The Ultimate Guide to Upcoming Anime You Absolutely Need on Your 2026 Watchlist
2026 is about to become the most stacked year in anime history. We’re not exaggerating—the lineup of upcoming anime hitting our screens this year is absolutely insane. From legendary manga finally getting adaptations to sequels everyone’s been begging for, this year is going to redefine what we expect from the medium.
Whether you’re deep in the anime trenches or just casually looking for your next obsession, the new anime releases coming in 2026 have something that’ll grab you. We’ve scoured announcements, studio reveals, and industry buzz to bring you the definitive guide to anime coming soon. Buckle up, because your watchlist is about to explode.
Most Anticipated Upcoming Anime
These are the titles that have the entire anime community in a chokehold. Social media is buzzing, pre-orders are breaking records, and the hype is completely justified.
Berserk: The Black Swordsman Arc
Release: Fall 2026
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Action, Horror
It’s finally happening. After decades of fans demanding a proper adaptation, Studio MAPPA is taking on Berserk with the budget and respect it deserves. This isn’t a continuation—it’s a complete reimagining of Guts’ story starting from the Black Swordsman arc.
The 1997 anime was legendary but incomplete. The 2016 version… let’s not talk about that. MAPPA’s track record with dark, intense narratives (Attack on Titan, Chainsaw Man) makes them the perfect fit. Early concept art shows they’re committing to Miura’s grotesque, beautiful art style. This upcoming anime series is going to be brutal, emotional, and absolutely essential viewing.
Manga readers know this story is lightning in a bottle. For newcomers, imagine the darkest fantasy you’ve ever seen, then go darker. This is the adaptation Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece always deserved.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Culling Game Arc
Release: Summer 2026
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Dark Fantasy
After that devastating Shibuya arc finale, MAPPA is diving straight into what manga readers call the most complex and ambitious arc yet. The Culling Game introduces dozens of new sorcerers, raises the stakes to apocalyptic levels, and completely reshapes the series’ power dynamics.
What makes this upcoming anime so highly anticipated is how it pays off everything established before. Characters we’ve grown to love face impossible choices. New characters bring fresh energy. The fights get more creative and visceral. MAPPA has already proven they can handle Jujutsu Kaisen’s kinetic action—now they’re tackling its most intricate storytelling.
The manga’s weekly release schedule had fans losing their minds chapter after chapter. Seeing these moments animated with MAPPA’s signature style? Absolute cinema.
Solo Leveling Season 2
Release: January 2026
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Dungeon Crawling
Season 1 broke the internet, and Season 2 is coming in hot. Jinwoo’s journey from weakest hunter to absolute powerhouse continues, and if you thought Season 1 was hype, you haven’t seen anything yet.
This season adapts arcs that manhwa readers have been dying to see animated. The fights get bigger, the stakes get personal, and Jinwoo faces threats that actually challenge him. A-1 Pictures absolutely understood the assignment with Season 1, and they’re clearly not holding back for the sequel.
The visual spectacle alone makes this new anime release unmissable. But it’s the character development—watching Jinwoo grapple with his growing power and the isolation it brings—that elevates Solo Leveling beyond pure action spectacle.
Chainsaw Man Season 2
Release: Late 2026
Genre: Action, Horror, Dark Comedy
Denji returns, and the chaos is about to reach new levels of unhinged. Season 1 ended at a perfect stopping point, but manga readers know what’s coming next will absolutely shatter expectations.
MAPPA is back, the insane directorial vision that made Season 1 special is intact, and this upcoming anime series is adapting material that somehow gets even more wild. The emotional gut-punches hit harder. The action gets more creative. The horror elements dive deeper into genuinely disturbing territory.
What separates Chainsaw Man from other shounen is its refusal to play by the rules. Characters you love aren’t safe. The protagonist’s motivations remain refreshingly simple yet relatable. And the ending of this arc… let’s just say the internet will break multiple times.
New Anime Originals
Original anime live in a special category. No source material to compare against, no manga readers dropping spoilers—just pure creative vision. These upcoming anime originals are swinging for the fences.
Project Titan
Release: Spring 2026
Genre: Mecha, Sci-Fi, Military
Studio Trigger is doing what they do best—creating an over-the-top original mecha anime that looks completely bonkers in the best way possible. Set in a future where humanity builds colossal mechs to fight in interplanetary wars, Project Titan promises the explosive energy that made Gurren Lagann and Kill la Kill legendary.
The creative team includes veterans from Evangelion and Gundam, which already tells you this won’t be just giant robots punching each other (though there will be plenty of that). Early promotional material hints at deep themes about warfare, identity, and what it means to pilot machines designed for destruction.
Trigger has earned the trust of anime fans worldwide. When they announce an original mecha project, you pay attention. This anime coming soon has potential to be the next big thing that everyone cosplays at conventions.
