Most Anticipated Anime of 2026

It might feel a bit early, but there’s no better time to start tracking the anime trends set to shape 2026. From long-awaited sequels of fan-favorite series to exciting new adaptations straight from the pages of hit manga, the upcoming year is already shaping up to be incredibly diverse and full of potential.

In this guide, we spotlight some of the most anticipated TV anime and anime films confirmed for 2026, as well as major titles that are still awaiting release dates but generating serious buzz.

I’ll be updating this article as new announcements come in—so be sure to bookmark this page and stay in sync with the latest in anime!

What Defined Anime in 2025?

In the 2020s, anime has continued to grow as a truly global phenomenon—more recognized, more celebrated, and more accessible than ever before. 2025 delivered exactly what fans hoped for: high-quality original works and powerful sequels to beloved series. Some long-awaited titles, like One Punch Man Season 3, finally returned after years of silence, reigniting excitement across the fandom.

The winter season saw a trend where sequels were announced almost immediately after a finale—Re:Zero Season 3, Blue Box, and Medalist all confirmed follow-ups right after their latest episodes aired, a welcome pattern for eager viewers. On the other hand, major franchises like Dr. Stone and My Hero Academia entered their final chapters, reminding us that no story lasts forever.

Meanwhile, anime films continued to make waves, with massive franchises opting for theatrical releases over seasonal TV formats. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc followed in the footsteps of 2020’s Mugen Train, establishing a trend where cinematic storytelling becomes the new standard for major arcs.

In short, 2025 was a year of renewal and resolution—a dynamic mix of fresh titles and emotional farewells, marking yet another milestone in anime’s evolving legacy.

▽Check the latest anime trend in 2025!▽

▶︎20 Best Anime of 2025 Along with This Year’s Worst and Upcoming Titles

▶︎List of the Best Anime Movies of 2025

What to Expect from Anime in 2026

Looking ahead, 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for anime fans. Highly anticipated sequels like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 and Oshi no Ko Season 3 are officially on the calendar. Several other major titles have been announced but are still waiting on confirmed air dates—some of them may very well join the 2026 lineup as the year unfolds.

There’s also growing buzz around the potential return of legendary directors. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen new films from global icons like Hayao Miyazaki, Makoto Shinkai, or Mamoru Hosoda—and fans are hoping that 2026 could mark their next big releases.

Another trend continuing into 2026 is the rise of recut compilation films—theatrical adaptations that re-edit key arcs from anime series into movie format. Sound! Euphonium: The Final Movie is one such title already confirmed, and it’s a welcome format for longtime fans looking to revisit a beloved story in a new light.

All signs point to a rich, diverse year filled with both highly anticipated continuations and possible surprise announcements that could define the anime landscape for years to come.

Most Anticipated Anime Series of 2026

1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 / Anticipation: ★★★★★

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (葬送のフリーレン) aired its first season from September 2023 to March 2024, spanning 28 episodes. Despite being a recent title, it quickly rose to the top of MyAnimeList’s all-time rankings (https://myanimelist.net/topanime.php), a rare achievement that speaks to its quiet power and emotional resonance.

The anime, produced by Madhouse, faithfully brings the original manga’s world to life with stunning visuals and thoughtful storytelling. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 is set to premiere in January 2026, continuing Frieren’s journey alongside Fern, now a first-class mage, and the warrior Stark.

If you haven’t seen it yet, now’s the time. With just 28 episodes, Frieren is easy to catch up on—and with its rich themes and gentle pacing, it’s a series that may well go down in anime history. It’s also one of the best starting points for anime newcomers today.

Synopsis:
After defeating the Demon King alongside Hero Himmel and bringing peace to the world, the elf mage Frieren sets off on a solitary journey. When she returns 50 years later, she finds Himmel aged and near the end of his life—while she herself remains unchanged. Witnessing his death, Frieren regrets never truly understanding humans. To make up for lost time, she embarks on a new journey to learn what it means to connect—with people, memories, and the passing of time.

