Anime had an incredible cultural impact in 2024, taking over streaming services like never before. Specifically, Netflix welcomed a variety of new anime series and films to its platform this past year, with a list of content so varied,there is sure to be something to entertain any anime fan.
There are many fantastic anime movies on Netflix, includingNeon Genesis Evangelion: The End Of Evangelion, Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop,andA Whisker Away,to name just a few. However,Netflix’s best 2024 anime movieis, surprisingly enough, a live-action film.
City Hunter Is Netflix’s Best Anime Movie of 2024 That You’ve Never Seen
The Movie Is Based on the Action Shonen Manga by Tsukasa Hojo
Netflix’s best live-action anime movie of 2024 wasCity Hunter,based on the 1987 anime by the same name. Airing from June 04, 2025, to July 16, 2025,City Huntertells the story of a ruthless mercenary named Ryo Saeba who is so strong and skilled at combat that no enemy can defeat him. Saeba ran an underground detective agency with his partner, Hideyuki Makimura, until Makimura was tragically killed. Saeba began to look after Makimura’s sister, Kaori, after his death, and an unlikely romance began to blossom between the pair, adding another layer of drama to the already action-packed shonen series.
In the film, main character Ryo Saeba was played by Ryohei Suzuki, Misato Morita played Kaori Makimura, and Masanobu Ando played Hideyuki Makimura, transforming into the familiar manga characters phenomenally well. The Netflix listing describes the plot of the film as:“An exceptional marksman and hopeless playboy, private eye Ryo Saeba reluctantly forms an alliance with his late partner’s sister to investigate his death.“The movie is categorized under the streaming platform’s action section, meaning watchers unfamiliar with the franchise may not know about its original manga origins and array of past anime and film adaptations that came before the Netflix one.
City HunterHas Enjoyed Many Live-Action and Anime Adaptations Over the Years
From Anime Reboot Series to Feature-Length Live-Action Films, There Are Plenty of Options for Fans To Watch
Based on the manga by Tsukasa Hojo,City Hunterhas grown into a popular franchise with numerous anime and live-action adaptations in both film and television. Most recently, Netflix created their own rendition of the series, which was released on the streaming platform on August 07, 2025.Viewers gave the film a whopping82% score on Rotten Tomatoes' Popcornmeter, indicating an overall favorable opinion from fans of the franchise. It can be difficult to reboot a familiar story while still staying faithful to the original, but the newCity HunterNetflix film seems to have done just that.
10 Anime Every Fan of City Hunter Needs to Watch
The new live-action adaptation has breathed new life into Ryo Saeba. For fans wanting more over-the-top urban adventures, these shows are for you.
In 2023,a theatrical film entitledCity Hunter: Angel Dustdebutedin theaters worldwide, and before that, theCity Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyesmoviewas released. Thanks to all the new anime and live-action reboots ofCity Hunter,new viewers are discovering the thrilling franchise and seasoned fans are receiving another opportunity to interact with the heart-racing story they have grown to love.2024 was one of Netflix’s best years for anime yet, and for those deciding which of this year’s movies to check out first,City Hunter’s2024 live-action adaptation should certainly be at the top of the list.
City Hunter
Cast
City Hunter is a 2024 film featuring Ryo Saeba, an expert marksman and private detective. Known for his playboy tendencies, Saeba teams up with his late partner’s sister to probe into the mysterious circumstances surrounding her brother’s death.
