2025 was one of the most successful years for anime ever, as it clearly ushered in a new golden age for the Japanese animation industry. Thanks to expanding viewership, greater access to anime streaming, and its growing popularity around the world, there are more brilliant anime than ever. From the everyday shounen silliness of Days of Sakamoto taking Netflix by storm to the massive $80 million success of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, 2025 has been an epic year for some of our favorite series. But that’s another article (read our Best Anime Series of 2025 reward); instead, we're here to take a look at our most anticipated anime of 2026, a year that could potentially surpass 2025 for the number of landmark releases and expected comebacks.
Buoyed by the massive success and continuing cultural influence of anime, 2026 is filled with incredible new series and blockbuster sequels, such as: the second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, the emotionally driven fantasy quest that everyone has been talking about; a new look at Ghost in the Shell, one of the most seminal anime of all time from one of the best studios working today; and the long-awaited debut of Witch Hat Atelier. And these are just a few examples of anime that could make 2026 another incredible year.
We can't wait to see what genres will evolve, what existential themes will persist, and where the future of anime is headed. Who are our favorite creators? What manga sold off the charts? What genre haven't we had a hit in a long time? We take all this into consideration as we present a list of anime we can't wait to watch in 2026!
Freeze: Beyond Journey's End Season 2
There's a reason why Freeze: Beyond Journey's End made our list of the best anime of 2024, and now we're closer than ever to finally finding out where our favorite group of adventurers is now. This surprisingly existential and always fantastic twist on dungeon raiding anime became an instant classic, asking the question of what will happen when the war ends and the demon king is defeated. The series follows the immortal elf Friren, who experiences the loss of her campaign party – Eisen, Himmel and Hayter – with whom she won the war. It is only through friendship and adventure with a new human student that she begins to come to terms with her loss and what she could have done differently. This is a majestically mature and magical thing.
Oshi no Ko season 3
Featuring one of the craziest and most unique productions ever – a doctor and his former patient are reincarnated as twins born to their favorite pop idol, who is then murdered – this show is a must-see. A murderous mystery supernatural crime thriller set in a stunning landscape of idol stars. Oshi no Ko has been gaining momentum since its debut in 2023. The third season will follow the children of Aqua and Ruby Hoshino as they continue their careers in the entertainment industry, which will lead to a growing gap between them. The manga the series is based on has recently generated a lot of controversy, so it will be interesting to see if the series stays true to the source material or deviates from that path.
Jujutsu Kaisen season 3
After the shocking events of the third season's “Shibuya Incident” Jujutsu Kaisen It's a lot to take on. There have been tragic deaths, huge losses, and unexpected team-ups, but the biggest thing we'll have to deal with is Yuuji's looming execution and the creation of a wild “Selection Game” arc that will see the team take part in some crazy jujutsu kumite! It's one of the biggest shonen anime in the world, as well as one of the most read manga, so if you're not already aware, now is the time to get ready before the third season comes out and changes everything we know about the series.
Demons of the Shadow Realm
Fans of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials will love the concept of this new anime series, which will debut in early 2026. It comes from Fullmetal Alchemist creator Hiromu Arakawa and is an adaptation of her manga of the same name. This is an outstanding shoju narrative with shonen elements in which a brother and sister must fight to unite in a world where a select group of people are able to manifest powers through “supernatural duos” or “supernatural duos”. Demons. Together, estranged twins Yuri and Asya will have to find each other and learn to control their powers to save the world from those who cannot.
Witch Hat Atelier
No one was sure that Kamome Shirahama's stunningly complex work could be transferred to the screen with the necessary care and detail. Bug Films actually delayed production Witch Hat Atelier so director Ayumu Watanabe and his team were able to take all the time necessary to make the anime as good as the popular manga deserves. If you haven't watched the massive Kodansha Magic Academy series yet, it centers around a young girl who wants nothing more than to master magic. When she accidentally learns the secret of the art from a visiting witch, she becomes his student and learns much more about the fantasy world in which she finds herself. Judging by the trailer, it has all the ingredients to become a classic; We'll find out next year!
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run
It's always exciting when we get a new installment in Hirohiko Araki's crazy crime epic. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Decades later, it is still one of the most unique and interesting anime and manga. The new sixth season is an adaptation of the manga's seventh story arc, “Ball of Steel,” which features new clan member Johnny Joestar, a former jockey and paraplegic from the American West. Functioning more as a standalone story than any other arc, it's a great place for new viewers. She definitely has a compelling hook: Johnny must team up with the executioner to take part in a cross-country race known as the “Steel Ball”. You will find racing, battles and fashion that will make even the most daring fashionistas blush.
Fate/strange fake
Speaking of unique and vibrant takes on the characters we love, the light novel series Fate/strange fake is a wild take on fantasy quests, as well as a thought-provoking story about how much control each of us has over our own destiny. Of course, we can't wait for the historical anime adaptation to hit the screens, especially for those who may not be aware of the shocking setting or what it means for the characters we meet. Those of you who love Sword Art Online, Lord of Mysteries, or any other Fate game will likely fall head over heels for this game when it releases in 2026.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3
As noted earlier, we are living in a new golden age of anime, and one of the brightest and best examples of this is The Apothecary's Diariesin which a street urchin is drawn into a walled palace and must use her wits to survive as she becomes entangled in endless court intrigue. Earning his place through his incredible detective skills and abilities as an apothecary, Maomao exists in the unique setting of a series based on the mystery-of-the-week formula. This is an unexpectedly deep and thoughtful show that touches on a lot of complex topics while still being consistently entertaining and surprising. It will be interesting to see how the third season maintains these stakes while still building on its emotional core.
Ghost in the Shell (2026)
Sure, it's another take on one of the most famous anime of all time, but it comes from the brilliant minds at Science Saru, so it can't help but make our list. We're excited to see what one of the most daring and innovative studios will do with Masamune Shirou's groundbreaking, iconic cyberpunk anime. If you haven't discovered Ghost in the Shell yet, you're in luck – it's about a high-tech cyborg cop named Motoko Kusanagi who hunts down a hacker targeting cyborgs like herself. Considering its history, this could be the biggest anime hit of 2026.
Bleach: Thousand Years of Blood War – Calamity
Disney+ has finally returned to the famous anime game with Bleach: A Thousand Years of Bloody WarFourth and final part: The Calamity. Designed as the end of an epic, it will tie up all the loose ends with the adventures of Soul Reaper Kurosaki Ichigo in the demon-filled world he protects. It's going to be beautiful, brutal, and one of the most talked about anime endings in years, so don't miss out on the discourse and drama when Calamity releases in 2026!
Which anime of 2026 do you think is the most anticipated? Did we miss a loved one? Are you even more excited than we are about one of our options? Let us know in the comments.
