All 12 episodes of Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night (夜のクラゲは泳げない) are currently available to watch for free through the official Anime Times YouTube channel. The limited-time release remains available until September 16, 2026 at 11:59 a.m. JST.
The original Doga Kobo anime first aired in 2024 and follows four girls who meet in Shibuya before creating the anonymous creative group JELEE. The entire story is now collected into a single official YouTube release.
Quick Summary
- Title: Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night
- Japanese title: 夜のクラゲは泳げない
- Romanization: Yoru no Kurage wa Oyogenai
- Format: TV anime
- Type: Original anime
- Original work: JELEE
- Episode count: 12
- Original broadcast: Began April 6, 2024
- Animation production: Doga Kobo
- Production context: Original project produced during Doga Kobo's 50th-anniversary year
- Director: Ryohei Takeshita
- Series composition & scripts: Yuki Yaku
- Character concept: popman3580
- Character design: Junichiro Taniguchi
- Music: Masaru Yokoyama
- Current free release: Episodes 1–12
- Platform: YouTube
- Channel: Anime Times Official
- Price: Free during the promotional window
- Deadline: September 16, 2026 at 11:59 a.m. JST
- Streaming territories: Not detailed in the official announcement
- Setting: Shibuya, Tokyo
- Themes: Youth drama, creativity, identity, social media, music
- Main group: JELEE
- Mahiru Kozuki: Miku Ito
- Kano Yamanouchi: Rie Takahashi
- Kiui Watase: Miyu Tomita
- Mei Takanashi Kim Anouk: Miyuri Shimabukuro
- Opening: “Irodori” by KanoeRana
- Ending: “Ichi-nichi wa 25 Jikan.” by Anna Tsurushima
- Manga adaptation: Drawn by Niko Fujii, complete in four volumes
- Novelization: Written by Yuki Yaku through Gagaga Bunko
- Novel count: Three volumes
- Free video format: Episodes 1 through 12 are presented together in one official release
Free Streaming, Key Visual, and All 12 Episodes

The Entire Story Is Available at Once
Anime Times is currently offering Episodes 1 through 12 in a single official video rather than limiting the promotion to the opening episodes.
The anime's official account confirms that the release remains available until September 16 at 11:59 a.m. JST. Availability through this free video is not guaranteed beyond that deadline.
Four Girls Form JELEE in Shibuya
The story begins with Mahiru Kozuki, a high school student who once worked online as illustrator “Yoru Kurage” before stepping away from art after losing confidence in her work.
Her encounter with former idol Kano Yamanouchi gives her another reason to create. Together with VTuber Kiui and composer Mei, they form JELEE, an anonymous collective combining illustration, music, video, and internet culture.
Miku Ito and Rie Takahashi Lead the Cast
JELEE's four members are voiced by Miku Ito, Rie Takahashi, Miyu Tomita, and Miyuri Shimabukuro.
The supporting cast also includes Sumire Uesaka as Miiko, Miho Okasaki as Mero Seto, Shina Shuto as Momoko Yanagi, and Sally Amaki as Akari Suzumura.
Their relationships become central to the series as creative work collides with identity, recognition, past experiences, and the pressures of social media.
An Original Project From Doga Kobo
Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night is not based on a manga or light novel. JELEE is credited for the original work, with the story created directly as an anime project.
Ryohei Takeshita directs, while Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki author Yuki Yaku handles series composition and scripts.
Doga Kobo produced the animation during the studio's 50th-anniversary year, with Junichiro Taniguchi adapting popman3580's character concepts for animation.
Music Is Part of JELEE's Identity
Music is not simply background material but one of the main elements of the story's creative process.
The opening theme is “Irodori” by KanoeRana, while Anna Tsurushima performs the ending “Ichi-nichi wa 25 Jikan.” Masaru Yokoyama composed the anime's score.
JELEE also releases music within the story, making the process of creating and publishing work part of the characters' growth.
Manga and Novel Versions Are Also Available
The anime later expanded into manga and prose adaptations.
Niko Fujii's manga was published by Kodansha through Magazine Pocket and completed in four volumes. Yuki Yaku also wrote a three-volume Gagaga Bunko novelization, with the first book expanding on material from Episodes 1–4.
Why This Matters
1) The full season can be watched without weekly waiting
All 12 episodes are available together, allowing viewers to complete JELEE's story during the free period.
2) It was created directly as an anime
There is no manga or light novel source preceding the TV series, so its core story was designed specifically for animation.
3) Its creator themes are deeply tied to modern internet culture
Digital illustration, music production, VTubers, social media reactions, audience numbers, and identity all directly shape the characters' conflicts.
Anime Information
Additional confirmed information currently includes:
- the free release is hosted by Anime Times Official on YouTube
- the video includes all 12 episodes
- the deadline is September 16, 2026 at 11:59 a.m. JST
- the official announcement does not specify supported countries or territories
- the latest reminder was published through the anime's official X account
- the original Japanese broadcast began on April 6, 2024 through TOKYO MX and BS11
- Kansai TV, AT-X, and HTB also carried the series
- the anime contains 12 episodes
- JELEE is credited with the original work
- Doga Kobo handles animation production
- Miku Ito, Rie Takahashi, Miyu Tomita, and Miyuri Shimabukuro voice the four leads
- Niko Fujii's Kodansha manga is complete in four volumes
- Manga Volume 1 launched May 16, 2024 with 192 pages, an original list price of ¥550, and ISBN 978-4-06-535541-1
- Yuki Yaku wrote the novelization with cover artwork by popman3580
- Novel Volume 1 launched May 20, 2024 with 312 pages, a ¥836 price, and ISBN 978-4-09-453191-6
- the novelization consists of three volumes
- the free release is available through Anime Times on YouTube
- the deadline announcement is available through Official X
- production information is available through the Official Anime Website
- music and release information is available through King Records
Closing
Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night is once again easily accessible through a free release covering its entire 12-episode run. The series follows four young creators trying to rediscover what they love through their work as JELEE.
The YouTube release remains available only until September 16, 2026 at 11:59 a.m. JST. No extension to the free viewing period has been announced.
- TV Anime Official X — Official Free YouTube Streaming Reminder and September 16 Deadline
- Anime Times YouTube — Official Episodes 1–12 Limited-Time Free Streaming Video
- Anime Times — Official Website Listing the Episodes 1–12 YouTube Release
- TV Anime Official Website — Original Anime, Story, Staff, Cast, Production, and Broadcast Information
- King Records — Official English Title, Music, Releases, and Series Information
- Kodansha — Official Manga Publication, Four-Volume Completion, Volume 1 Price, Pages, and ISBN
- Shogakukan — Official Novel Volume 1 Publication, Price, Pages, ISBN, and Novelization Details
- Denfaminicogamer — August 2026 Free Streaming Report, Main Cast, Premise, and September 16 Availability