Anime film Kusunoki no Bannin (クスノキの番人), adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name by Higashino Keigo, is now available to watch at home — though as of October 2026, no streaming service includes it in an unlimited viewing plan. The film was directed by Ito Tomohiko (Sword Art Online) and produced by A-1 Pictures and Psyde Kick Studio, with a theatrical release date of January 30, 2026.

Where Can You Watch Kusunoki no Bannin?

As of October 2026, the two available options are:

• U-NEXT — digital rental for 770 yen in points
• TSUTAYA DISCAS — DVD mail rental under the 定額レンタル8ダブル plan at 2,200 yen/month (tax included)

Services including DMM TV, Amazon Prime Video, Lemino, dアニメストア, Hulu, Disney+, FOD, ABEMA, and TELASA do not carry the title. Netflix’s availability could not be confirmed in this survey — check the app or website directly to verify. TVer, the free catch-up service run by Japanese broadcasters, also does not carry the film.

Why U-NEXT Is the Recommended Option

New U-NEXT subscribers receive 500 yen in welcome points upon registration. Applied toward the 770-yen rental fee, this reduces the out-of-pocket cost to just 270 yen. Playback is available immediately after sign-up — no waiting for a disc to arrive.

• Monthly fee: 2,189 yen (tax included)
• Free trial: 31 days
• Welcome points: 500 yen (valid for 30 days from the date of issue)

Steps to rent via U-NEXT:

• Register for the 31-day free trial on the U-NEXT official website
• Receive the 500-yen welcome points
• Go to the Kusunoki no Bannin title page and rent using points plus a 270-yen top-up
• Watch within the rental period

Renting the DVD via TSUTAYA DISCAS

TSUTAYA DISCAS ships DVDs directly to subscribers’ homes; discs are returned by post. The 定額レンタル8ダブル plan costs 2,200 yen/month (tax included) and allows up to eight discs per month, delivered two at a time with no return deadline and no late fees. A 30-day free trial is available, but new-release titles including Kusunoki no Bannin cannot be rented during the trial period. Adding the title to your rental list early is recommended, as new releases tend to have high demand.

Blu-ray and DVD Release

The Blu-ray and DVD editions went on sale on August 12, 2026. Pricing is as follows:

• Standard Blu-ray: 5,280 yen (tax included)
• Standard DVD: 4,180 yen (tax included)
• Complete Production Limited Edition — Blu-ray: 9,680 yen / DVD: 8,580 yen (tax included)
• Special Edition Blu-ray: 12,430 yen (tax included)

All editions include barrier-free subtitles and an audio guide track.

About Kusunoki no Bannin

Kusunoki no Bannin marks the first anime adaptation of any Higashino Keigo novel. The source novel (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha Bunko) has sold over one million copies. The film was directed by Ito Tomohiko, with a screenplay by Kishimoto Taku, character designs by Yamaguchi Tsubasa (Blue Period) and Itagaki Akiko (Kagami no Kojou), and music by Kanno Yogo. The theme song, 「傍らにて月夜」, is performed by Uru, written by Shimizu Iyori and arranged by back number.

Synopsis

Naoi Reito, a young man who loses his job through unfair dismissal and is driven to a desperate act, is arrested. A lawyer offers him release on the condition that he follow the instructions of a certain client — his aunt, Yanagisawa Chifune, a woman who has devoted herself to the Yanagisawa Group. Her first order: become the guardian of the sacred camphor tree at Tsukisato Shrine. Through encounters with the various people who visit the tree — including a college student suspicious of her father’s behavior, and the heir to a long-established confectionery business — Reito gradually uncovers an unexpected truth hidden within the camphor tree.

Main Voice Cast

• Naoi Reito — Takahashi Fumiya
• Yanagisawa Chifune (Reito’s aunt) — Amami Yuki
• Saji Yumi (a college student who follows her father to the shrine) — Saito Asuka
• Oba Soki (heir to a traditional confectionery company) — Miyase Ryuya
• Saji Toshiaki (a man who regularly visits the camphor tree) — Osawa Takao

Summary

• No streaming service offers Kusunoki no Bannin as part of an unlimited plan as of October 2026
• U-NEXT rents it digitally for 770 yen; new subscribers can apply 500-yen welcome points, paying only 270 yen extra
• TSUTAYA DISCAS offers DVD mail rental, though new releases are excluded from the free trial period
• Netflix availability could not be confirmed
• Blu-ray and DVD have been on sale since August 12, 2026