Release date: January 2026

Official Website: https://frieren-anime.jp/

2. Oshi no Ko Season 3 / Anticipation: ★★★★★

Blending idol culture with mystery and emotional drama, Oshi no Ko (【推しの子】) explores the darker side of Japan’s cutting-edge entertainment world. Based on the hit manga by Aka Akasaka, the creator of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, the series captivated fans with its gripping narrative. The manga concluded in 2024, but the anime adaptation—produced by Doga Kobo—continues to shine.

Since its debut in 2023, Oshi no Ko has delivered 11 episodes in Season 1 and 13 episodes in Season 2, both praised for their exceptional animation and storytelling quality. With just 24 episodes so far, it’s still easy for new viewers to catch up—and they should, because Season 3 is officially set for release sometime in 2026. With the bar already set sky-high, expectations couldn’t be higher.

Synopsis:
The story enters a new phase—six months after the release of “POP IN 2,” B-Komachi is on the verge of stardom thanks in part to MEMcho’s efforts. Aqua is rising as a versatile talent, Akane is thriving as a serious actress, but Kana begins to lose her former spark. Meanwhile, Ruby dives deeper into the entertainment world, determined to uncover the truth behind Ai and Gorou’s deaths—wielding lies as her greatest weapon.

Release date: 2026

Official Website: https://ichigoproduction.com/Season3/

3. Trigun Stargaze / Anticipation: ★★★★★

One of the slickest and most visually striking anime of 2023 was Trigun Stampede—and its much-anticipated second season is coming under the new title Trigun Stargaze. This continuation picks up the legacy of a franchise that began in the 1990s but feels fresher than ever.

Trigun originally debuted as a manga in the late ’90s and was first adapted into an anime by Madhouse in 1998, quickly gaining a passionate fanbase worldwide. Now, the series has been reimagined for a new generation by Studio Orange, known for their cutting-edge CG animation.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Trigun Stargaze continues the story of Vash the Stampede, a pacifist gunslinger navigating moral conflict and explosive battles. From its modern storytelling to its stunning visuals and sharp character design, this sequel promises the same top-tier quality that made Stampede a standout hit.

Synopsis:
On the scorching planet of Noman’s Land—far from Earth and lit by five moons—humanity survives using “plants,” bio-reactors capable of creating matter from nothing. Amid this harsh world roams Vash the Stampede, a notorious outlaw with a 6-million double-dollar bounty, known as the “Humanoid Typhoon.” But when rookie reporter Meryl and her jaded partner Roberto meet him, they find a cheerful pacifist. Together with undertaker Wolfwood, Vash sets off to confront his dark twin brother, Knives, and uncover a planet-shaking conspiracy.

Release date: 2026

Official Website: https://trigun-anime.com/

4. Hell’s Paradise Season 2 / Anticipation: ★★★★☆

After its gripping 13-episode run in 2023, Hell’s Paradise (地獄楽), known as Jigokuraku in Japanese, quickly became one of the most talked-about dark fantasy anime of the year—and fans have been eagerly awaiting its return ever since. The wait is nearly over: Season 2 premieres in January 2026.

Set in Japan’s Edo period, the series blends traditional historical elements with modern character design and fluid, intense action sequences, attracting a global fanbase. Produced by MAPPA, the powerhouse behind Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, the high production quality remains in safe hands for the upcoming season.

Based on the completed 13-volume manga, Season 2 is expected to push the story well past its halfway point—raising speculation that the anime could conclude by Season 3. This time, the journey through the mysterious island of Shinsenkyo deepens, introducing new characters and even deadlier challenges.

Synopsis:
In the final years of Japan’s Edo period, Gabimaru, once the strongest ninja of the Iwagakure clan, is captured and sentenced to death. Offered a pardon if he can retrieve the mythical Elixir of Life, he journeys to a mysterious island with the executioner Sagiri. There, they face rival criminals, monstrous creatures, eerie artificial statues, and enigmatic immortals. As deadly secrets unfold, Gabimaru must fight to survive and reunite with the wife he longs to see again.

Release date: January 2026

Official Website: https://www.jigokuraku.com/

5. The Darwin Incident / Anticipation: ★★★★☆

Since its debut in 2020, The Darwin Incident (ダーウィン事変) has drawn widespread attention as a socially charged suspense manga tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time. Now, the groundbreaking story is getting its long-awaited anime adaptation in January 2026.

