Popular anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren usually dominate the charts, making it hard for other shows to gain traction. But recently, both of those series paused for a mid-season break, creating a chance for something else to rise to the top. A dark fantasy anime currently airing, produced by MAPPA, was able to seize that opportunity and claim the number one spot.
The anime series Hell’s Paradise recently returned for a second season after a nearly three-year break. According to FlixPatrol, it became the most popular show on Crunchyroll on February 23, 2026. This jump in popularity was likely due to a new episode released the day before, which pushed the series to the top of the charts. Despite competition from other popular shows, Hell’s Paradise remains a favorite among anime fans, suggesting what viewers are currently interested in.
Hell’s Paradise Takes the Top Spot During Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren’s Break
Even though FlixPatrol’s rankings are just one way to measure popularity, the newest episode of this anime also has an incredibly high score of 9.4 on IMDb – the best score any episode in the series has ever received, and the highest of any episode released last week. This, along with other factors, demonstrates that Hell’s Paradise is currently a leading anime, especially with so many popular series on hold. Recent trends show that viewers are increasingly drawn to darker anime, a pattern that became clear last year with the release of Takopi’s Original Sin, one of Crunchyroll’s most intense shows. The success of Gachiakuta last fall proved that even action-packed anime aimed at younger audiences can thrive with a darker, more mature tone.
Like other popular series, Hell’s Paradise has quickly become a standout anime this season, largely due to its dark and intense nature. While the first season hinted at these themes, the second season takes them even further with a truly frightening new character and increasingly violent action. On top of that, the animation has significantly improved, making it one of MAPPA’s most visually impressive recent works.
It’s impressive how well Hell’s Paradise is doing. It’s quickly become more popular than highly anticipated shows like Oshi no Ko Season 3 and Sentenced to Be a Hero. It even recently climbed higher in Crunchyroll’s ratings than Gachiakuta. All of this shows that Hell’s Paradise is currently one of the best anime airing, aside from major hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren. Its success seems to be fueled by its dark and captivating themes.
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2026-02-25 16:10