Netflix announced the latest addition to its original series slate: Aggretsuko. An animated series produced by Fanworks and featuring a character originally created by Sanrio—known as the creator of Hello Kitty—will premiere globally as a Netflix original series in spring 2018.
Retsuko is a 25-year-old red panda working as an office associate in the accounting department of a trading company in Tokyo. All she wants is to do her job and get through the day, but when office workday frustrations reach a boiling point, she reaches ‘rage mode” and vents her frustrations through death metal karaoke sessions. Originally introduced to the world in a series of short sketches airing on TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System), the characters of Aggretsuko (whose Japanese title is literally translated as “Aggressive Retsuko”) have found a steadily growing fan base throughout the world. The Netflix Original series will be presented in ten 15-minute episodes and will follow Retsuko’s trials and tribulations as she maneuvers company politics, befriends co-workers, and attempts to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
“Aggretsuko may be a uniquely Japanese show, but the frustration it taps into—not to mention the joy of venting—is universal,” said Rob Roy, Vice President of Content Acquisition at Netflix. “We’re excited to partner with Sanrio in bringing it to a global audience.”
Written and directed by the multi-talented Japanese creator Rarecho (Yawaraka Tank), who also voices Retsuko’s death metal interludes, Aggretsuko is co-produced by Sanrio, TBS and Fanworks (Lulu & Lolo: Tiny Twin Bears).
Aggretsuko will launch globally on Netflix in spring 2018.