The series follows a genetically engineered “humanzee”—a hybrid between a human and a chimpanzee—trying to navigate life within Japanese society. It’s a provocative premise that challenges notions of identity, humanity, and acceptance.

The anime is being produced by Bellnox Films, a brand-new studio making its debut with this daring project. At the helm is Naokatsu Tsuda, known for directing JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind and Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet. With only eight manga volumes released so far, this adaptation is as cutting-edge as it gets—bringing a still-evolving narrative to the screen while it’s fresh.

Synopsis:
Charlie is a “humanzee”—a hybrid born with human-level intelligence and the strength of a chimpanzee—raised by foster parents in rural Missouri. At 15, he attends school for the first time and meets Lucy, a brilliant but socially awkward classmate. But his peaceful new life is shattered when a radical animal liberation group, ALA, targets him. To protect his loved ones, Charlie must confront terrorism, discrimination, and human rights issues—through the eyes of someone who isn’t fully human.

Release date: January 2026

Official Website: https://darwinsincident.net/

Most Anticipated Anime Movies of 2026

1. Sound! Euphonium: The Final Movie / Anticipation: ★★★★☆

Among the finest works produced by Kyoto Animation, one of today’s most celebrated anime studios, Sound! Euphonium stands as a modern classic. In 2026, the story will reach its cinematic conclusion with Sound! Euphonium: The Final Movie (最終楽章 響け!ユーフォニアム).

The film is expected to serve as a compilation of Season 3, which aired in 2024, while hopefully introducing new scenes or perspectives. As always, the series captures both the quiet beauty and emotional struggles of high school life through the lens of a concert band.

That said, this film isn’t intended for newcomers. To fully appreciate Kumiko’s journey, viewers need to watch all three seasons (39 episodes) and two prior movies. But let us be clear—Sound! Euphonium is absolutely worth that commitment. It’s a story that resonates long after the music fades, and this final chapter promises to leave a lasting impression.

Synopsis:
As spring begins, Kumiko Oumae enters her final year at Kitauji High School, now leading the concert band as club president. With hopes for a national gold medal and uncertainty about her new role, Kumiko faces new challenges—especially with the arrival of transfer student Mayu Kuroe, a euphonium player with flawless skill and a mysterious air. As competition intensifies and graduation approaches, Kumiko must navigate complex emotions, leadership responsibilities, and one last year devoted to music and friendship.

Release date: 2026

Official Website: https://anime-eupho.com/

2. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: The Movie – Tears of the Blue Sea / Anticipation: ★★★☆☆

The hit isekai anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is returning to the big screen with a brand-new film, Tears of the Blue Sea (劇場版 転生したらスライムだった件 蒼海の涙編), set to premiere in February 2026. Beloved across all age groups, the series has already delivered three anime seasons since its debut in 2018, with a fourth season now officially in production.

This marks the second theatrical film in the franchise, following 2022’s Scarlet Bond, which was based on an original story by the series’ creator. Fans can likely expect another surprising and unpredictable plot with Tears of the Blue Sea, continuing to expand Rimuru’s world in ways that even manga and light novel readers may not anticipate.

With its wide-reaching popularity and high-quality storytelling, this new movie is a must-watch for long-time fans of the series—and an exciting addition to the ever-growing Slime universe.

Synopsis:
Rimuru, once an ordinary human reincarnated as a slime, embarks on a journey through a fantasy world filled with dragons, goblins, dwarves, ogres, and more. Along the way, he learns about the world’s structure and its hidden powers. Using unique skills, sharp wit, and courage, Rimuru builds alliances across species—sometimes through humor, sometimes in serious conflict. At the end of his path lies a powerful presence: the Demon Lords. This is the story of a slime who changes the world.

Release date: February 2026

Official Website: https://movie02.ten-sura.com/

Could These 2026 Anime Become All-Time Greats?

There’s no doubt that 2026 is shaping up to be a promising year. Titles like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Oshi no Ko have already proven their high quality—and depending on how their new seasons unfold, they could very well join the ranks of the greatest anime of all time.

That said, the titles featured in my curated lists—30 Best Anime of All Time and 30 Best Anime Movies of All Time—are not so easily outmatched. As a fan, though, I genuinely hope to see this legacy challenged by what’s to come.

---

▽Related Articles▽