You've probably been scouring your streaming apps. You open the search bar, type it in, and... nothing. Or maybe a different anime pops up that isn't quite what you wanted. If you’re looking for Tower of God on Netflix, things are a little bit complicated, and honestly, kind of annoying depending on where you live.
It’s one of those "it depends" situations.
The reality is that licensing for anime is a mess. It’s a giant spiderweb of contracts, regional lockouts, and exclusive deals that make it hard for a casual viewer to just sit down and watch Bam climb the tower. If you’re in the United States, you aren't going to find it on Netflix. Period. But if you’re hanging out in parts of Asia, like South Korea or Japan, you might have better luck. It's frustrating.
What is the deal with the licensing?
Crunchyroll basically owns this show. Since Tower of God was one of the flagship "Crunchyroll Originals," they have a massive stake in where it streams. Back in 2020, when the first season dropped, it was a huge deal. It was a collaboration between WEBTOON and Crunchyroll, animated by Telecom Animation Film. Because they paid for the production, they want you on their platform.
Netflix doesn't just get to grab whatever they want. They have to bid.
Sometimes Netflix strikes a deal for "non-exclusive" rights in specific territories. This happens a lot in Southeast Asia. In countries like the Philippines or Thailand, Netflix often carries titles that are locked behind a Crunchyroll or Funimation (now merged) paywall in the West. This leads to a lot of confusion online. You see a TikTok of someone watching it on Netflix, you get excited, you check your own account, and it's missing. You aren't crazy. You're just in the wrong zip code.
The Netflix Anime Strategy vs. Crunchyroll
Netflix has been pouring billions into anime. You’ve seen Blue Eye Samurai. You’ve seen the One Piece live action. They are desperate for your attention. However, their strategy usually involves "Netflix Originals" like Castlevania or buying the exclusive worldwide rights to shows like Beastars or JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean.
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Tower of God doesn't fit that mold.
Since it’s a Crunchyroll Original, Crunchyroll views it as their "killer app." They aren't going to hand over their crown jewel to a competitor like Netflix easily. It would be like Disney+ giving The Mandalorian to Max. It just doesn't make much business sense for them right now, especially with Season 2 recently hitting the scene and driving new subscriptions to their own service.
Where you can actually watch it right now
If you’re tired of the Netflix hunt, you have to go to the source. Crunchyroll is the primary home for both Season 1 and Season 2.
If you are a purist, you're probably looking for the Japanese dub with subtitles. That's the standard. But there's also a solid English dub if you prefer to have it on in the background while you're doing something else.
In some specific regions, you might find it on:
- Ani-One Asia (via YouTube memberships in certain countries)
- Naver Series On (primarily in South Korea)
- Amazon Prime Video (but usually only as a channel add-on or for digital purchase in specific markets)
Let's talk about the source material for a second. If you’re waiting for Netflix because you like the interface, you might be waiting forever. Honestly, the best way to experience the story isn't even on a TV screen. It’s on the WEBTOON app. SIU, the creator, has been building this world for over a decade. The anime is great, sure, but it cuts out a ton of world-building and character motivation.
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Why Season 1 caused a bit of a stir
When the anime first launched, fans were split. Some loved the unique, "sketchy" art style that mimicked the early chapters of the manhwa. Others were livid. Why? Because the pacing was lightning-fast. They squeezed nearly 80 chapters into 13 episodes.
This is why "Tower of God on Netflix" is such a frequent search term. People hear the hype, they want to see what the fuss is about, and they expect the biggest streamer in the world to have it. When they don't find it, they start looking for answers.
The story follows Bam, a boy who enters a mysterious tower to find his friend Rachel. But the Tower is a brutal meritocracy. You have to pass deadly tests to ascend. "What do you desire? Money and wealth? Honor and pride? Authority and power? Revenge? Or something that transcends them all? Whatever you desire—it’s here." That’s the hook. It’s basically Hunter x Hunter meets Squid Game with a much higher ceiling.
The Season 2 factor
With the release of the "Return of the Prince" arc in Season 2, the demand for the show has spiked again. Season 2 changes things up. Different protagonist (sort of), different stakes, and a much longer story arc. This makes it even less likely that Netflix will snag it soon. Usually, Netflix waits for a series to be "finished" or at least have a large backlog before they try to license it for a global "binge" release.
Think about Vinland Saga. It started elsewhere and eventually migrated to Netflix. It could happen to Bam and the gang, but probably not while new episodes are still being produced by a rival.
How to watch if you're stuck
If you absolutely must have your content on one platform, you're kind of out of luck here. But there are ways to make it work. Most modern smart TVs allow you to "cast" from the Crunchyroll app. Or, if you're a gamer, the Crunchyroll app is on PlayStation and Xbox. It's not as seamless as having everything in your Netflix "Continue Watching" row, but it's the only legal way to stay current.
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Stop looking for workarounds or sketchy "free" sites. They’re a nightmare for your computer's health and the quality is usually trash. Plus, supporting the official release is the only way we get a Season 3.
Actionable steps for the fan
Don't just wait around for a Netflix notification that might never come.
First, check your region. Use a site like Unogs or JustWatch to see if Tower of God has unexpectedly popped up in your local Netflix library. Licensing changes overnight. It’s rare, but it happens.
Second, if you’ve already seen the anime and you’re waiting for more, go read the Manhwa. Start from Chapter 1. The anime skips a lot of the "Shinsu" (the magic system) explanations that make the later fights actually make sense. You can read it for free on the WEBTOON official site.
Third, if you’re committed to streaming, grab a Crunchyroll trial. They usually give you 14 days for free. You can easily binge the entire first season in a weekend. Just remember to cancel it if you don't want to keep the subscription.
The Tower doesn't wait for anyone, and neither does the streaming industry. If you want to see if Bam makes it to the top, you've got to go where the climb is happening.
Next Steps to Take:
- Verify your local availability: Visit JustWatch.com and search for "Tower of God" to see exactly which platform holds the rights in your specific country right now.
- Explore the WEBTOON: Download the WEBTOON app and search for "Tower of God" to read the original source material, which is hundreds of chapters ahead of the anime.
- Monitor Official Channels: Follow the official @tog_anime and @Crunchyroll accounts on X (formerly Twitter) for any surprise announcements regarding expanded streaming partnerships.