The Last Alchemist
Release: Summer 2026
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery
CloverWorks is crafting something special here. In a world where alchemy has been forgotten and replaced by industrial magic, one young woman discovers she’s the last person who can practice true alchemical arts. Now she must uncover why alchemy was erased from history before powerful forces silence her permanently.
The concept blends steampunk aesthetics with classic fantasy worldbuilding. What’s getting fans excited is CloverWorks’ commitment to character-driven storytelling. This isn’t just about cool magic systems—it’s about conspiracy, legacy, and fighting against a world that’s moved on from you.
Original anime often take risks that adaptations can’t. The Last Alchemist looks like it’s leveraging that freedom to tell a genuinely unique story that could surprise everyone.
Neon Shadows
Release: Fall 2026
Genre: Cyberpunk, Thriller, Noir
Imagine Blade Runner meets Cowboy Bebop with a murder mystery at its core. Neon Shadows follows a burned-out detective in a neon-soaked megacity investigating murders that connect to a decades-old conspiracy involving artificial intelligence and human consciousness.
Studio Wit is behind this, and their ability to craft atmospheric, adult-oriented anime (Vinland Saga, Ranking of Kings) inspires serious confidence. The voice cast includes legendary seiyuu, and the soundtrack is being composed by someone whose previous work defined entire anime soundscapes.
This new anime release targets an older demographic tired of high school settings and power fantasy wish fulfillment. It’s gritty, morally complex, and looks visually stunning. Adult anime fans have been asking for more mature content—this could be exactly what we need.
Upcoming Anime Sequels
Sometimes you don’t want something new. You want to return to worlds you already love and see where the story goes next. These sequels are answering prayers and fulfilling promises.
Attack on Titan: The Final Chapters – The End
Release: Early 2026
Genre: Action, Drama, Dark Fantasy
Yes, it’s actually ending this time. MAPPA is adapting the absolute final portion of Eren’s story with what they’re calling a feature-length finale. The manga’s ending was… divisive, to put it mildly. But regardless of where you fall on that debate, watching this conclusion animated is essential.
The scale of the final battle is incomprehensible. The emotional beats hit like freight trains. Characters you’ve followed for years face their ultimate moments. MAPPA has consistently delivered cinematic quality for Attack on Titan, and they’re clearly saving their best work for the finale.
This upcoming anime series conclusion will dominate discourse. People will argue about it, analyze it, create video essays dissecting every frame. It’s appointment viewing for anyone who’s been on this journey since 2013.
Blue Lock Season 3
Release: Spring 2026
Genre: Sports, Psychological, Action
The U-20 World Cup arc is coming, and it’s going to be absolutely electric. Blue Lock took the sports anime formula and injected it with battle shounen intensity. Season 3 continues that trend while expanding the scope beyond Japan’s borders.
Isagi’s evolution as a striker reaches new heights. The matches get more tactical and brutal. New players bring fresh dynamics and challenge our protagonists in ways that force genuine growth. Studio 8bit captured the manga’s manic energy perfectly in previous seasons, and they’re clearly not slowing down.
For anyone who thought sports anime couldn’t compete with action shounen for pure hype moments, Blue Lock has been proving them wrong. This new anime release will have you screaming at your screen during soccer matches.
Spy x Family Season 3
Release: Summer 2026
Genre: Action, Comedy, Slice of Life
The Forger family returns for more wholesome chaos. Loid continues his spy missions, Yor keeps accidentally destroying everything, and Anya reads everyone’s minds while being the most adorable agent of chaos in anime history.
Season 3 adapts arcs that manga fans adore. The comedy gets sharper, the action sequences more intense, and the family dynamics even more heartwarming. Wit Studio and CloverWorks proved they understand this series’ unique blend of genres, and they’re delivering more of what made the first two seasons so universally beloved.
In a landscape of increasingly dark and violent anime, Spy x Family offers something different—genuine heart combined with actual quality. It’s one of those rare shows you can recommend to literally anyone, and Season 3 will remind everyone why this family captured the world’s attention.
Vinland Saga Season 3
Release: Fall 2026
Genre: Historical, Action, Drama
Thorfinn’s journey continues into what manga readers consider the series’ most ambitious and emotionally devastating arc yet. After Season 2’s exploration of redemption and pacifism, Season 3 tests those ideals against brutal reality.
MAPPA’s adaptation has been nothing short of masterful. They’ve captured the manga’s artistic beauty, philosophical depth, and visceral violence with equal care. Season 3 ventures into uncharted territory that will challenge everything you think you know about this story.
This upcoming anime series represents historical fiction at its finest. It’s not just about Vikings and battles—it’s about the cycle of violence, the possibility of change, and whether humans can ever truly escape their nature. Heavy stuff, but executed brilliantly.
Hidden Gems to Watch
Every season has shows that fly under the radar until someone discovers them and spreads the word. These anime coming soon deserve more attention than they’re currently getting.
Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon) Season 2
Release: Winter 2026
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure, Cooking
Wait, this is a hidden gem? Absolutely. Despite Season 1’s quality, it still hasn’t reached the mainstream audience it deserves. Season 2 continues Laios and his party’s journey through the dungeon, cooking and eating monsters while searching for his sister.
