The 12 Most Anticipated Anime of 2026

Posted on January 26, 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for anime fans. This year, long-awaited sequel seasons are finally happening, legendary anime franchises are making a comeback, and brand-new series are stepping in with serious hype! It’s the kind of lineup that makes you start planning your free time for binge-watching.

Let's Jump Right In!

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Season 2)
Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game (Part 1)
Oshi No Ko (Season 3)
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes (Season 2)
Trigun Stargaze
Hell’s Paradise (Season 2)
Fire Force (Season 3, Part 2)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (Part 7)
One Piece: Elbaph Arc
Witch Hat Atelier
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity
The Apothecary Diaries (Season 3)

If you love anime and you’re waiting for new, exciting anime series to drop, this list is for you! Grab your favorite Japanese snacks and let’s talk about the most anticipated anime of the year!

1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Season 2)

Japanese Name: 葬送のフリーレン (Sōsō no Furīren)
Release date: January 2026
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Frieren, an elf who lives much longer than humans, must learn how to understand time, memories, and the people she once traveled with. Season 2 follows Frieren as she continues her journey with Fern and Stark, traveling farther north toward the legendary land of Aureole. Along the way, they meet new people, face new challenges, and uncover more stories from the world around them.

One of the most loved anime of recent years, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, tells a fantasy story with thoughtful cinematography and emotionally rich reflection. The series received the 2025 “Best TV Series” award at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival, showing just how much it resonated with viewers. Many fans have been waiting patiently to return to Frieren’s journey, and Season 2 feels like a long-awaited continuation!

2. Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game (Part 1)

Japanese name: 呪術廻戦死滅回遊 (Jujutsu Kaisen Shimetsu Kaiyū)
Release date: January 2026
Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy

After the intense events of Season 2, Jujutsu Kaisen returns with even higher stakes. The world has fallen into chaos, cursed spirits are everywhere, and Yuji Itadori is now being hunted by the very people he once fought beside. Survival is no longer guaranteed.

Season 3 focuses on the Culling Game, a dangerous battle where sorcerers are forced to fight to the death under cruel rules created by the villain Kenjaku. Known for its fast-paced action and dramatic twists, this arc is packed with major fights and shocking moments that fans have been waiting to see animated.

3. Oshi No Ko (Season 3)

Japanese name: 推しの子 (Oshi No Ko)
Release date: January 2026
Genre: Drama, Mystery

Oshi no Ko mixes idol life, mystery, and emotional drama into one powerful story. It follows Ruby and Aqua, a doctor and his deceased patient who were reborn as twin children of a famous idol whose life was cut short. Both siblings enter the entertainment world, but for very different reasons.

In Season 3, Ruby’s idol group B-KOMACHI continues to grow in popularity, while Aqua moves forward with his acting career and quiet search for the truth behind his mother’s death. As their lives become more complicated, the past starts to catch up with them.

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4. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes (Season 2)

Japanese name: ヴィジランテ -僕のヒーローアカデミア ILLEGALS- (Vijirante Boku no Hīrō Akademia Irīgarusu)
Release date: January 2026
Genre: Adventure

The original My Hero Academia series might have ended, but Vigilantes continues exploring its world from a different angle. This series focuses on heroes who work without licenses, protecting people while breaking the rules to do so.

Season 2 looks deeper into the risks and moral questions of being an unlicensed hero. As crime grows more dangerous, these vigilantes must decide how far they are willing to go to help others. This will give fans a grittier and more realistic view of the My Hero Academia universe.

5. Trigun Stargaze

Japanese name: トライガン・スターゲイズ (Toraigan Sutāgeizu)
Release date: January 2026
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

This Trigun Stampede sequel, entitled Trigun Stargaze, continues the modern reimagining of the classic 1990s anime. Set years after the planet falls into chaos, the story follows Vash the Stampede as he is once again hunted, despite his desire to protect others and avoid violence.

It is expected to push the story into darker territory, focusing on Vash’s past, his enemies, and the consequences of his choices. Expect intense battles and emotional moments as the series builds toward its climax.

6. Hell’s Paradise (Season 2)

Japanese name: 地獄楽 (Jigokuraku)
Release date: January 2026
Genre: Dark Fantasy

After years of waiting, Hell’s Paradise finally returns with its highly anticipated second season. Gabimaru and the other death row convicts remain trapped on a mysterious island filled with deadly creatures, strange powers, and godlike beings known as the Tensens.

