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HomePlatformsU-NEXT
Subscription VODWorks with VPNUpdated May 25, 2026
Reviewed by Alena Bolcikova · Affiliate DisclosureOur website contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
U-NEXT

How to Watch U-NEXT from Anywhere: VPN Guide 2026

360,000+
Total titles
1
Countries
4K HDR
Max quality
4 of 7
VPNs work
4+ min
Ready in
Best VPN for U-NEXT
ExpressVPN
From $2.79/month
Tested on May 25, 2026
  • ✓Streaming-optimized servers
  • ✓No-logs policy (audited)
  • ✓30-day money-back
  • ✓8 devices at once
78% off + 4 months free
Get ExpressVPN
30-day money-back guaranteeIf you’re not satisfied with the VPN within 30 days of purchase, you’ll get a full refund. Just contact their support, no conditions, no questions asked. We’ve verified the process ourselves.
01Quick answer02VPN Compatibility03How-to04Ratings05About06Availability07Pricing & Plans08Content & Catalog09Devices & Quality10Insider Tips11Alternatives12FAQ
On this page
  • Quick answer
  • VPN Compatibility
  • How-to
  • Ratings
  • About
  • Availability
  • Pricing & Plans
  • Content & Catalog
  • Devices & Quality
  • Insider Tips
  • Alternatives
  • FAQ
Get ExpressVPNFrom $2.79/month
Quick answer

Does U-NEXT work worldwide?

U-NEXT is only available in Japan. Outside that region the service is geo-blocked. To watch from elsewhere you typically need a VPN to connect through Japan.
VPN Compatibility

Which VPNs Work with U-NEXT?

U-NEXT actively blocks VPNs. Only certain providers reliably bypass the detection.

VPN ServicePriceU-NEXTTestedAction
ExpressVPNBEST
From $2.79/mo✓ WorksMay 24Try it
Surfshark
From $1.78/mo✓ WorksMay 24Open
NordVPN
From $2.99/mo✓ WorksMay 25Open
IPVanish
From $2.19/mo✓ WorksMay 20Open
ProtonVPN
From $3.59/mo~ PartialMay 19Open
Private Internet Access
From $1.79/mo~ PartialMay 25Open
CyberGhost
From $1.75/mo~ PartialMay 24Open
ExpressVPNBEST
From $2.79/mo
✓ Works
Tested May 24
Get ExpressVPN
Surfshark
From $1.78/mo
✓ Works
Tested May 24
Open
NordVPN
From $2.99/mo
✓ Works
Tested May 25
Open
IPVanish
From $2.19/mo
✓ Works
Tested May 20
Open
ProtonVPN
From $3.59/mo
~ Partial
Tested May 19
Open
Private Internet Access
From $1.79/mo
~ Partial
Tested May 25
Open
CyberGhost
From $1.75/mo
~ Partial
Tested May 24
Open
Tested on May 25, 2026 · 7, 4 · residential IP from Japan · U-NEXT updates detection continuously, results may change.
⚠️
Streaming service blocking your VPN? Just disconnect and hop onto a different server in the same country. Stick to the ones labeled “streaming” or “optimized” because they’re literally built for this.
How-to

How to Unblock U-NEXT with a VPN

Takes about 2 minutes — works on your phone, tablet, TV, PC, or laptop.

  1. 1
    Get a VPN that works with U-NEXT
    U-NEXT actively blocks most VPNs. ExpressVPN is one of the few that reliably bypass their detection via obfuscated servers.
    All recommended VPNs come with a 30-day money-back guarantee: completely risk-free.
  2. 2
    Install the VPN app on your device
    Download the app for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android or Smart TV. Setup takes under 2 minutes: no technical knowledge required.
  3. 3
    Connect to a server in the right country
    Open the VPN app and connect to a server in JP: that’s where U-NEXT is available.
    Look for servers labeled “streaming” or platform-specific: they’re optimized for unblocking.
  4. 4
    Open U-NEXT and start watching
    Go to https://video.unext.jp or open the U-NEXT app. You’ll see the content library available from the server location you chose.
    If you hit a block or geo-error, switch to another server in the same country: U-NEXT sometimes flags specific IPs.
Ready to watch U-NEXT without borders?
ExpressVPN: risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Get ExpressVPN
Ratings

