking answers to questions that are not usually spoken aloud.

«Lilac no Hanasaku Kemonomichi 2»

(リラの花咲くけものみち2)

Premiere: August 22, 2026, 5 episodes, NHK G
Starring: Yamada Anna, Touma Ami, Hagiwara Riku, Sato Kanta

Season 2 of the drama based on the novel of the same name by Yoko Fujioka. The action takes place on Hokkaido, where the protagonist Kishimoto Satori studies at the veterinary faculty, specialising in cattle farming. Together with her classmates Ayaha and Zansetsu, she passes state exams and begins working. However, an outbreak of infection suddenly occurs, and Satori faces a harsh reality: to save lives, she must make the decision to euthanise infected animals. This is a story of growing up, making choices, and finding meaning in life through service to the living.