Netflix to Add Black Butler Seasons 1 and 2
The anime returns to Netflix US on November 15, 2026, after roughly three years away from the platform.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Comic Books
Netflix US will add Black Butler Seasons 1 and 2 on November 15, 2026, marking the show's return to the streaming service roughly three years after it left. The anime adapts Yana Toboso's manga, which has released 36 volumes.
Why it matters
The return gives U.S. subscribers a way to watch the first two seasons of a long-running series that has sold over 36 million manga copies worldwide. Its return to a major streaming platform makes the title easier to find for viewers who missed its earlier run.
Black Butler has 43 episodes including OVAs, and the manga ranks 84th among Japan's best-selling titles. Seasons 1 and 2 cover the first run, while four later arcs are not yet confirmed for Netflix.
The players
A-1 Pictures
A-1 Pictures is a Japanese animation studio known for producing a wide range of anime series and films since its founding.
Yana Toboso
Yana Toboso is the Japanese manga artist who created the Black Butler series, which has built a large international readership.
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming service that licenses and produces television series and films for subscribers worldwide.
The details
The anime, produced by A-1 Pictures, premiered on Japan's MBS network on October 3, 2008, and its first two seasons finished airing on September 17, 2010. Subscribers can find the show's landing page and set a reminder on Netflix ahead of the launch.
Timeline
September 2006: The manga launched in Monthly GFantasy.
October 3, 2008: The anime premiered on Japan's MBS network.
September 17, 2010: The first two seasons finished airing.
November 15, 2026: Seasons 1 and 2 arrive on Netflix US.
Roadmap
Netflix's return of Black Butler fits a wider pattern of established anime titles reappearing on major U.S. streaming services after gaps in availability. The move gives a long-running manga adaptation a new audience as streaming catalogs continue to expand their anime offerings.
Subscribers in the United States can watch the first two seasons on Netflix starting November 15, 2026, without needing a separate purchase. The four later arcs are not yet scheduled for the platform, so viewers wanting the full story will need other options.
The takeaway
Long-running series often find new audiences when they return to major streaming platforms, so viewers who missed the early run now have a simple way to catch up. Setting a reminder on Netflix can help you start the first seasons as soon as they arrive.
What happens next
Netflix US will add Black Butler Seasons 1 and 2 on November 15, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more on Comic Books for background on the manga that inspired this anime.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ComingSoon.
