10 Best Anime to Binge on Crunchyroll in Summer 2026

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The highly anticipated Summer 2026 anime season is almost here, and Crunchyroll will be streaming a wide variety of new shows. Along with returning favorites, the season will introduce many brand new anime series. However, new shows on Crunchyroll are released one episode a week, so you’ll have to wait several months before you can watch them all at once.

Crunchyroll has lots of great shows beyond just anime, but it can be hard to pick something to watch. Plus, with a new season starting, many people are looking for fresh recommendations. Luckily, Crunchyroll offers plenty of exciting and heartwarming anime that are perfect for summer.

10) A Lull in the Sea

Even though it came out over ten years ago, A Lull in the Sea is still a hidden gem of a series. It uses a fantastical world with supernatural elements to explore ideas about living together peacefully and understanding each other. The story beautifully captures the feeling of summer thanks to its coastal setting and focus on the ocean, but it’s actually much deeper and more dramatic than you might expect.

Once upon a time, people lived safely underwater thanks to a special gift called Ena, which let them breathe and swim. Over the centuries, most have moved to live on land, but some still remain beneath the waves. Now, a terrible freeze is coming, and those on the surface and in the sea must learn to work together, even though they’ve been enemies for a long time.

9) Barakamon

Barakamon is a truly excellent anime, but it’s often missed because it seems simple and focuses on everyday life. It’s the ideal show to watch when you want to relax, as it’s all about slowing down and appreciating the present moment. This touching story of personal growth and finding yourself, while not fully adapting the manga, offers a satisfying conclusion.

The story unfolds on a peaceful island, where renowned calligrapher Sei Handa has just relocated. Sent by his father to escape the fallout from an incident – striking an older curator at a calligraphy show – Handa struggles at first with the slower pace of rural life. However, he quickly connects with the friendly islanders and begins to rediscover his artistic inspiration.

8) Horimiya

Romantic comedies with lots of characters and relatable problems are always a fun watch, and this story already had a dedicated following thanks to its original manga. The anime adaptation does have some issues with its timing and how events unfold, but the beautiful animation makes it enjoyable nonetheless.

Horimiya is a charming story that mixes the fun of high school life with a sweet romance. It also honestly portrays the personal challenges and hidden feelings of all its characters, not just the main couple. Kyoko Hori seems to have it all – she’s smart, popular, and beautiful – but she keeps a big part of herself hidden from everyone. When she meets Izumi Miyamura, a quiet classmate with secrets of his own, they start an unexpected friendship that slowly blossoms into something more.

7) SK8 the Infinity

SK8 the Infinity, a popular anime from Studio Bones that premiered in 2021, was quickly renewed for a second season in 2022. Because it’s an original story, details about the upcoming season haven’t been revealed yet. Fans love the show for its exciting skateboarding action, funny characters, and beautiful animation. The series centers around Reki Kyan, a high schooler who is both a skilled skateboarder and a talented board designer.

Each night, Reki participates in a hidden, unlawful skateboarding competition known as “S,” attracting riders from across the city. After a tough loss, he meets Langa Hasegawa, a new student at his school who is half-Canadian and half-Japanese. Soon, Langa starts working alongside Reki, quickly getting pulled into the exciting but secretive world of underground skating.

6) Sonny Boy

This critically acclaimed anime from Studio Madhouse is a hidden masterpiece that deserves more recognition. It’s known for its thought-provoking stories, dreamlike animation, and themes that question what’s real. The series follows thirty-six middle school students—including Nagara, Nozomi, and Mizuho—who find themselves mysteriously transported to another dimension called “This World.”

The teenagers find themselves in a strange new world with its own distinct laws, and they soon discover they each have special powers. As they uncover the terrifying secrets of this place, they face difficult trials and disagreements while desperately searching for a way back home.

5) Fruits Basket

This anime beautifully blends heartfelt moments with humor. It follows Tohru Honda, a sweet and caring high school student who, after a family tragedy, finds herself living in a tent. Luckily, her classmate Yuki Sohma and his cousin Shigure offer her a place to stay with them.

The story gets complicated when Kyo Sohma shows up and Tohru learns about the Sohma family’s curse – their ability to turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac. Surprisingly, she isn’t repulsed by this, but fascinated. From there, the series explores difficult topics like love, grief, past trauma, abuse, and the journey towards recovery, with many emotionally powerful scenes that connect strongly with viewers.

4) Natsume’s Book of Friends

This gentle anime takes place in a beautiful rural setting with forests, ancient shrines, and roads bathed in the glow of sunset. Natsume’s Book of Friends is about finding peace with who you were and building new relationships. Though it features supernatural creatures called Yokai, the story isn’t scary; instead, it shares touching moments about loss, thankfulness, and acceptance – stories that will warm your heart without leaving you feeling down.

Takashi Natsume had a lonely childhood, constantly moving between relatives’ homes and never feeling like he truly belonged. As a high school student, he moves to the countryside where he meets Madara, a strong spirit who reveals the story of his grandmother’s Book of Friends – a special book connected to the spirit world. Though Natsume didn’t know his grandmother well, he begins to learn about her through the spirits she once befriended.

3) Haikyu!!

This well-loved sports anime is a classic feel-good series. It follows a high school team as they work tirelessly and overcome challenges to make it to the national championships, emphasizing themes of dedication and personal growth. The show was also incredibly influential in bringing sports anime to a wider audience, particularly among young men.

The story follows Shoyo Hinata, an energetic young boy determined to become a great volleyball player like his idol, the “Little Giant,” who famously competed in national tournaments. After a disastrous first match in middle school, Hinata enrolls at Karasuno High – the same school the Little Giant attended. To his surprise, he finds that his rival from middle school, Tobio Kageyama, is also there.

2) Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

This touching story beautifully portrays the enduring power of childhood friendships and the ways they shape our lives, offering both happy and sad memories. It centers around the nostalgic feeling of summer breaks, making it a great choice for a weekend binge-watch. Jinta Yadomi, once a lively boy, now avoids school and spends his time playing video games, still struggling with the loss of his close childhood friend, Meiko Honma, whom he affectionately called Menma.

When Menma’s ghost appears and reminds Jinta of a promise he made, he realizes she can’t rest in peace. He reconnects with his old childhood friends, who had drifted apart after a difficult event, and together they try to help her find closure.

1) Nichijou – My Ordinary Life

Nichijou – My Ordinary Life is a beloved anime known for its hilariously unpredictable and bizarre comedy. Created by Kyoto Animation, the show takes ordinary, everyday situations and presents them with beautiful animation that complements the lighthearted theme. It centers around the funny adventures of three high school girls: Mio Naganohara, Yuuko Aioi, and Mai Minakami.

The story centers around a group of girls and their unusual household: Hakase Shinonome, a child genius; her robot butler; and a chatty cat. Each episode presents fresh, chaotic problems that transform their ordinary days into wild adventures.

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2026-06-16 00:46