Netflix’s 2026 slate is quietly adding a wild card that horror fans have been waiting years to see. Taiwanese live-action series Bloody Smart draws from the unsettling imagination of Junji Ito, weaving several of his iconic tales into a single, serialized experience. The result promises a binge-worthy nightmare that blurs the line between anthology and ongoing mystery.

While Ito’s work has often thrived in animation, this project leans fully into practical effects, moody cinematography, and grounded performances, according to @formosanbear77 on X. After an unusually long post-production stretch, Bloody Smart is finally inching toward release, positioning itself as a global showcase for how his spiraling, surreal ideas can thrive outside the page.

A New Corner of Junji Ito’s Universe

Set across ten episodes, Bloody Smart pulls inspiration from a range of fan-favorite stories like Tomie, Hanging Balloons, The Amorous Dead, The Slug Girl, Bloody Fruits, Soichi, and Fragments of Horror rather than adapting a single plot. Viewers can expect nods to mischievous curses, grotesque transformations, and unsettling romantic horror, all stitched together within a shared town and cast of characters. The structure aims to keep longtime readers guessing while welcoming newcomers.

The series marks Ito’s first major live-action adaptation produced in Taiwan, adding a distinct regional flavor to his famously Japanese settings. Directed by Chun-Yi Hsieh, the show features an ensemble cast navigating a world where everyday routines collide with sudden, unexplainable terror. The goal is atmosphere first, spectacle second.

Behind the scenes, Bloody Smart faced a three-year post-production journey, including a crowdfunding push to enhance its special effects. That extended timeline slowed marketing momentum, but it also raised expectations among fans eager to see how practical and digital effects bring Ito’s body horror to life in a serialized format.

Junji Ito Goes From Anime to Live-Action

Ito’s recent anime spotlight, particularly through Uzumaki, showed both the promise and pitfalls of adapting his work. The miniseries earned praise for its haunting concept and early visuals, yet later episodes drew criticism over production issues that dulled its impact. Still, it kept his name circulating among mainstream audiences.

Those mixed reactions may work in Bloody Smart’s favor. Live-action allows for tactile sets, makeup, and performances that can ground Ito’s surreal ideas in something more physically immediate. Netflix’s global platform also means the show could reach viewers far beyond the traditional horror anime crowd.

As 2026 approaches, Bloody Smart stands as a bold experiment in translating one of manga’s most distinctive voices into a new medium and market. Whether it becomes a Netflix cult hit or a mainstream breakout, it represents a fresh chapter in how Junji Ito’s unsettling world continues to evolve.