Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is often regarded as the ‘direct rival anime’ of Attack on Titan, as some of their narrative themes are a little too similar. And even though Kabaneri has gained quite the popularity since its release, it is now leaving Netflix’s streaming catalog.
As shared by Netflix itself, over 100 Netflix Originals will be leaving the platform throughout the year 2026. Among them, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato is just another entry, scheduled to bid us farewell on September 13, 2026.
Per What’s on Netflix, the anime is listed as Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato, which is actually the third movie in the franchise. However, right next to it, Season 1 is also mentioned within the (first bracket). So, it’s likely that the entire anime is being removed from Netflix due to the expiration of its licensing agreement.
Sure, there will be newer additions to the platform, but losing some of these old classics may not be a good omen for the industry. Without the competition, the Shonen landscape could be left dying, and especially for Netflix users, the impact may be more dire than we can imagine.
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Leaves Netflix in September 2026
Originally aired from April 8, 2016, to July 1, 2016, on Japanese television networks, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress has since become a sleeper hit among fans. Upon its arrival on large online streaming platforms, it gained a lot of traction, with fans praising it for its stunning steampunk visuals and intense action sequences.
The series starts off with a premise that, even to this day, is quite popular among the masses: a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is pushed to the brink due to a zombie outbreak. This genre in itself stands out for its horror and unsettling vibes, which were, of course, perfectly portrayed in Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress.
Although the manga and light novel adaptations received less attention, the anime did enough to bring its storyline to justice. What really makes Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress a unique watch compared to other Shonen is that, on top of its zombie horror aspect, it is an equally fun series to just binge that will keep you hooked throughout. Thus, the news of its removal from Netflix is quite unfortunate for many fans.
How Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Stands Out as an AOT Rival
Now comes the juiciest part of this article. Why is Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress such a standout show, especially when compared to the era-defining anime, Attack on Titan? First of all, the idea of a zombie apocalypse could very well be seen as a copy of the concept of Titans.
Also, defending the surviving human race behind large walls is another thing that makes Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress a little too similar to Attack on Titan‘s world-building. Even the fighting gear the human warriors use in both series, while not similar from a technical standpoint, is highly advanced mechanical equipment for sure.
Now, what seals the deal is the fact that both series, AoT Seasons 1–3 and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, are animated by WIT Studio, a studio that, on a personal level, ranks at the top for many fans. Why? Because WIT’s consistency and direction in several anime moments have been phenomenal in many projects they’ve worked on.
Some quick info on the Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress anime:
| TITLE | Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress |
| AIR DATE | April 8, 2016 to July 1, 2016 |
| STUDIO | WIT |
| RATINGS | 7.28/10 (MAL) 7.2/10 (IMDb) |
| WHERE TO WATCH | Crunchyroll |
With that being said, it’s safe to say the series did gain a majority of its popularity from Attack on Titan, but it has also managed to carve out its own identity through its fast-paced, high-stakes storyline, cementing itself with the title of an AoT rival. It deserves it, right?
Aside from Netflix, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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