Shūzō Oshimi's Haunting 'Flowers of Evil' Manga Secures New Live-Action TV Series Adaptation, Set for Global Netflix Release in 2026

The critically acclaimed and intensely unsettling manga, The Flowers of Evil (Aku no Hana), is once again transitioning from the page to the screen, as a brand-new live-action television series adaptation has been officially confirmed. Penned and illustrated by the masterful Shūzō Oshimi, this franchise, renowned for its unflinching dive into the darkest corners of adolescence, deviance, and psychological alienation, is slated to premiere in Japan in April 2026.

Adding to the excitement, the series will also secure a simultaneous global release via Netflix later that year, ensuring that Oshimi’s disturbing narrative reaches a worldwide audience beyond its domestic borders. The Flowers of Evil remains a cornerstone of modern psychological drama, focusing on the harrowing journey of middle school student Takao Kasuga. His life takes a sharp, devastating turn toward psychological turmoil after his deepest secret is exposed by the manipulative classmate Sawa Nakamura.

The original manga, serialized in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine, achieved widespread notoriety for its complex character studies and suffocating atmospheric tension. These are themes the upcoming television series is expected to fully embrace and expand upon, appealing strongly to viewers seeking mature, character-driven psychological narratives.

This upcoming television adaptation represents the third major screen effort for the property, underscoring its enduring cultural relevance.

Fans will recall the divisive but memorable 2013 anime series produced by studio Zexcs and directed by Hiroshi Nagahama, which famously employed rotoscoping animation techniques. While groundbreaking and realistic, this stylistic choice sparked significant debate upon release. Furthermore, a successful live-action feature film was released in 2019, demonstrating the sustained fascination with this story across various media formats.

While specific production details, including the full cast and crew roster, are currently pending official announcement, the confirmed release schedule and the high-profile involvement of Netflix have dramatically heightened anticipation for the 2026 series.