Our verdict

8.0
Overall
This overall 1-10 score combines value, reliability, and VPN compatibility into one editorial verdict. Higher = better overall experience.
7.0
Value
This 1-10 score rates the value for money: content and features vs. price. Higher = better deal. 10 = outstanding offer. 5 = market average.
9.0
Reliability
This 1-10 score rates the reliability of streams, apps, and the service overall: higher = fewer technical issues. 10 = no outages. 5 = occasional minor glitches.
5.0
Works with VPN
This 1-10 score shows how easily the platform unblocks with a VPN: higher is better. 10 = works with any service. 5 = you’ll need a premium VPN from the table above.
Availability

Where does U-NEXT work without a VPN, and where do you need one?

U-NEXT is only available in Japan. To access it from anywhere else, use a premium VPN.

Available in 1 country No VPN needed

🇯🇵Japan

Blocked in 193 countries VPN required

🇺🇸United States🇬🇧United Kingdom🇦🇺Australia🇨🇦Canada🇳🇿New Zealand🇮🇪Ireland🇩🇪Germany🇫🇷France🇮🇳India🇳🇱Netherlands🇿🇦South Africa🇧🇷Brazil
Show all 181 more countries
🇦🇫Afghanistan🇦🇱Albania🇩🇿Algeria🇦🇩Andorra🇦🇴Angola🇦🇬Antigua and Barbuda🇦🇷Argentina🇦🇲Armenia🇦🇹Austria🇦🇿Azerbaijan🇧🇸Bahamas🇧🇭Bahrain🇧🇩Bangladesh🇧🇧Barbados🇧🇾Belarus🇧🇪Belgium🇧🇿Belize🇧🇯Benin🇧🇹Bhutan🇧🇴Bolivia🇧🇦Bosnia and Herzegovina🇧🇼Botswana
🇻🇬British Virgin Islands
🇧🇳Brunei🇧🇬Bulgaria🇧🇫Burkina Faso🇧🇮Burundi🇨🇻Cabo Verde🇰🇭Cambodia🇨🇲Cameroon🇨🇫Central African Republic🇹🇩Chad🇨🇱Chile🇨🇳China🇨🇴Colombia🇰🇲Comoros🇨🇬Congo🇨🇩Congo (DRC)🇨🇷Costa Rica🇭🇷Croatia🇨🇺Cuba🇨🇾Cyprus🇨🇿Czech Republic🇩🇰Denmark🇩🇯Djibouti🇩🇲Dominica🇩🇴Dominican Republic🇪🇨Ecuador🇪🇬Egypt🇸🇻El Salvador🇬🇶Equatorial Guinea🇪🇷Eritrea🇪🇪Estonia🇸🇿Eswatini🇪🇹Ethiopia🇫🇯Fiji🇫🇮Finland🇬🇦Gabon🇬🇲Gambia🇬🇪Georgia🇬🇭Ghana🇬🇷Greece🇬🇩Grenada🇬🇹Guatemala🇬🇳Guinea🇬🇼Guinea-Bissau🇬🇾Guyana🇭🇹Haiti🇭🇳Honduras🇭🇺Hungary🇮🇸Iceland🇮🇩Indonesia🇮🇷Iran🇮🇶Iraq🇮🇱Israel🇮🇹Italy🇯🇲Jamaica🇯🇴Jordan🇰🇿Kazakhstan🇰🇪Kenya🇰🇮Kiribati🇰🇼Kuwait🇰🇬Kyrgyzstan🇱🇦Laos🇱🇻Latvia🇱🇧Lebanon🇱🇸Lesotho🇱🇷Liberia🇱🇾Libya🇱🇮Liechtenstein🇱🇹Lithuania🇱🇺Luxembourg🇲🇬Madagascar🇲🇼Malawi🇲🇾Malaysia🇲🇻Maldives🇲🇱Mali🇲🇹Malta🇲🇭Marshall Islands🇲🇷Mauritania🇲🇺Mauritius🇲🇽Mexico🇫🇲Micronesia🇲🇩Moldova🇲🇨Monaco🇲🇳Mongolia🇲🇪Montenegro🇲🇦Morocco🇲🇿Mozambique🇲🇲Myanmar🇳🇦Namibia🇳🇷Nauru🇳🇵Nepal🇳🇮Nicaragua🇳🇪Niger🇳🇬Nigeria🇰🇵North Korea🇲🇰North Macedonia🇳🇴Norway🇴🇲Oman🇵🇰Pakistan🇵🇼Palau🇵🇦Panama🇵🇬Papua New Guinea🇵🇾Paraguay🇵🇪Peru🇵🇭Philippines🇵🇱Poland🇵🇹Portugal🇶🇦Qatar🇷🇴Romania🇷🇺Russia🇷🇼Rwanda🇰🇳Saint Kitts and Nevis🇱🇨Saint Lucia🇻🇨Saint Vincent and Grenadines🇼🇸Samoa🇸🇲San Marino🇸🇹São Tomé and Príncipe🇸🇦Saudi Arabia🇸🇳Senegal🇷🇸Serbia🇸🇨Seychelles🇸🇱Sierra Leone🇸🇬Singapore🇸🇰Slovakia🇸🇮Slovenia🇸🇧Solomon Islands🇸🇴Somalia🇰🇷South Korea🇸🇸South Sudan🇪🇸Spain🇱🇰Sri Lanka🇸🇩Sudan🇸🇷Suriname🇸🇪Sweden🇨🇭Switzerland🇸🇾Syria🇹🇼Taiwan🇹🇯Tajikistan🇹🇿Tanzania🇹🇭Thailand🇹🇱Timor-Leste🇹🇬Togo🇹🇴Tonga🇹🇹Trinidad and Tobago🇹🇳Tunisia🇹🇷Turkey🇹🇲Turkmenistan🇹🇻Tuvalu🇦🇪UAE🇺🇬Uganda🇺🇦Ukraine🇺🇾Uruguay🇺🇿Uzbekistan🇻🇺Vanuatu🇻🇪Venezuela🇻🇳Vietnam🇾🇪Yemen🇿🇲Zambia🇿🇼Zimbabwe

