Netflix adds 'Gintama' to Anime library with missing subtitles, fans frustrated

Netflix added 'Gintama' to its library, but missing English subtitles frustrate fans of the Shonen Jump anime

Netflix added the popular anime series Gintama to its platform in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom on February 15, 2026. However, fans quickly noticed that the version with the original Japanese audio lacked English subtitles, forcing viewers to rely on the English dub.

The absence of subtitles has drawn criticism online, with fans highlighting that much of Gintama’s humour relies on Japanese puns, cultural references and performances by the original cast.

Social media responses included messages such as, “I can’t follow the jokes without subtitles” and “Netflix really dropped the ball here,” reflecting widespread frustration among long-time viewers.

The English dub provided is the one originally commissioned by Hulu in 2019, covering episodes 1–49. That release included subtitles, making Netflix’s omission more perplexing.

Later seasons and episodes, including Gintama° and the theatrical film Gintama: The Very Final, have different dubbing arrangements on Hulu and Crunchyroll, leaving gaps for viewers who prefer dubbed versions.

Based on Hideaki Sorachi’s manga, Gintama follows samurai Gintoki Sakata in an Edo-era Japan conquered by aliens known as the Amanto. Since its 2006 debut, the franchise has included four television series and three theatrical films.

A spinoff, Gintama: 3-Nen Z-Gumi Ginpachi-sensei, premiered in October 2025, reimagining Gintoki as a high school teacher, while a theatrical reanimation of the “Yoshiwara in Flames” arc released in February 2026.

Fans continue to turn to Hulu and Crunchyroll for a more complete experience, noting that these platforms provide both subtitles and more comprehensive dubbing for the series. Netflix has yet to respond to the fan complaints regarding missing subtitles.