10 New Spring 2026 Anime to Watch This April (Ranked By Hype Level)

With the Winter 2026 anime season finished, a fresh batch of shows is arriving this April for the Spring 2026 season. So far, this year has been exciting with both returning favorites and brand new series. The Spring lineup continues this trend, featuring several new anime adaptations that fans have been eagerly awaiting.

This April’s anime lineup includes both returning favorites and exciting new series. Here’s a look at ten brand-new anime adaptations premiering this spring – some have already started airing – to help you decide what to watch.

10). Rooster Fighter

Release Date: March 15th (Adult Swim, Hulu)

Shu Sakuratani’s Rooster Fighter is shaping up to be one of the most original anime series of Spring 2026. The story follows a rooster traveling across Japan, in a world where humanity is threatened by giant demons. This rooster is the only one powerful enough to defend against them, and he’s driven by a desire for revenge against the demon who killed his sister.

This series is unlike anything else on TV – it’s visually striking and incredibly over-the-top. You’ll definitely be seeing clips of its most shocking scenes all over the internet, so don’t miss it!

9). The Ramparts of Ice

Release Date: April 2nd (Netflix)

Kocha Agasawa, the creator of the popular anime You and I Are Polar Opposites, is hoping to continue their success with their new series, The Ramparts of Ice. Fans loved the original series because of the charming relationship between its main characters: a friendly, outgoing girl and a shy, introverted boy.

This series offers a refreshing twist on the usual story, featuring a shy main character and a boy who helps her become more outgoing as they get to know each other. Considering the positive response to the author’s previous work, fans are hoping this show will capture a similar lighthearted and romantic feel, while also gradually introducing more characters.

8). Petals of Reincarnation

Release Date: April 2nd (HIDIVE)

This spring, you won’t find another show quite like it – one where Adolf Hitler is a central villain. Mikihisa Konishi’s Petals of Reincarnation still has plenty of surprising twists up its sleeve. The story takes place in a world where people can unlock the powers of historical figures – but only by making a gruesome sacrifice. This leads to a war between those with good intentions and those who are driven by evil, all fueled by the powers of the past.

This show features a fascinating premise: Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton battling against history’s most ruthless dictators. Its unpredictable nature is a major draw, and it has the potential to be a huge success if enough people discover it.

7). Kill Blue

Release Date: April 11th (TBD)

Tadatoshi Fujimaki’s Kill Blue is the first series from Shonen Jump to get an anime adaptation on this list, and it’s happening under unusual circumstances. The manga recently finished its run, and an anime version was quickly announced. The story centers around Juzo, a highly skilled hitman. However, a botched mission causes his DNA to change, turning him back into a 12-year-old and making it impossible for him to continue his dangerous work.

He’s sent undercover as a middle school student by his organization to assess its safety. Juzo quickly enjoys his new life, but his organization is simultaneously working to return him to his adult form. Expect a lot of exciting and unusual adventures along the way – it promises to be a really fun story!

6). Akane-banashi

Release Date: April 4th (YouTube)

Currently, Akane-banashi by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue is a standout series in Shonen Jump, making its release strategy quite interesting. Instead of appearing on a typical streaming service, the anime will be available for free on YouTube. This is a great way to introduce a new audience to the traditional Japanese art of Rakugo. The story centers around Akane, who begins learning Rakugo after witnessing her father being unfairly dismissed from the performance art.

Akane is determined to uncover the truth behind her father’s fate and create her own unique Rakugo performance. The story follows her as she faces increasingly challenging rivals and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. While it’s a classic Shonen Jump series packed with events, it focuses more on storytelling than constant action. This is a series you won’t want to miss.

5). Marriagetoxin

Release Date: April 7th (TBD)

This spring, get ready for Marriagetoxin, a fresh take on romance from Shonen Jump! The story follows Hikaru, a skilled assassin with a family legacy steeped in poison, who surprisingly struggles with love. Desperate to save his sister from a forced marriage and unwanted pregnancy, Hikaru needs a wife – and fast. Luckily, he encounters a clever con artist who might just be the key to his plan.

Mei is known for being a bit of a trickster and has made quite a few enemies, but they’re a true expert when it comes to romance – something Hikaru desperately needs help with. So, they team up to find Hikaru a wife, and things quickly get chaotic with a constant stream of unusual assassins and other problems. If you enjoy action with a lot of humor and quirky characters, this story is for you.

4). MAO

Release Date: April 4th (TBD)

Rumiko Takahashi is a hugely influential manga artist, famous for series like Inuyasha, Urusei Yatsura, and Ranma 1/2. Her newest work, MAO, aims to continue her legacy of great storytelling. The series follows Nanoka, a young girl who mysteriously finds herself in feudal Japan with no memory of how she got there – a situation reminiscent of Kagome from Inuyasha.

I watched as she unexpectedly met Mao, and together they stumbled into a village haunted by ghosts. What started as a simple encounter quickly turned into a much larger adventure than either of them could have imagined. It feels like a classic fantasy story, and I think it’s really going to be one of the most memorable series this spring.

3). JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run

Release Date: March 19th (Netflix)

While technically part of the ongoing JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise, Steel Ball Run is a completely fresh start for the anime. It begins a brand new storyline, meaning you don’t need to have seen any previous seasons to enjoy it! Though there are some nods to older characters, this season takes place in a completely new universe with a unique setting.

This installment feels like a fresh take on the series, set in early 1900s America. It centers around a huge, cross-country race with a big prize, and the energy is similar to movies like The Cannonball Run or Rat Race – full of quirky characters and chaotic challenges. But with a unique twist: everyone involved has special powers!

2). Daemons of the Shadow Realm

Release Date: April 4th (Crunchyroll)

Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of the popular anime Fullmetal Alchemist, has a new project called Daemons of the Shadow Realm. This series takes place in a world where people can control spiritual beings called Daemons. The story centers around twin siblings who were separated as children and embark on a new journey hoping to find each other again.

As the world faces total ruin and the twins’ powers fully awaken, they must find a way to cooperate and save everyone. From the studio behind the acclaimed anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, this promises epic scope and thrilling action – it could be something truly special.

1). Witch Hat Atelier

Release Date: April 6th (Crunchyroll)

Despite a strong lineup of new anime from popular creators, the most eagerly awaited series for Spring 2026 is currently Kamome Shirahama’s Witch Hat Atelier. Originally planned for release last year, and animated by the studio that created Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, this series has the potential to become the next big fantasy obsession for anime fans, assuming it lives up to expectations.

Coco lives in a magical world and dreams of becoming a witch, even though she doesn’t have any magic herself. When she meets a powerful magic user and accidentally turns her mother into stone, Coco embarks on a quest to save her. Along the way, she discovers a hidden darkness within the world of witches, and the story promises a captivating unraveling of secrets.

What anime are you looking forward to this spring? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-19 01:16