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Netflix has long held the crown as the premier streaming service for popular anime titles in the United States and beyond. With its extensive offerings that include fan favorites like One Piece, Naruto, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen, anime lovers have flocked to the platform for their animation fix. However, for those eager to explore lesser-known gems in the anime world, HBO Max is positioning itself as a noteworthy contender this year.
In an announcement from Warner Bros. Discovery, it was revealed that two acclaimed yet under-the-radar anime films will join the HBO Max library next month. Beginning March 1, 2026, subscribers can look forward to streaming 5 Centimeters per Second, an early work by renowned director Makoto Shinkai, known for the global hit Your Name.
Interestingly, this cinematic gem will be exiting Netflix’s lineup on the same day, creating a perfect opportunity for HBO Max to attract anime aficionados. Alongside Shinkai’s piece, Mamoru Oshii’s esteemed psychological drama Angel’s Egg will also become available on the platform. Both films have garnered praise from critics, yet they remain somewhat hidden treasures even to avid anime fans.
Notably, this same film is also being removed from Netflix’s catalog on the same date. Additionally, Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii’s iconic psychological drama, Angel’s Egg, will also become available on HBO Max starting March 1. While both of these works have received glowing praise from critics, they often fly under the radar of even the most attentive anime enthusiasts.
HBO Max Adds Classic Anime Movies 5 Centimeters per Second and Angel’s Egg This March
Image via CoMix Wave Inc.
The addition of these two films indicates a unique focus for HBO Max. While the platform is already well established as the main streaming home for the world-renowned Studio Ghibli in the U.S., Max’s latest acquisitions are generally regarded as obscure, avant-garde or arthouse gems that deviate from many conventions of their respective genres. Although Shinkai and Oshii are both iconic figures in the world of anime, their earlier projects are highly experimental and niche compared to more modern anime fare.
Initially released in 2007, 5 Centimeters per Second is Shinkai’s second anime film as director. A coming-of-age drama that spans several decades, the film revolves around Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara — two childhood friends who fall in love during their middle and high school years.
After their first (and only) passionate night together, the two young lovers gradually drift apart over time due to various circumstances in their respective lives. The film, which is split into three distinct episodes, paints a realistic portrait of romance in the modern age, which cannot always withstand the trials of time and distance.
Released 10 years before the cyberpunk masterpiece Ghost in the Shell (1995), Angel’s Egg takes place on a stark, post-apocalyptic planet covered with old ruins and the remains of advanced technology. The plot revolves primarily around a nameless girl who tirelessly guards a mysterious egg, believing that it will one day hatch into an Angel. She is later pursued by a boy who destroys the egg, which ultimately leads to a startling discovery about the existence of their world.
The narrative utilizes many strange devices, including biblical references and haunting visuals that can be interpreted in numerous ways. It was also co-written by Yoshitaka Amano, who is known for Guin Saga and the Vampire Hunter D series.
In contrast to Max, the vast majority of Netflix’s anime offerings — both exclusive and non-exclusive — belong to IPs with prominent international track records. In addition to long-running hits like Naruto, My Hero Academia and One Piece, the site also features modern Shonen Jump anime titles like Dandadan. For viewers in North America, the site is also the main streaming home for Pokémon‘s ongoing anime installment, Pokémon Horizons, Season 1 of which debuted on Netflix in March 2024.
Thus far, Netflix’s anime additions for February 2026 have included Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (Feb. 10) and Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (Feb. 15).