U-NEXT is blocked in the United States, in the United Kingdom, in Australia, in Canada and in New Zealand, plus in 188 more countries. To access it, use a premium VPN like ExpressVPN.

Available
Blocked / unavailable
Last tested: May 25, 2026
⚠️
Steer clear of free VPNs. Most of them actually collect and sell your data, lack proper security audits, and can even expose you to malware. They’re also useless for streaming. Platforms block them instantly, leaving you with more headaches than solutions. Stick to paid VPNs with verified audits, like ExpressVPN, if you want something that actually works.
Pricing & Plans

How Much Does U-NEXT Cost?

Most Popular

U-NEXT Monthly Plan

¥23
/month
31-day free trial
  • ✓Up to 4K
  • ✓4 simultaneous streams
  • ✓Ad-free
  • ✓Offline downloads
  • ✓Dolby Atmos
PoliciesNo refund guaranteeNo account sharing🔐 Two-factor authentication
Ready to subscribe to U-NEXT?
Go to the official website: no VPN needed if you’re in a supported country.
Go to U-NEXTGet ExpressVPN first
About the platform

About U-NEXT

U-NEXT
U-NEXT
Founded 2007 · U-NEXT Co., Ltd. (USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS)
WikipediaInstagramFacebookYouTubeTikTok

What is U-NEXT

U-NEXT is Japan’s largest premium on-demand video library, run since 2007 by a company now under the USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS umbrella. With more than 360,000 titles, it is the broadest legal source of anime, Japanese cinema, Asian drama and Hollywood film in the country. The monthly subscription, priced at 2,189 yen, bundles a 1,200-point credit that can be spent on newer releases that have not yet rotated into the regular catalogue. Access is restricted to Japan.

