Top 10 Most Anticipated 2026 Anime You Need to Watch (and #1 Is a Huge Return)

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Wow, 2025 is wrapping up, and what a year it’s been for anime! We’ve seen so many big series return and a bunch of amazing new shows really break through. But honestly, looking ahead to 2026, I’m already getting excited because it feels like next year is going to be even better. It’s hard to believe, but everything I’m seeing points to 2026 blowing us all away!

2026 is shaping up to be an amazing year for anime, with so many promising new shows on the way! We’re talking exciting adaptations of popular stories, completely original series, and the return of beloved franchises. There are so many options, it’s hard to know where to start! Here’s a look at ten of the most anticipated new anime series you won’t want to miss next year.

10). Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 1

Release Date: January 8th (Crunchyroll)

The Winter 2026 anime season is starting off with a bang, and two returning series are particularly exciting. Jujutsu Kaisen is coming back for a third season, promising even more intense action and conflict than before. While the second season featured significant battles and character deaths, the third season is set to escalate things to a whole new level.

Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen will focus on the Culling Game, a dangerous tournament that throws Yuji Itadori and his friends into intense new battles. The season will also introduce many new characters – both allies and enemies – each with unique and powerful abilities, making it a significant arc in the series.

9). Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2

Release Date: January 16th (Crunchyroll)

This winter, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is making a highly anticipated return, and it’s poised to be even more popular than the other returning series. The first season of this fantasy anime, created by studio Madhouse, was a global hit, and the new season looks to continue that success. The story centers around an elf reflecting on her past, and follows her journey as she guides and trains a promising young mage named Fern, who is rapidly growing in power.

With a fittingly magical touch, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is shaping up to be one of the most visually stunning anime series of 2024.

8). Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3

Release Window: 2026 (Crunchyroll)

Fans of Mushoku Tensei have a lot to look forward to, as the anime is confirmed for a third season! While the series has sparked debate, it consistently delivers stunning animation and impressive action scenes. The second season was particularly dramatic and heartfelt, but the upcoming season promises a return to the exciting, fast-paced battles that viewers have been eager to see. And great news – Eris will be returning as well!

7). Yojo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2

Release Window: 2026 (Streaming Platform TBD)

I’m really excited to see Yojo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil return after almost ten years! While we’ve seen characters from the show pop up in things like Isekai Quartet, this is the first time in a long while we’re getting a full new season. The story follows a person who suddenly finds themselves reborn as a young girl in a world at war, and they have to use everything they know to help an army and just try to survive. It’s always been a bit of a hidden gem, and I think this new season will bring a lot more attention to it – and deservedly so!

6). Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4

Release Window: April 2026 (Crunchyroll)

2026 is shaping up to be a great year for anime, especially with the return of the popular *Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World. The third season was full of action, as Subaru and his friends directly confronted and even defeated some of their most powerful enemies. Now, the story will focus on rescuing Rem from her coma and venturing into a new setting to uncover what the future holds. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the series, and it’s definitely something to anticipate next year.

5). Akane-banashi

Release Window: April 2026 (Streaming Platform TBD)

I’m so excited for all the new anime coming out in 2026! While a lot of the buzz is around returning favorites, there’s also a ton of fresh content, and one series I’m really looking forward to is Akane-banashi. It’s created by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue, and it follows Akane as she enters the world of Rakugo – a traditional Japanese storytelling art – with a secret mission to restore her father’s honor. It’s a bit of a hidden gem – an action series that I think is going to blow up and gain a huge following thanks to the anime adaptation!

Rakugo, a traditional storytelling art, might not sound like the most thrilling basis for a series, but this manga elevates it beautifully. If the anime adaptation can capture that same energy and translate the visuals effectively, it has the potential to be a huge success.

4). Witch Hat Atelier

Release Window: April 2026 (Crunchyroll)

Fans have been eagerly waiting for an anime adaptation of Kamome Shirahama’s manga, Witch Hat Atelier, and it’s finally happening next spring! This new fantasy action series promises a rich and detailed world, and follows Coco as she strives to become a witch and find a way to save her mother, who has been turned to stone.

She quickly discovers the magical world and its witches are much darker and more dangerous than she imagined, leading to a brand new mystery. The original manga is incredibly captivating, and that quality promises an exciting weekly television series in 2026.

3). Daemons of the Shadow Realm

Release Window: April 2026 (Crunchyroll)

Hiromu Arakawa, known for creating Fullmetal Alchemist, will launch a new series in 2026 called Daemons of the Shadow Realm. The story takes place in a world where people can command creatures called Daemons, and centers around twin siblings who are reunited after years apart. They soon discover they have a crucial role to play in saving the world.

If you enjoy other anime by Arakawa, you’ll definitely want to check out Daemons of the Shadow Realm. It features well-developed characters, a fascinating world, and exciting action powered by unique abilities. This is one to watch out for as a top new show in 2026.

2). Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Final Part – The Calamity

Release Window: July 2026 (Streaming Platform TBD)

Despite many exciting new anime announcements for next year, some of the biggest highlights of 2026 will be the continuations of existing series. The fourth and final season of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is set to premiere next summer, finally bringing Tite Kubo’s long-running story to a conclusion after more than 15 years. Fans have eagerly awaited a full adaptation of the final arc and its battles ever since the original anime ended, and now their wish is about to come true.

The new Bleach anime has been packed with exciting moments, but the final season is taking things to another level. It’s finally showing off character transformations and abilities that weren’t previously animated, and even includes entirely new content not found in the original manga. Fans can expect a truly epic conclusion.

1). Black Clover Season 2

Release Window: 2026 (Crunchyroll)

Despite the return of popular anime and the debut of new shows, Black Clover is predicted to be the biggest anime hit of 2026. The second season is set to premiere five years after the first, and will cover the final story arcs from Yuki Tabata’s manga. As the manga itself is also concluding this year, anticipation for the anime’s return is incredibly high.

The upcoming season of Black Clover is shaping up to be fantastic, promising non-stop action! Expect to see powerful new transformations, exciting magic, and dangerous enemies. Many believe it will be the biggest action anime of the year. What are your thoughts? Which new anime are you most excited about? Share your opinions and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-25 04:15