AKIBA ANIME unveils expansion plans and new anime films at AnimagiC
August 3, 2026 07.00 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

FAST Channel AKIBA ANIME is expanding its distribution across additional streaming platforms while broadening its programming with anime films, as its operators seek to capitalise on the continued growth of anime audiences in German-speaking markets.

The latest developments were presented to Broadband TV News on 31 July during an exclusive press event at AnimagiC, which included a tour of the convention with Patrick Keller, Managing Director of peppermint anime, as well as a meeting with AnimagiC organiser Thomas Webler.

The three-day convention attracted around 35,000 anime fans, with visitor tickets selling out, underlining the growing popularity of anime in the region.

Following its launch on Rakuten, AKIBA ANIME is extending its availability to Zattoo, Amazon Prime Video and Titan OS, enabling the free ad-supported channel to reach a significantly broader audience.

“Anime have long since developed into a global cultural phenomenon. With AKIBA ANIME, we want to offer fans a curated, free programming environment while also introducing new viewers to the diversity of the genre,” said Tim Werner, CEO of Mainstream Media.

The channel is operated by the media company in partnership with anime publisher peppermint anime and aims to provide a permanent destination for both dedicated anime enthusiasts and newcomers.

Its launch line-up already includes well-known titles such as Demon Slayer, Steins;Gate, Fire Force and Assassination Classroom, reflecting a mix of action, science fiction and contemporary anime classics.

The companies also announced an expansion of the programming slate through the addition of feature films and theatrical anime releases. From September 2026, viewers will be able to watch titles including Steins;Gate – The Movie (pictured), Assassination Classroom the Movie: 365 Days’ Time and High Speed!: Free! Starting Days.

“Building on the series we have already selected, we want to offer fans – and those who are about to become fans – the complete story and the full diversity of the programming,” said Patrick Keller, Managing Director of peppermint anime.

Beyond content distribution, AKIBA ANIME is seeking to strengthen its engagement with the anime community through appearances at fan events. At this year’s AnimagiC, visitors had the opportunity to experience the channel and learn more about its programming directly from the teams behind the service.

Looking ahead, Mainstream Media also plans to present AKIBA ANIME at Media for You, the youth-oriented section of German media conference Medientage München, with its own dubbing studio experience. The interactive “dubbing corner” will allow students interested in media careers to explore the work of both voice actors and sound engineers, while giving visitors the chance to test their own dubbing skills in an anime setting.

AKIBA ANIME launched in June 2026 as the latest addition to Mainstream Media’s growing FAST portfolio. The company, active in the German-speaking television market since 2000, also operates the pay-TV channels GoldStar TV, Heimatkanal and Romance TV, as well as Romance TV Polska in Poland. Its streaming portfolio includes Fernsehen mit Herz, GoldStar TV, FILMGOLD, WORLD OF FREESPORTS, KultKrimi and Telenovela ZDF.

Peppermint anime, founded in 2012, is one of Germany’s leading anime publishers, releasing anime series and films on Blu-ray, DVD and digital platforms while also exploiting rights across video-on-demand, cinema and merchandising.