Mainstream Media launches AKIBA ANIME Channel on Rakuten TV
June 22, 2026 09.00 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

Mainstream Media has launched its new FAST Channel AKIBA ANIME on Rakuten TV, expanding the German media company’s streaming portfolio with a 24‑hour line‑up of anime classics and contemporary hit series.

The channel, developed in partnership with German publisher peppermint anime, went live on 16 June 2026 and is available free of charge across Rakuten TV’s European footprint.

Anime has a long cultural history in Germany, beginning in the 1970s with Japanese‑produced children’s series such as Biene Maja and Heidi, which became formative television experiences for entire generations. Later decades brought titles that achieved cult status, including Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, Pokémon and One Piece. Today the genre attracts millions of viewers worldwide, driven by emotional storytelling, complex characters and a narrative style shaped by Japanese culture and philosophy.

“Anime are among the most dynamic and popular entertainment formats worldwide. The strong interest from fans shows that high‑quality anime content can also reach a large audience in FAST TV,” said Tim Werner, CEO of Mainstream Media.

AKIBA ANIME is distributed across Rakuten TV’s network of smart TVs, streaming devices, mobile apps and web platforms. The partnership is intended to broaden the channel’s international reach and draw on Rakuten’s technology and monetisation capabilities.

The launch line‑up includes established global hits such as Demon Slayer, Sword Art Online, Haikyu!!, Steins;Gate and Assassination Classroom. Steins;Gate is highlighted as a key title, appearing free‑to‑air for the first time and ranking among the highest‑rated anime worldwide on the database MyAnimeList.

Patrick Keller, Managing Director of peppermint anime, added: “On AKIBA ANIME there will be premieres and classics. We want to give all viewers the opportunity to discover the many different facets of the anime genre, from action and crime to adventure, drama, romance and comedy.”

The channel features curated programming blocks and will regularly expand its schedule. It is designed to appeal both to long‑time fans and to viewers discovering anime for the first time. All content is available free of charge.

Mainstream Media AG operates several pay‑TV and streaming channels in the German‑speaking market, including GoldStar TV, Heimatkanal, Romance TV and Romance TV Polska, alongside FAST offerings such as FILMGOLD, WORLD OF FREESPORTS, Kultkrimi and Telenovela ZDF. peppermint anime, founded in 2012, is one of Germany’s leading anime publishers, active across Blu‑ray, DVD, digital, cinema and merchandising.