The year 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the anime industry with the return of Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run. However, on the manga front, it’s a time when legacies are being defined.
Some series will end with regret while still at their peak, while others choose to conclude at the right moment to preserve their story’s value before falling into the trap of overpowered power-ups.
1. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Although the manga ended in 2022, Kaguya’s journey on screen continues. After A-1 Pictures focused on Solo Leveling, the Kaguya project was deprioritized. The good news for fans is that the final movie will feature completely original content.
According to creator Akasaka, this project has been in the works for four years. With the mangaka personally involved in writing the film’s ending, fans can be confident their beloved characters will receive a fair and satisfying conclusion, even if it differs from the manga.
2. Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo
The Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo sequel was never intended to drag on. Scheduled to end in early 2026, Modulo will be wrapped up in about three chapters. Gege Akutami’s return to helm this part is already considered a miracle by the sorcerer community.
While some fans feel disappointed by its brevity, this was a smart move by Akutami. He expanded on the post-Culling Game world and explored complex aspects of cursed energy without diluting the original series’ intense drama.
3. Blue Box (Ao no Hako)
As a high school romance story, Blue Box can’t last forever. With Taiki now in his third year, fans know the farewell is near. Author Kouji Miura confirmed at Jump Festa that the series is heading toward its finish line on its fifth anniversary.
Only two major plot points remain: Taiki’s explosive performance at the national badminton tournament to fulfill his dream, and Hina confronting her lingering feelings. The final chapters of this badminton love story are expected to arrive by mid-2026.
4. Witch Watch Season 3
Unlike the decisive endings of its peers, Witch Watch creator Kenta Shinohara recently announced a third season with the promise that the story will continue for some time.
Its spontaneous storytelling, blending serious moments with everyday comedy, makes Witch Watch a refreshing breeze. Uniquely, it breaks the monotony of romance anime that usually end after a confession. Fans should prepare for a dramatic final battle or simply enjoy Shinohara’s signature quirky slice-of-life chapters.
5. Sakamoto Days
Sakamoto Days officially entered its final arc in mid-2025. With its fast pace and action scenes rarely lasting more than a chapter, the series is very likely to conclude in 2026. Author Suzuki even brought back Lu, a character thought forgotten, so every character can shine one last time in epic one-on-one battles.
6. Black Clover
Entering the climax of its final battle, Black Clover is expected to wrap up in the first or second quarter of 2026. Despite the high stakes, some fans have turned away due to inconsistent and illogical power scaling. Asta’s abrupt mastery and abandonment of the Zetten skill highlights rushed storytelling. Sadly, these flaws stem from the author’s health struggles, casting a shadow just before the highly anticipated season 2 anime release.