2025 was a great year for anime, but 2026 promises to be even better. With legendary returns like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7 and highly anticipated hits such as Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 and Frieren Season 2, fans are gearing up for a year packed with top-quality series.
1. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3
Few anime have the momentum that Jujutsu Kaisen currently enjoys. After two fantastic seasons, a strong prequel film, a compilation movie, and another compilation film on the way, JJK remains one of the biggest anime series today. Although the manga concluded in September 2024, the anime continues to thrive. With the spin-off Modulo currently serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
Scheduled for release in January 2026, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is set to be a major contender for Anime of the Year.
2. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
After a strong first season that left a lasting impression on anime fans worldwide, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is making its return. Part of the spectacular Winter 2026 anime lineup, Frieren is sure to stand out among its peers. With stunning animation and compelling characters, the series has built a loyal fanbase.
Although it may have been overlooked at the 2025 Anime of the Year awards, Season 2 is expected to set an even stronger precedent and earn recognition among the best series today.
3. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run
Nearly three years have passed since the Stone Ocean anime ended. Fans have eagerly awaited news of Part 7 – Steel Ball Run getting an anime adaptation, and that announcement finally came in April this year.
Set in an alternate timeline in 1890s America, Steel Ball Run follows paralyzed horse racer Johnny Joestar and former executioner Gyro Zeppeli as they compete in the cross-country Steel Ball Run race for a grand prize of 50 million dollars. Many fans consider Steel Ball Run the best JoJo part, and given the series’ track record, that’s a big deal. After years of waiting, we’ll finally see Johnny and Gyro brought to life in animation.
4. The Apothecary Diaries Season 3
The Apothecary Diaries quickly became a fan favorite, with the anime planned to have three seasons over three consecutive years. The series offers something for everyone: romance, drama, mystery, and two captivating main characters that make it a joy to watch.
Season 3 is set to premiere in October 2026, followed by a new film releasing in December the same year. The movie will debut right after the first cour of Season 3 finishes. With a second cour of Season 3 expected in April 2027, fans have plenty to look forward to well into the next year.
5. Oshi No Ko Season 3
Although the buzz around the series cooled somewhat after the manga’s controversial ending, Oshi no Ko Season 3 will still attract plenty of attention when it premieres in January 2026. This season is expected to adapt the Mainstay Arc, and possibly the Scandal Arc if time allows.
The Mainstay Arc will highlight Ruby’s rise in the entertainment industry, while the Scandal Arc will show Kana facing tough media scrutiny. Both arcs promise an exciting season, and if a fourth season happens, there’s still plenty of material to explore.
6. DanDaDan Season 3
DanDaDan has captured the hearts of many anime fans with its quirky humor and great characters. The supernatural and extraterrestrial adventures of Momo and Okarun have made for two fantastic seasons so far, and things are ramping up for Season 3.
The dramatic climax at the end of Season 2 has fans eager for more. While no exact release date has been announced, Season 3 will likely arrive in summer or fall 2026.
7. Re:ZERO – Starting Life in Another World Season 4
While each season has brought fresh takes on the isekai and fantasy genres, few series in recent years have been as captivating as Re:ZERO. After being suddenly transported to another world, the lazy teenager Subaru Natsuki discovers he can return to different points in time before his death whenever he dies. Using this power, Subaru helps Emilia on her journey to become the new ruler of the Kingdom of Lugunica.
Re:ZERO’s first season premiered in 2016 and was an instant hit. With four years between Seasons 1 and 2, and three years between Seasons 2 and 3, it’s great to see White Fox maintaining momentum and releasing Season 4 soon after Season 3 ended in March. We can expect Season 4 to debut in spring or summer 2026.