January 2026 will mark the start of a new anime season packed with some of the most highly anticipated titles. Alongside eagerly awaited sequels like Jujutsu Kaisen and Oshi no Ko, several surprises have emerged in the top 10 anime list voted by Japanese audiences as must-watch.
The well-known Japanese news and survey site Animate Times recently released the preliminary results of their “Recommended Anime Rankings for 2026.”
Here is the list of the top 10 most anticipated Winter 2026 anime:
1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
2. Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 1 (Season 3)
3. Oshi no Ko Season 3
4. Medalist Season 2
5. Golden Kamuy Final Chapter Season 5
6. Hell’s Paradise Season 2
7. MF Ghost Season 3
8. Fire Force Season 3, Part 2
9. High School! Kimengumi
10. Yuusha Party wo Oidasareta Kiyoubinbou
Leading the list is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2, set to premiere on January 16, 2026. Since its debut in 2023, this series has captivated millions of fans worldwide. Set 50 years after the elf mage Frieren and her companions defeated the Demon King, the anime uniquely blends everyday life, adventure, and fantasy literature.
Its slow-paced storytelling focuses on Frieren’s reflections on intimate moments and her journey with fallen comrades, earning it a devoted fanbase.
Coming in second is Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 1 of Season 3, premiering January 6. In stark contrast to Frieren, Jujutsu Kaisen is a fast-paced dark fantasy packed with action. It follows Yuji Itadori, who swallowed a special cursed finger of the powerful Ryomen Sukuna, becoming his vessel. Season 3 will cover the intense Culling Game arc, one of the series’ most gripping storylines.
Next is Oshi no Ko Season 3, expected January 14. This psychological drama exposes the dark side of Japan’s entertainment industry. With a complex plot involving reincarnation and revenge, Aquamarine Hoshino infiltrates the entertainment world to hunt down the killer of her idol mother. Season 3 promises to delve deeper into this haunting pursuit.
The top 10 also features two titles less known internationally but beloved in Japan.
Golden Kamuy Final Chapter Season 5, premiering January 5, is a semi-historical series about ex-soldier Saichi Sugimoto hunting for lost Ainu treasure.
Hell’s Paradise Season 2, arriving January 11 and produced by MAPPA, is a bloody supernatural horror series. It follows Gabimaru and death row prisoners sent to a mysterious island to find the “Elixir of Immortality.” Though less famous than Shonen Jump giants, Hell’s Paradise is widely regarded by fans as an underrated masterpiece.
With these high-quality sequels and fresh stories, Winter 2026 is shaping up to be a feast for the global anime community!