It’s already the third week of January 2026, and all the new anime for the Winter season have begun airing. This season is looking exceptionally strong, featuring both popular returning shows and exciting new series that are taking it to the next level.
Lots of new anime are out right now, but five series have really made an impression with their first episodes. These premieres immediately showed what’s great and different about each show, making them worth checking out this season. While they were all strong starts, some were particularly outstanding, so we’ve ranked the top five currently airing anime based on how good their first episodes were.
5) Hell’s Paradise Season 2
After a nearly three-year wait, the anime Hell’s Paradise is back with a new season, and the animation quality has noticeably improved thanks to MAPPA. But what really makes it stand out is the way it slowly reveals the secrets of the mysterious island, Shinsenkyo. The show features a wide range of characters all stuck together, and because they’re constantly clashing, it creates a consistently suspenseful and engaging experience for viewers.
Season 2 builds on the original idea, adding exciting new characters and immediately setting up a highly anticipated fight between Gabimaru and Aza Chobei. The first episode promises more action and mystery than ever before, and demonstrates that this anime is consistently getting even better.
4) Oshi no Ko Season 3
Currently airing anime includes many popular shows, but Oshi no Ko stands out as a particularly exciting slice-of-life drama. The start of its third season clearly demonstrates why, as the Hoshino twins, Aqua and Ruby, navigate new challenges while still being deeply affected by their mother’s memory.
This episode really highlights what makes the anime special – its engaging love story. Now that Aqua and Akane are a couple, and seeing how Kana reacts, the premiere does a great job of showing how the characters and their relationships are changing. It’s also a nice surprise to see Ruby taking on a more detective-like role as she tries to find out what happened to her mother. The episode sets everything up nicely, promising a strong season ahead.
3) Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3
Many fans consider Jujutsu Kaisen to be the most eagerly awaited anime of 2026, and possibly even this season. The series began with a two-episode premiere that followed the release of the Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution movie. These episodes were originally made for a movie showing, so they had exceptionally high production values.
The premiere of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is particularly strong because it sets up the next part of the story in an exciting way. Featuring new characters and a fantastic fight between Yuta and Yuji, the debut episode was excellent. However, while impressive, it doesn’t quite reach the top spot among other recent premieres, as those shows offer something truly unique.
2) Frieren: Beyond Journey‘s End Season 2
Many fans were eagerly awaiting the second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, perhaps even more so than the new season of Jujutsu Kaisen. However, the Frieren premiere stood out because it beautifully showcased the core themes of the series in a typical-length episode, reminding viewers why it’s such a special anime. As Frieren, Fern, and Stark travel towards Aureole, the first episode focuses on the everyday difficulties of their adventure, told through two distinct parts.
This episode doesn’t move the main story forward much, and some might see it as just a pause between bigger events. However, its simplicity is precisely what many fans loved about the series and consider it to be among the greatest anime ever made. The episode’s gentle, thoughtful mood, subtle life lessons, and focus on the characters’ relationships perfectly embody what makes the show special. It’s a fantastic way to start the season, though it doesn’t quite reach the impact of a truly surprising new anime premiere.
1) Sentenced to Be a Hero
The new anime Sentenced to Be a Hero kicked off with a feature-length first episode that instantly impressed viewers and suggests it could be the best new anime of 2026. Its exciting action and adventure offer a refreshing alternative to the many ‘isekai’ shows currently available, demonstrating that a great fantasy story doesn’t rely on the tired trope of someone being reborn in another world. Instead, a richly developed fantasy world with interesting details is enough to make an anime stand out.
The animation in the first episode is consistently excellent, but the story is what truly makes this series stand out. The unique premise – where being called a ‘Hero’ is actually a punishment – and the character of Xylo, who is forced to fulfill that sentence, are incredibly compelling. Sentenced to Be a Hero unexpectedly became an instant hit, quickly establishing itself as one of the best anime of Winter 2026.
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2026-01-20 16:11