Season 2 raises the stakes as more fighters arrive on the island, leading to intense battles and shifting alliances. Alongside the action, the story continues to explore Gabimaru’s inner struggle and his desire to return home to his wife. Known for its brutal fights and emotional core, the series promises even darker twists and deeper answers this time around.

7. Fire Force (Season 3, Part 2)

Japanese name: 炎炎ノ消防隊 (Enen no Shōbōtai)
Release date: January 2026
Genre: Sci-Fi, Shonen

Fire Force enters its final chapter as Tokyo continues to burn from mysterious spontaneous human combustion. Shinra and Company 8 face their toughest enemies yet while uncovering long-hidden truths about the world and the source of the flames.

Announced as the series’ final season, Part 2 brings the story to its explosive conclusion. Fans can expect intense action, emotional moments, and answers that tie together everything built throughout the series.

8. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (Part 7)

Japanese name: ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 Part7 スティール・ボール・ラン (JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken: Sutīru Bōru Ran)
Release date: March 2026
Genre: Action-Adventure

While Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is famous for its wild style, dramatic poses, and unforgettable battles, the seventh installment, Steel Ball Run, takes the series in a new direction. It sets the story in 1890s America during a massive cross-country horse race.

The season follows Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli as they race across the country while uncovering secrets far more dangerous than the competition itself. Many fans consider this arc the best part of the JoJo manga, making its anime adaptation one of the most anticipated releases of the year.

9. One Piece: Elbaph Arc

Japanese name: ワンピースワンピース (Wan Pīsu Erubafu-hen)
Release date: April 2026
Genre: Action-Adventure

After more than two decades on air, One Piece continues to sail forward. The Elbaph Arc (can also be spelled Elbaf) finally takes the Straw Hat Pirates to the Land of Giants, a place that has been mentioned throughout the series for years.

This arc is expected to play a major role in the story’s final saga, revealing important information about the world, the Devil Fruits, and the World Government. As the adventure moves closer to its end, Elbaph is shaping up to be one of the most important arcs yet.

10. Witch Hat Atelier

Japanese name: とんがり帽子のアトリエ (Tongari Bōshi no Atorie)
Release date: April 2026
Genre: Fantasy

A new series, Witch Hat Atelier, is a fantasy anime built around curiosity, creativity, and the dangers of magic. Coco is an ordinary girl whose life changes when she accidentally learns how magic truly works. She is soon taken in by witches and begins training in a world where spells must be drawn carefully, and mistakes can be dangerous.

This series is an adaptation from a charming Japanese manga of the same title, with a drawing style similar to classic storybooks. While the series faced early production delays, the footage released so far has impressed fans with its soft, detailed animation and storybook style. Many fans believe this could become one of the standout fantasy series of the decade.

11. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity

Japanese name: BLEACH 千年血戦篇-禍進譚- (Burīchi: Sennen Kessen-hen - Kashin-tan)
Release date: July 2026
Genre: Action

One of anime’s most iconic series reaches its long-awaited conclusion with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity. Ichigo Kurosaki and his allies prepare for their final battle against Yhwach and the powerful Sternritter, a conflict that will decide the fate of multiple worlds.

With creator Tite Kubo heavily involved, this final arc features expanded scenes and improved pacing that were not present in the manga. Fans can expect large-scale battles, emotional goodbyes, and a satisfying conclusion to a series that defined a generation of anime viewers.

12. The Apothecary Diaries (Season 3)

Japanese name: 薬屋のひとりごと (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto)
Release date: October 2026
Genre: Historical, Drama

Set in a palace inspired by ancient China, The Apothecary Diaries blends mystery, history, and romance. The story follows Maomao, a clever and curious young woman who solves strange cases using her deep knowledge of medicine and poisons.

Season 3 continues exploring the secrets of the imperial court, including unanswered questions surrounding Loulan and her true identity. Fans are also eager to see how Maomao’s relationship with Jinshi develops, as their slow-burning romance remains a highlight of the series. With its calm pacing and clever storytelling, the new season promises more intrigue and emotional moments.

There you have it! Looking at this lineup, it’s hard not to feel excited about what’s coming. Some of these series have been years in the making, others are stepping into the spotlight for the first time, but all of them feel like they’re going to leave a mark on 2026.