10 Exciting Upcoming Anime in 2026 No One Is Talking About

2025 was an amazing year for anime, bringing back popular series like Solo Leveling and Dandadan, and introducing new hits such as Sakamoto Days and Witch Watch. But get ready, because 2026 is shaping up to be even better! The first part of the year alone will feature the return of favorites like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Jujutsu Kaisen, Hell’s Paradise, Fire Force, and My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. And that’s just the beginning – the entire year promises some truly incredible anime.

While popular anime like Jujutsu Kaisen get a lot of attention, some promising shows haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve. These ten series are great, but they’re not getting enough buzz right now.

10) Kill Blue

Tadatoshi Fujimaki created this exciting story, combining the action of a spy thriller with the fun of a high school comedy. It follows Juuzou Oogami, a highly skilled 40-year-old assassin, whose life is completely changed when a mission goes wrong and he’s transformed into a 16-year-old boy. Now, he must go undercover as a high school student to figure out what happened and find a way to return to his adult form, all while trying to act like a teenager.

9) You and I Are Polar Opposites

You can never have too many romantic comedies, and You and I Are Polar Opposites is a charming new one. The story centers around Yuusuke Tani and Miyu Suzuki, a popular and outgoing girl who sits next to him in class. Though their conversations start as short and casual – mostly Miyu asking random questions that Yuusuke answers with little enthusiasm – a connection slowly begins to grow between them.

8) Journal the Witch

The story centers on Makio Koudai, a 35-year-old writer, and her complicated relationship with her older sister, Minori. After Minori and her husband tragically die in a car accident, Makio struggles with grief, partly due to their lifelong differences. Her life changes dramatically when she unexpectedly encounters her 15-year-old niece, who is now without any family to care for her. This is based on a popular manga by Tomoko Yamashita.

7) L’etoile de Paris en fleur

I’m so excited about this new film! It’s being made by some incredibly talented animators – people who’ve worked on One Piece and even Studio Ghibli films! The story is set in Paris in the early 1900s and follows two young women determined to make their dreams come true. We meet Fujiko, who’s passionate about painting, and Chizuru, a budding ballerina, and watch them support each other as they chase their goals. It sounds like a really heartwarming story about never giving up and inspiring others – it’s all about igniting hope, and I can’t wait to see it!

6) Sparks of Tomorrow

This beautiful anime, created by Kyoto Animation, takes place in an alternate early 1900s Kyoto. The city is covered in grime from the fast growth of steam-powered technology. The story centers on Kihachi Sakamoto, who is mourning the loss of his brother and the shared future they imagined. When he meets Inaoko Momonkawa, a troubled young woman with spiritual abilities, he’s inspired to fight against the problems of this new age.

5) Eleceed

The popular webcomic Eleceed is getting an anime adaptation, scheduled to premiere in 2026. The story centers around Jiwoo, a compassionate boy who saves a mysterious cat. This cat is actually Kayden, a powerful being who begins training Jiwoo to unlock his own electric powers. Together, they face challenges and explore a world filled with people who have awakened special abilities.

4) Akane-banashi

I recently came across a really interesting story inspired by a lesser-known series in Weekly Shonen Jump. It centers around Rakugo, a traditional Japanese art of storytelling. The world of Rakugo is usually dominated by men, but this story follows Akane Osaki, a high school girl who’s determined to become a master. It’s not just about fulfilling a childhood dream for her, though. She also wants to find out what really happened to her father. He was a highly respected Rakugo performer, but he was suddenly kicked out right before he could achieve the important shin’uchi rank. Akane believes he was treated unfairly and she’s determined to clear his name.

3) Marriagetoxin

Marriagetoxin is a captivating romance series from WSJ that blends thrilling action, compelling characters, and heartwarming moments. The story follows Hikaru Gero, a highly skilled assassin from a centuries-old family of hitmen. Despite his deadly abilities, Hikaru is socially awkward due to a life spent in the shadows and lacking formal education. Facing an ultimatum from his clan to marry and have a child, he proposes a fake marriage to Mei Kinosaki, a notorious con artist specializing in marriage scams, in exchange for her safety.

2) Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia

The studio behind the popular anime Dandadan is creating a new series set in the 13th-century Yeke Mongol Empire, once the largest the world had ever seen. The story focuses on the complex relationships and power struggles within the Khan’s royal harem, where intelligence is highly valued. Fatima, a skilled doctor and scientist from Persia, seeks an opportunity to use her knowledge and is mentored by a powerful woman who helps her challenge the established order.

1) Daemons of the Shadow Realm

This new action-fantasy series is based on a popular manga by the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist. It centers around twin siblings, Yuru, a hunter, and Asa, who has been imprisoned for a specific purpose. Their destinies were predetermined, but everything changes when armed attackers raid their village, killing all the adults. Yuru discovers a startling secret about his sister and is left devastated by the loss. Driven by grief, Yuru sets out on a journey to claim what is rightfully his, even as he fights to prevent the world’s destruction.

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2025-11-21 03:11