AMC Global Media’s anime-focused streaming platform, HIDIVE, has teamed up with Japan’s Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) to establish a massive, multi-year exclusive output agreement. This landmark arrangement stands as the largest content programming deal in HIDIVE’s history.
The new contract builds upon a collaborative foundation initiated in 2023, which previously granted HIDIVE exclusive worldwide distribution rights outside of Asia for a select lineup of MBS anime content.
Under the terms of the expanded agreement, HIDIVE will secure exclusive international simulcast rights for upcoming MBS series as they roll out over the coming seasons. Subscribers in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Ireland will gain direct access to these premieres.
Their previous collaboration successfully introduced several hit titles to the HIDIVE platform, including “My Gift Lvl 9999 Unlimited Gacha,” “I Parry Everything,” “The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior,” and “Hell Mode: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World With Garbage Balancing.”
Setting the stage for the new partnership, the fantasy action series “Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden” will serve as the debut title. It is scheduled for a special U.S. screening on August 21 at Anime NYC 2026, ahead of its official inclusion in HIDIVE’s Fall 2026 Simulcast Season when it airs in Japan this October.
Adapted from the light novel penned by Minamino Umikaze and illustrated by Katana Canata and Jishaku, the anime features direction by Nakanishi Motoki and assistant direction by Segi Haruta. Ichikawa Gigaemon handles series composition, with production by Konami Animation and Honoka Inoue starring as the lead character, Nia Liston. A promotional trailer for the series has also been released, with more titles from the MBS slate expected to be announced at a later date.
“Our historic anime partnership with MBS has been a resounding success and we are thrilled to extend our global distribution alliance with a new exclusive output deal, now HIDIVE’s largest ever content programming deal to date,” stated John Ledford, president of HIDIVE. “This expansive multi-year agreement reinforces HIDIVE’s bona fides with both fans and industry as one of the world’s most established and leading distributors of the best new genre-spanning anime that Japan has to offer. We are excited to premiere the deal’s inaugural title ‘Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden’ later this month at Anime NYC, ahead of its debut this October as part of HIDIVE’s Fall 2026 Simulcast Season.”
Shibata Mihoko, director of Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc., added, “Over the past three years, our partnership with AMC Global Media and HIDIVE has significantly expanded the global reach of MBS animation, bringing our hit series to dedicated anime fans around the world. We are thrilled to extend this successful alliance through our new multi-year output deal. Beginning with ‘Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden,’ we look forward to continuing to deliver our most anticipated new titles to international audiences and growing the global anime community together.”
Based in Osaka, MBS launched its radio services in 1951 followed by television broadcasting in 1959. Over a history spanning more than 50 years, the network has helped produce and broadcast iconic anime such as “Attack on Titan,” “Fullmetal Alchemist,” “Jujutsu Kaisen,” “Dan Da Dan,” and “Akira.”
Watch the trailer for “Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden” here: