Ganglion — the short-form comedy anime about a middle-management villain henchman — is streaming in Japan across multiple platforms. All 24 episodes are available on U-NEXT, Amazon Prime Video, dAnime Store, Hulu, Lemino, FOD, TELASA, and ABEMA Premium.

What Is Ganglion?

Ganglion is a TV anime adaptation of the manga by Hisaya Shiroiwa (story) and Takashi Itsuki (art), published by Yoshimoto Books. Each episode runs approximately three minutes. Set in early-2000s Tokyo, the series follows Kenji Isobe, a section chief in the “Belve Corps” world-domination division of the evil corporation “Ganglion Co., Ltd.” Isobe is a hapless middle manager who endures pointless “confidential” briefings from his boss, Colonel Shadow, then heads out in a spandex suit to execute absurd schemes — only to be effortlessly defeated by the hero Hopeman — all while trying to be a good husband and father.

The series aired on TV Tokyo from October 3, 2025, concluding with episode 24 in March 2026.

What Makes It Worth Watching

The show’s appeal lies in its fresh angle on the superhero genre: the story is told entirely from the perspective of an ordinary salaryman on the villain’s side. Even Hopeman gets a satirical treatment — he deliberately avoids saying he’ll “protect peace” outright, wary of being held accountable. At just three minutes per episode, it’s easy to fit into any spare moment.

The ending theme for the first half is “Miracle” by NIKO NIKO TAN TAN; the second half uses “Tsumuji” by EXILE TAKAHIRO.

Cast

• Kenji Isobe — Yoji Ueda
• Colonel Shadow (real name: Minoru Kageyama) — Fumihiko Tachiki
• Hopeman — Tomokazu Sugita
• Setsuko Isobe (wife) — Aoi Koga
• Takashi Isobe (son) — Yoshino Aoyama
• Yumiko (Isobe’s sister-in-law, Hopeman’s partner) — Hikaru Tono
• Street Stall Owner — Itaru Itao

Staff

• Director: Ayumu Watanabe
• Series Composition: Tomoaki Shiono
• Script: Harise
• Character Design / Chief Animation Director: Shigeru Fujita
• Music: Takeo Asami
• Animation Studio: studio maf

Streaming Services at a Glance

The following services offer Ganglion as part of their unlimited streaming plans (prices include tax, Japan only):

• U-NEXT — ¥2,189/month; 31-day free trial + 500-yen points on first registration
• Amazon Prime Video — ¥600/month (Prime membership); 30-day free trial
• dAnime Store — ¥660/month; first month free
• Hulu — ¥1,320/month; no free trial
• Lemino — ¥990/month (Lemino Premium plan)
• FOD — from ¥976/month
• TELASA — ¥1,320/month
• ABEMA Premium — from ¥680/month; no free trial

Netflix, Disney+, DMM TV, and TSUTAYA DISCAS do not currently carry the title. Full episodes are not available on TVer or YouTube, though the official PV can be found on the Yoshimoto Kogyo YouTube channel.

FAQ

How many episodes does Ganglion have?

The TV anime runs for 24 episodes, each approximately three minutes long. The final episode aired in March 2026.

What is the source material?

It is adapted from the manga by Hisaya Shiroiwa (story) and Takashi Itsuki (art), published by Yoshimoto Books.

Is it on Netflix or Disney+?

No streaming presence on Netflix or Disney+ has been confirmed. For all 24 episodes, U-NEXT, Amazon Prime Video, and dAnime Store are recommended options.