Criterion Channel to Launch Dedicated Anime Section in August 2025, Featuring 'Ghost in the Shell' and 'Paprika'

The esteemed Criterion Channel, a beacon for cinephiles and connoisseurs of cinematic excellence, is poised to revolutionize its acclaimed film library with an exciting new venture: a dedicated anime section launching in August 2025. This groundbreaking expansion promises to immerse subscribers in the vibrant, diverse, and often boundary-pushing world of Japanese animation.

A Curated Selection of Masterpieces

The initial lineup is a meticulously curated selection of landmark titles, each chosen for its profound impact and unique artistic vision, underscoring anime's global influence. Among the highly anticipated additions is Mamoru Oshii's seminal 1995 cyberthriller, 'Ghost in the Shell,' a philosophical masterpiece that continues to challenge perceptions of identity, consciousness, and technology in a meticulously crafted futuristic landscape.

Also hitting the service is the breathtaking 2009 spectacle, 'Redline,' an adrenaline-fueled car-racing epic from director Takeshi Koike, celebrated for its unparalleled dynamic animation and explosive visual style that pushes the limits of traditional hand-drawn artistry. Viewers can also delve into the surreal genius of Satoshi Kon with his 2006 psychological thriller, 'Paprika,' a mesmerizing journey into dreamscapes that ingeniously blurs the lines between reality and imagination, with this mind-bending classic being exclusively available to U.S. audiences. Completing this initial quartet is the audacious 2002 cult favorite, 'Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space,' a truly unique 'fever dream' narrative blending rebellious punk aesthetics with an unconventional, thought-provoking storyline.

Anime's Growing Influence on Global Cinema

This significant move further cements the Criterion Channel's commitment to showcasing the breadth of global cinema, building upon its existing impressive collection that already features works by celebrated director Naoko Yamada and five iconic films from the acclaimed Makoto Shinkai. This strategic enhancement not only enriches the streaming platform's already robust catalog but also serves as a profound acknowledgment of anime's indispensable and influential role in global pop culture, offering subscribers an unparalleled, artistically significant, and critically acclaimed selection of animated masterpieces that span various genres from cyberpunk and high-octane action to surrealism and countercultural narratives. It marks a pivotal moment for the service in 2025.