Starting April 3, Netflix is adding a new Japanese anime series, The Ramparts of Ice, to its global lineup. Released weekly, the show adapts Kocha Agasawa’s manga into a character-driven drama about teenage isolation, fragile friendships, and the struggle to feel like you belong.
A hit manga becoming a global Netflix anime
The Ramparts of Ice originates from a manga published by Shueisha Jump Comics. In Japan, it has already built a substantial readership, reaching 160 million views on the LINE Manga service and 1.94 million copies in circulation across print and digital formats as of summer 2025.
Netflix is turning this success into an anime series that stays close to the spirit of the original story while making it available to viewers worldwide from day one. The weekly release schedule is designed to let audiences follow the emotional growth of the characters over time rather than binging everything in a single sitting.
Teenagers, distance, and the fear of getting close
At the heart of the story is Koyuki Hikawa, a high school student who keeps everyone at arm’s length. She moves through school life with emotional walls firmly in place, relying almost exclusively on the comforting presence of her childhood friend, Miki Azumi.
This fragile balance begins to crack when Minato Amamiya, one of Koyuki’s classmates, decides not to accept those walls as a given. Instead, he tries to understand what lies behind her apparent coldness and gradually attempts to cross the boundaries she has set up around herself.
Around this central trio, the series introduces several other teens whose lives intersect in complex, sometimes uneasy ways:
- Miki Azumi, seen by many as the perfect, model student, even though that image doesn’t fully match who she really is.
- Minato Amamiya, whose blunt honesty is often misread as arrogance by the people around him.
- Yota Hino, a kind and popular basketball player who still wrestles with his own inner contradictions.
The anime follows their day-to-day interactions—misunderstandings, long silences, and clumsy but sincere attempts to connect—creating a grounded look at high school relationships.
An emotionally focused coming-of-age story
The trailer released by Netflix highlights the inner turmoil each character carries. It places particular emphasis on Koyuki’s childhood, hinting at experiences that shaped her tendency to withdraw and protect herself.
Every main character faces a personal roadblock: unresolved memories, the pressure of a carefully maintained social image, or the simple inability to put feelings into words. Rather than leaning on big plot twists, the show digs into these quieter conflicts and the emotional stakes behind them.
The series is directed by MANQ, with an experienced team handling series composition, character design, and music. Animation duties are handled by STUDIO KAI, with a focus on capturing the subtle, everyday details of school life and the atmosphere of ordinary moments that carry heavy emotional weight.
Through The Ramparts of Ice, Netflix continues to invest in anime that deals directly with the emotional realities of contemporary youth, using intimate character work instead of fantasy or action as its core engine.
Release details for The Ramparts of Ice on Netflix
The Ramparts of Ice premieres on Netflix on April 3. New episodes will be released weekly, giving viewers time to sit with each chapter of Koyuki, Miki, Minato, and Yota’s evolving relationships and to watch their emotional arcs unfold over the course of the season.
FAQ
When does The Ramparts of Ice start streaming on Netflix?
The series launches on Netflix on April 3, with new episodes added every week.
Is The Ramparts of Ice based on a manga?
Yes. The anime adapts the manga by Kocha Agasawa, originally published by Shueisha Jump Comics.
What are the main themes of The Ramparts of Ice?
The story focuses on adolescence, social isolation, friendship, and the challenge of building honest, meaningful connections with others.
Who are the key characters in the series?
The core group includes Koyuki Hikawa, her childhood friend Miki Azumi, their classmate Minato Amamiya, and Yota Hino, a friendly basketball player. Their intersecting emotional journeys drive the series.
