Asia's Stories Are Getting More Global, Anime to Korean Drama to India Are Ready to Color the Streaming Screen in 2026

Korean drama Siren's Kiss. (doc. Prime Video)

JAKARTA - The habit of watching is no longer tied to space and time. The screen of gadgets to smart televisions has become a "second space" for many people to enjoy stories from various corners of the world through streaming.

From Korean dramas that trigger overnight marathons, Japanese anime that have a loyal fan base, to Indian films with strong emotions, streaming shows are increasingly enriching tastes and opening windows of cross-country culture.

This phenomenon is felt more real when various global platforms compete to present authentic stories from Asia to the world stage. One of them is through the Prime Video Presents: International Originals event, which for the first time was held as a global event specifically featuring international content.

During the event, the streaming service showed a number of early previews of Japanese, Korean, and Indian productions scheduled to air throughout 2026.

Presented by Gaurav Gandhi, Vice President, APAC & ANZ, Prime Video, the event is the initial showcase before the full list is announced in the coming months.

The event, which took place in London, also featured Kelly Day, VP of Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios International, and Nicole Clemens, VP of International Originals, along with creative teams from various countries. A number of names also enlivened the stage, ranging from Stanley Tucci, Nicole Wallace, Park Min-young, Wi Ha-jun, Dolores Fonzi, Alia Bhatt, to Mercedes Ron.

Stories from Japan, Korea, and India are now increasingly prominent in global conversations. Not a few have managed to break into the list of the most popular cross-country viewing, including outside the English-speaking market. Rooted firmly in local identity, but talking about universal emotions, these works show how authentic narratives are able to transcend geographical boundaries.

Anime: Nostalgia and New Vision

The wave of anime popularity continues to strengthen globally. In the presentation, three titles were introduced that will be part of the 2026 lineup.

One of them is the reboot of Fist of the North Star with the title FIST OF THE NORTH STAR: HOKUTO NO KEN. Produced by TMS Entertainment, this latest version combines cutting-edge CGI technology and hand-drawn animation, while celebrating the 40-year journey of the legendary franchise. The story of Kenshiro, the heir to the Hokuto Shinken martial art, is brought back to life in a brutal and fragile post-apocalyptic world landscape.

Another title that caught the attention was Ghost in the Shell, the influential cyberpunk saga that explores the boundaries between humans and technology. Starting from Shirow Masamune's manga in 1989, Major Motoko Kusanagi's story has evolved into a cross-medium phenomenon ranging from anime, live-action films, to video games and now present in the latest production worked by the Science SARU studio.

Meanwhile, From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman season two continues the journey of Beryl Gardenant, a sword instructor from the village who must face new challenges after being awarded the title of Master Swordsman. The story of this touching middle-aged journey has previously made it into the Top 10 in dozens of countries.

Korean Content: Romance Wrapped in a Spectrum of Genres

Korean dramas continue to be a global magnet, especially through a combination of romance, thrillers, and historical epics. In the upcoming lineup, a number of new titles are presented with a cross-genre approach and large-scale production.

Absolute Value of Romance presents the story of a high school student who secretly becomes a web novelist, while Human x Gumiho (provisional title) blends romance and mythology through a 2,000-year-old gumiho character. There is also Siren's Kiss, a psychological thriller about the mystery of death that overshadows the relationship between the two characters.

The romance of the workplace is the focus of See You at Work Tomorrow!, while Love in Disguise combines action and romance in the disguise mission of a former special forces officer. For viewers who like colossal dramas, The Sacred Jewel (provisional title) takes place during the Mongol invasion of Goryeo in the 13th century, presenting the story of the struggle for a holy relic in the midst of a long war.

Indian Content: Women's and Youth Perspectives

From India, the film Don't Be Shy was introduced as a coming-of-age drama with a female perspective. Written and directed by Sreeti Mukerji and produced by Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt, the film highlights the dynamics of adolescence and the process of coming of age with an intimate emotional approach. This presentation is an introduction before a more complete announcement will be made in a separate event in March.

"We are proud to present an early preview of exciting titles from the Anime, Korean, and Indian lines at the first Prime Video Presents: International Originals event," said Gaurav Gandhi, Vice President, APAC & ANZ, Prime Video.

According to him, this is part of the various shows that we have prepared for customers in 2026. Content from Japan, Korea, and India is now emerging as a significant cultural force in global entertainment, driven by stories that are emotionally authentic and relevant to audiences beyond their home markets.

"With the strong momentum of the audience and deep partnerships with creators in the region, this 2026 lineup confirms our long-term commitment to bringing Asian stories to the global stage. Stay tuned for more announcements throughout the year," he explained.

Through these projects, it is increasingly apparent that the global entertainment map is no longer centered on one language or region. Asian stories are now standing side by side, bringing the colors of their respective cultures to the world screen and for viewers, this means more choices to explore in the next binge-watching habit.