Why a VPN here?
Japanese studios sign distribution deals region by region — Netflix licenses Japan, Crunchyroll licenses the US, ADN licenses France. The result: some titles only sell in Japan, and a Japanese VPN is the only legal way to watch them from France without piracy.
Expected performance
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| NordVPN servers in this country | 150+ |
| Latency from Europe | 210–260 ms |
| Local legal context | No restrictions. Anime catalogs (Netflix, Crunchyroll) differ widely — main reason for VPN usage. |
| About the catalog | Netflix's catalog varies by country: the US edition holds ~7,000 titles, the French one ~5,800. |
| Where can it be used? | Any country with an active Netflix account and a VPN that unblocks the target region. |
Full procedure
- 1
Install a VPN with JP servers
Confirm the provider runs multiple Tokyo servers (at least 100, otherwise they're already blocked).
- 2
Connect to Tokyo
Expected latency from Paris: 220-250 ms. Initial buffering may be slightly longer.
- 3
Force the Japanese DNS
Enable the VPN's "Secure DNS" option — otherwise Netflix can detect your European DNS and flip the catalog.
- 4
Flush Netflix's cache
Same as for the US catalog — otherwise your last French viewing session stays cached.
English subtitles cover only ~30% of anime on Netflix JP. Check subtitle availability before falling for a series.
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Try NordVPN for this scenario30-day money-back guarantee→Frequently asked questions
Which anime are exclusive to Japanese Netflix?
A few examples in May 2026: Cyberpunk Edgerunners (extended versions), additional Demon Slayer seasons not airing in France, and several Studio Madhouse OVA exclusives.
Does 4K work on the JP catalog?
Yes, with a Premium subscription and >25 Mbps post-VPN connection. Japan-France latency doesn't degrade 4K if the VPN supports WireGuard.
Why doesn't Crunchyroll cut it?
Crunchyroll streams the official simulcasts licensed in Europe. Netflix JP adds titles Crunchyroll couldn't negotiate for France — typically Netflix Japan Originals.