What seems like a silly comedy premise transforms into genuinely compelling fantasy with real stakes, complex worldbuilding, and character development that sneaks up on you. Studio Trigger captures both the comedic timing and the darker undertones perfectly.
Manga readers know this series goes places you absolutely won’t predict. If you slept on Season 1, now’s your chance to catch up before Season 2 proves why this deserves to be in every conversation about great fantasy anime.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Release: Spring 2026
Genre: Mystery, Historical, Drama
Maomao returns to solve more medical mysteries in ancient China’s imperial court. Season 1 quietly became one of 2023’s best shows through word-of-mouth, and Season 2 adapts material that kicks everything up several notches.
The mysteries get more complex. The court intrigue deepens. The relationship between Maomao and Jinshi develops in ways that feel earned rather than forced. OLM and TOHO Animation Studio proved they could handle this series’ delicate balance of mystery, comedy, and subtle romance.
This new anime release deserves to be on every mystery fan’s radar. It’s smart, beautifully produced, and features a protagonist who solves problems through knowledge and observation rather than superpowers or violence.
SHY Season 2
Release: Summer 2026
Genre: Superhero, Action, Coming-of-Age
While everyone’s focused on battle shounen and isekai, SHY is quietly delivering one of the most heartfelt superhero stories in anime. Teru, Japan’s painfully shy hero, faces new threats while learning what it truly means to protect people.
Season 1 established this series’ unique approach to superhero narratives—focusing on emotional connection and understanding rather than just punching villains into submission. Season 2 expands the global scope while maintaining that intimate character work.
Studio 8bit is crafting something genuinely different in the superhero space. If you want an alternative to grim, violent superhero content, SHY offers hope, empathy, and characters who save people through connection. It’s refreshing and needed.
Sengoku Youko
Release: Continuing through 2026
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
This split-cour release continues adapting Satoshi Mizukami’s beloved manga. Following a fox spirit, a swordsman, and a cowardly warrior on a journey through feudal Japan, this series combines monster-of-the-week episodic storytelling with an overarching narrative that builds to something epic.
What makes Sengoku Youko special is its patience. It takes time to develop characters, explore themes, and build a world that feels lived-in. White Fox is handling the adaptation with care, capturing both the manga’s action and its quieter emotional moments.
Mizukami’s works (Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer, Planet With) have cult followings for good reason. His stories embrace sincerity without cynicism. Sengoku Youko is that same energy with samurai and yokai, and it deserves more eyes on it.
Medalist
Release: Winter 2026
Genre: Sports, Drama
Figure skating anime with genuine attention to the sport’s technical aspects and emotional intensity. Medalist follows Inori, a young girl who’s “too old” to start competitive figure skating at 11, and Tsukasa, a former skater who becomes her coach. Together, they chase an impossible dream.
The manga is beloved for its realistic portrayal of sports training—the pain, the setbacks, the small victories that keep you going. ENGI Studio isn’t the flashiest name, but they’re clearly passionate about this project and the source material.
Sports anime fans who loved Run with the Wind or Chihayafuru for their grounded approach should absolutely check this upcoming anime out. It’s about the journey, not just the medals, and that makes it special.
What Makes 2026 Different
Looking at this year’s lineup, something significant is happening. Studios are taking bigger swings. Adaptations are getting the budgets and time they need. Original anime are telling stories that wouldn’t have gotten greenlit five years ago.
The anime industry is maturing in the best ways. We’re getting more variety in genres, tones, and target demographics. Shows aimed at adults are getting serious production values. Lesser-known manga are getting chances to shine. The medium is expanding while maintaining what makes it special.
Competition between studios has reached new heights, which means everyone’s raising their game. Technology improves every year—motion capture, CGI integration, color grading all look better than ever. But it’s still the core elements—storytelling, character development, emotional resonance—that make anime special.
2026 isn’t just about quantity. It’s about quality and diversity. There’s genuinely something here for everyone, from hardcore fans to curious newcomers.
Your 2026 Anime Journey Starts Here
This list only scratches the surface. Throughout 2026, more upcoming anime will be announced, surprise hits will emerge from nowhere, and shows you didn’t expect to love will become obsessions.
The best part about being an anime fan right now? The community. Watching these shows as they air, discussing theories, sharing fan art, freaking out over cliffhangers together—that’s what makes this experience special. These aren’t just TV shows; they’re cultural moments we all share.
Your watchlist is probably overwhelming right now. Start with whatever catches your eye first. Trust your instincts. Sometimes the show you randomly pick becomes your new favorite. That’s the magic of anime—you never know what’s going to completely change your taste or introduce you to new genres you’ll love.
Keep hianime.now bookmarked for the latest updates, release date announcements, and deep dives into everything anime. We’ll be covering these shows as they drop, providing guides, reviews, and community reactions.
2026 is going to be legendary. The only question is: what are you watching first?
