2026 is off to a great start thanks to the hard-hitting anime returning this year, and here we’ll be covering some of the biggest upcoming shows.
So prepare your watch-list, and get ready to jump into 2026’s hottest anime. Whether you’re looking for a down-to-earth fantasy or an action-packed shonen, you’ll find something this year. And don’t worry, there’s plenty more to come.
1) Fate/strange Fake
After being teased with small releases, Ryōgo Narita’s masterpiece has finally arrived. Fate/strange Fake follows the adventures of Ayaka Sajyou, Saber, and the many participants of this fight for the Holy Grail. Join them as they navigate a world of monsters, vampires, and heroes from ages past. You’re sure to find a character to fall in love with in this grand tale. But be warned, not everything is as it seems.
With lots of stories, characters, and action, this anime may look like a lot to digest. But it’s fairly self-contained and requires no pre-existing knowledge of Fate to enjoy. So kick back, grab a snack, and join in the action. You’ll find yourself immersed in a world where legends and magic collide on Crunchyroll.
2) Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is nothing if not iconic. Hirohiko Araki’s hit manga has spawned countless seasons thanks to its endless well of new stories. Sometimes our protagonist will face off against vampires. Other times, we’ll follow a mafioso and his crusade against drugs. One thing’s for certain: the world of Jojo’s is wild, and the Joestar bloodline will always have a new face and a new adventure for us. After all the excitement of the previous season, we now start with a clean slate and a new protagonist, Johnny Joestar, a paraplegic ex-jockey.
Steel Ball Run follows Johnny and Gyro Zeppeli, master of a mystic art named the Spin, as they compete in the Steel Ball Run race: a horse race across 1890 America for a grand prize of 50 million dollars. But the race isn’t all they find, as there’s more to this race than meets the eye. Find out what that is when Steel Ball Run airs in March on Netflix.
3) Jujutsu Kaisen: Culling Game
Created by Gege Akutami, Jujutsu Kaisen follows Yuji Itadori as he fights the terrifying cursed spirits that plague the world. Praised for its stunning action scenes and flashy visuals, Jujutsu Kaisen has made its name as a juggernaut in the world of action anime. Follow Itadori and his classmates as they fight to end Sukuna, the King of Curses, and his reign of terror.
This season, we follow Itadori and his friend Megumi as they fight against the best jujutsu sorcerers in the Culling Games to save their teacher, Gojo, from the Prison Realm. But under the surface lie the big questions. What are the Culling Games? What evils lie beneath? And how can they stop them? If they want to find out, they only have one choice: fight and win. You can find out more on Crunchyroll as Season 3 continues airing.
4) Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht Rising
Madoka Magica is a series that captured the hearts of many for its darker take on the magical girl genre. Spawning multiple spinoffs and games, to say people love it is an understatement. The story follows Madoka Kaname and her friends as they navigate the world of evil witches and deception. But if they want to save the world, they have to ask one question: Is their wish worth the heartbreak of being a magical girl?
Now we return to their story. It is a heartfelt story with stunning visuals and epic fights where horror isn’t just the witches they fight. If you want to join in the excitement, Madoka Magica is available via Crunchyroll and Hulu. While the movie Rebellion is available to watch via Prime Video. Since the next stunning chapter is drawing near, you won’t want to miss it.
5) Fireren Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
The fantasy legend, Fieren Beyond Journey’s End is back with Season 2. We follow the titular character and her companions Fern and Stark on their quest to find Heaven. But if they want to find it, they’ll have to retrace Frieren’s last quest. Along the way they deal with monsters, demons, and themselves.
Season 1 ranked high on MyAnimeList and took the world by storm thanks to stunning visuals and a stunning story. It’s a story that many viewers have resonated with that covers grief, regret, and will make you hold your loved ones tight. If you’re looking for cute stories about the little things in live, catch Frieren and friends on Crunchyroll.
6) Oshi No Ko Season 3
The heartfelt story of a twin brother and sister has returned. With more drama and mystery we see Aqua and Ruby navigate their lives after season 2. Ruby continues her quest to the top to honor her mother. Meanwhile, Aqua only has one goal, discover their father’s identity and protect Ruby at all costs.
Not only does it show the Hoshinos’ story, but it also shows the ins and outs of the idol industry. With beloved characters such as Kana Arima, Mem-Cho, and Akane Kurokawa giving their own experiences, the story won’t get boring. If you’re looking for a dramatic story with lots of heart and character moments, then check out Oshi No Ko‘s Season 3 on Crunchyroll.
7. Needy Streamer Overload
The viral video game filled with frills and thrills hits the anime scene with an early viewing in March 2026. Needy Streamer Overload hid a dark, depressing story under the mask of a cutesy game. Needy Streamer Overload follows Ame-chan and her friend P-chan. When Ame wants to be the queen of streaming, she turns to P-chan to help her. This game puts you in charge of reminding her to take her meds, setting up streams, and managing her stats to ensure she leads a healthy life.
But despite your best efforts, Ame will inevitably fail in one of many endings. Since the game had many endings, it’s unknown how it will be covered. But if you want to see something with a surprising depth to it, keep your eyes peeled for Needy Streamer Overload. You can find this game on Steam or watch the various playthroughs of it.
8) Witch Hat Atelier
Among the sea of familiar faces, there’s one anime that aims to make a name for itself this year. Witch Hat Atelier follows Coco, a girl with an interest in magic who wants to become a witch. But after replicating the spell of a witch she sees, Coco accidentally turns her mother to stone. Qifrey, the man she learned it from, then decides to take her as his apprentice to help undo the spell and fulfill her dream.
A story about the trials and tribulations of becoming a witch, Witch Hat Atellier will tug on your heartstrings and have you glued to your seat. A well-beloved manga now enters the anime scene after a 1 year delay. If there’s one anime you don’t want to miss, it’s this one.
Want more anime?
There are still plenty of anime not covered here. For example, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 Part 3, Dr. Stone Future Part 3, and the reboot of cult classic, Ghost in the Shell, are fast approaching. And who knows? There may even be some surprise releases, too. The world of anime is vast, and you’ll surely find something worth adding to your watch list.
