Today AMC Global Media announced the largest content programming deal to date for HIDIVE and an expansion of the major partnership between the popular anime streaming service and Japan’s Mainichi Broadcasting System (“MBS”). Through the ongoing collaboration between both companies, HIDIVE has already delivered numerous fan-favorite hit series to viewers, 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. The new multi-year output deal builds upon the success of the ongoing alliance between the companies, which originally launched in March 2023 and has provided exclusive worldwide rights to distribute part of MBS’ future anime programming in all territories outside of Asia. Under this exclusive global pact inked between both companies, HIDIVE will distribute MBS’ upcoming multi-year series line-up around the world in all markets outside Asia. The entire slate of MBS titles under the new agreement will be simulcast exclusively on HIDIVE as they are released over upcoming seasons and available to the anime streamer’s subscribers throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as in key overseas markets including the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

To celebrate the continued partnership, HIDIVE unveiled Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden as the inaugural MBS title — revealing not only the fantasy action series’ official English trailer but also that the streamer will present the series’ North American premiere on August 21 at Anime NYC 2026. Adapted from the long-running light novel series written by Umikaze Minamino and illustrated by Katana Canata and JISHAKU, Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden is directed by Motoki Nakanishi and assistant director Haruta Segi, together with series composition by Gigaemon Ichikawa and production by Konami Animation. Honoka Inoue stars as the protagonist Nia Liston. As previously announced by MBS in January, Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden will debut this October and will stream as part of HIDIVE’s Fall 2026 Simulcast Season. The deal’s remaining titles from MBS’ upcoming programming slate will be announced in the future.

“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,” said 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.”

North American Premiere at Anime NYC 2026

• Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
• Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern
• Location: Room 1A15-18, South Javits, Level 1. Javits Center

Josh Piedra

Senior Editor, Anime & Manga

Josh has been an anime fan for over twenty years. In addition, he is a light novel author with 38 books published across 5 series! He is also the owner of Meteora Press, his personal dba serving as a publishing label. Anime and otaku culture isn't Josh's only area of expertise. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and has created a handful of independent games along with a deep working knowledge of the gaming industry.