Company and history

Previously known as
GyaO NEXT
Major changes
  • March 1, 2023Merged with Paravi to strengthen local content offering.
Content & Catalog

What Can You Watch on U-NEXT?

360,000+
Total titles
~500
New titles/month
25
Max offline downloads
Content TypesMovies · Series · Live TV · Live Sport · Anime · Documentaries · Kids · News · Originals · Offline
SubtitlesJapanese
DubbingJapanese
Payment methodsCredit card · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Carrier billing · Gift card
Offline downloadsUp to 1080p offline · Download expires after 48 days

Top titles right now

Jujutsu KaisenOne PieceHouse of the DragonSuccessionThe Last of Us
Devices & Quality

Where Can You Watch U-NEXT?

Supported devices

Browser
iOS
Android
Smart TV
Consoles
Chromecast
Fire TV
Apple TV

Video quality

4KHDRDolby VisionDolby Atmos

UX features

Skip introContinue watchingPlayback speed controlParental controls

Accessibility

Closed captions
Insider Tips

U-NEXT Tips & Tricks You Should Know

4 tips from our U-NEXT testing team · Updated May 25, 2026

  1. 1
    Use the 1,200 monthly points to rent the latest cinema releases that aren't in the subscription yet.
  2. 2
    Check the magazine section; the 'All-you-can-read' feature is included for free with your video sub.
  3. 3
    Family accounts are truly separate—your watch history won't be visible to other sub-accounts.
  4. 4
    Register via the website rather than the iOS app to avoid the 'Apple Tax' on point purchases.
Alternatives

Alternatives to U-NEXT

Not the right fit? Here are services in the same category you can compare.

d Anime Store

d Anime Store

Subscription VOD
Open
iQIYI

iQIYI

Hybrid VOD
Open
ORF TVthek

ORF TVthek

Broadcast VOD
Open
AB
Written and tested by
Alena Bolcikova
Streaming Platform Specialist · StreamFix

When Netflix US drops a new series, she knows before the algorithm does. Tracks libraries on Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and regional platforms like Hulu and Peacock, logs geo-differences, and tests where a VPN actually unlocks access — and where the promised unblock falls flat.

Streaming librariesGeo-unblock testingNetflix catalogsRegional platformsBBC iPlayer and HuluBroadcasting rights
20+
VPNs tested
70+
Platforms tested
6 yrs
Years experience
View profile
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About U-NEXT

Everything you need to know before subscribing to U-NEXT.

U-NEXT is only available in Japan. Outside that region the service is geo-blocked. To watch from elsewhere you typically need a VPN to connect through Japan.

Plans start from ¥23. Higher tiers add more simultaneous streams, 4K, Dolby Vision/Atmos, and offline downloads. See the Pricing section above for the full breakdown.

Yes: if you are outside a supported country. U-NEXT actively blocks most VPN IP ranges, so server rotation and obfuscated protocols matter. ExpressVPN is the most reliable we have tested.

U-NEXT runs on Browser, iOS, Android, Smart TV, Consoles, Apple TV. Top-tier plans support up to 4K. Content quality and feature availability may vary per device: older TVs sometimes cap resolution or lack HDR.

You can cancel anytime from your account settings: no long-term commitment, no cancellation fee. Access continues until the end of the current billing period.

Ready to watch U-NEXT without borders?

ExpressVPN bypasses the geo-block in seconds. Risk-free 30-day money-back.

Part of the U-NEXT Co., Ltd. (USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS) family.

Get ExpressVPN
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