Get ready to update your watchlists. 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for anime, with long-awaited returns, epic finales, and exciting new worlds on the horizon. Let's dive into the fifteen titles we're most excited to see.
This dark fantasy flips the script on a classic idea: here, being a hero is actually a horrific punishment. The condemned are forced to fight endlessly on the front lines against the demon king's army, and death isn't even an escape since they can be revived. When these unwilling soldiers finally decide to rebel and change their world, their actions trigger chaos. | © Yen Press
After the catastrophic Shibuya incident, the situation for Yuji and his allies is more dire than ever. Season 3 is set to dive into the brutal Culling Game arc, a deadly new contest that raises the stakes to an even more dangerous level. If you saw the Extinction compilation film, you got a small preview of the chaos and high-stakes battles that are about to unfold. | © Crunchyroll
Two years after Stampede, journalists Meryl and Milly are still searching for Vash the Stampede, a task complicated by the dangerous followers of Millions Knives. Vash himself is living with amnesia under a new identity, trying to build a quiet life without the weight of his past. That peace won't last, as he'll soon have to become the Humanoid Typhoon again, armed with the hard lessons he's learned. | © Crunchyroll
A new teaser confirms the brutal journey continues on the monstrous island of Shinsenkyo, where Gabimaru the Hollow and the other condemned criminals are closer than ever to finding the Elixir of Life. Their mission is fueled by pure desperation, since securing the elixir is the only thing that can pardon their death sentences. This next season promises even more chaos as the frantic hunt reaches its most dangerous and violent phase yet. | © Crunchyroll
The reincarnated twins Aqua and Ruby are now fully grown, forging their own paths in the ruthless entertainment industry that their mother once dominated. What started as a wild supernatural premise has fully transformed into a gripping, twist-filled murder mystery. Season 3 is poised to dive deeper into the dark secrets they're chasing, all while navigating the intense pressures of fame. | © HIDIVE
Frieren's quiet journey to understand human mortality continues as her party ventures into the dangerous Northern Plateau. They're still far from their final destination, facing very real threats on the road alongside the more gentle, lingering passage of time. After a nearly perfect first season, the stakes are high for this next chapter to maintain that same thoughtful and beautifully crafted magic. | © Crunchyroll
This new film takes on the classic Japanese folktale of the moon princess, reimagining it within a stunning virtual world called Tsukuyomi. With acclaimed animator Shingo Yamashita leading the project, the visuals promise to be a major highlight. While many stories have drawn from this legend, this version aims to deliver its own fresh and emotionally resonant take on the timeless myth. | © Netflix
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure heads to a fresh timeline for one of its most acclaimed story arcs, beginning with a 47-minute prologue on Netflix. It follows Johnny Joestar, a disgraced jockey who teams up with the enigmatic Gyro Zeppeli for an epic cross-country horse race. For fans, this arc is a standout because Araki reinvents his style, trading some of the earlier flamboyance for a more character-focused tale. | © Netflix
Fans of Maomao and Jinshi have a lot to look forward to, with Season 3 arriving in a two-part split course and a new original film slated for late 2026. The clever apothecary and her enigmatic patron will dive back into the Imperial Palace's shadowy world of secrets and schemes. At its core, the show's appeal remains in solving intricate mysteries through Maomao's sharp intellect and unique perspective. | © Crunchyroll
Re: Zero - Starting Life in Another World continues in another world, where Subaru's ability to return from death is less of a gift and more of a traumatic burden. The new season introduces Shaula, the powerful guardian of the isolated Pleiades Watchtower. As always, the story stands out by focusing on Subaru's emotional struggle and vulnerability, pushing past typical fantasy escapism. | © Crunchyroll
The era of Bleach is set to conclude in 2026 with this final arc, bringing the massive war between the Soul Reapers and the Quincy to its end. After the intense battles of the last few years, the wait for this finale has felt especially long. Ichigo Kurosaki and his allies must make one last stand on the battlefield, with the fate of the entire world resting on the outcome. | © Hulu
Retired assassin Taro Sakamoto just wants a quiet life, but his dangerous old career won't let him go. He spent the first season trying to protect his family and the new peace he had established from old enemies seeking revenge. Now, Season 2 is heading to Netflix in 2026, promising even more trouble from his explosive past to disrupt his carefully balanced present. | © Netflix
This announcement marks the long-awaited return of the Black Clover anime, which has been away since 2021. Following up on the Sword of the Wizard King movie, this is the proper second season the global fanbase has been asking for. Now, Asta's journey to become the Wizard King can finally continue where the original 170-episode run left off. | © Crunchyroll
The upcoming final season kicks off with a fresh, massive wave of kaiju invasions. Kafka, a guy who used to clean up monster remains, now carries a kaiju's power inside him after an unfortunate accident. His ongoing battle to hold onto his humanity while using his monstrous strength gives the explosive action some real, compelling weight. | © Crunchyroll
Jump Festa confirmed the anime is coming, but we're still waiting on a release date and more specifics. This story picks up right after the events of the Reze Arc movie, with Denji, Aki, and Power's plans getting abruptly canceled. Now, the whole world saw Denji's last fight, and that attention has made him and his friends the number one target for a whole new wave of deadly killers. | © Crunchyroll
Get ready to update your watchlists. 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for anime, with long-awaited returns, epic finales, and exciting new worlds on the horizon. Let's dive into the fifteen titles we're most excited to see.
Get ready to update your watchlists. 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for anime, with long-awaited returns, epic finales, and exciting new worlds on the horizon. Let's dive into the fifteen titles we're most excited to see.