2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for anime. We’re witnessing the conclusion of multiple era-defining series, the arrival of highly anticipated adaptations that fans have waited years for, and a slate of movies that could rival any theatrical year in anime history. Whether you’ve been in the game since the Toonami days or just discovered anime through streaming, this year has something that’ll make you feel like a kid again.
From Spring’s stacked lineup to Fall’s promising newcomers, we’ve compiled the definitive guide to every major anime release on the 2026 calendar. Grab your watchlists—they’re about to get a lot longer.
Winter 2026 (January – March)
Winter 2026 set the tone for what’s become an exceptional year. While we’re now past this season, these shows established the momentum:
Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow
The manhwa adaptation continued its dominance with the Job Change arc and beyond. A-1 Pictures proved Season 1 wasn’t a fluke—the Jeju Island arc delivery was everything fans hoped for and more. If you haven’t caught up, this remains essential viewing.
Apothecary Diaries Season 2
Maomao continued solving palace mysteries with her signature deadpan delivery. Season 2 expanded the political intrigue and gave us more Jinshi moments than we could handle. Quietly one of the best shows of the past two years.
Dr. Stone: Science Future
The final season concluded Senku’s scientific journey with emotional payoffs years in the making. A fitting end to one of Shonen Jump’s most unique series.
Spring 2026 (April – June)
The season we’re currently in—and what a season it is.
My Hero Academia: Final Arc Part 2
The beginning of the end. Part 2 of the final arc means we’re months away from saying goodbye to Deku, Bakugo, and everyone at UA. Studio Bones is treating this finale with the respect it deserves, and early episodes have delivered movie-quality animation for the climactic battles.
Why It Matters: A decade of storytelling reaching its conclusion. Love it or hate it, MHA defined an era.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc
Ufotable’s unlimited budget continues. The Infinity Castle Arc is essentially wall-to-wall action as the Hashira face off against Upper Moons in Muzan’s twisted domain. Early episodes have already broken social media multiple times.
Why It Matters: Peak Demon Slayer. The arc manga readers have been waiting to see animated.
Vinland Saga Season 3
Thorfinn’s journey of atonement continues as he navigates the Baltic Sea War arc. MAPPA balances philosophical depth with visceral action, proving this adaptation remains one of the best in recent memory.
Spy x Family Season 3
The Forger family wholesome content continues with the cruise ship arc. More Anya, more Yor action scenes, more Bond being best boy.
Sakamoto Days
Netflix’s big spring bet. The legendary hitman turned convenience store owner is finally animated, and it’s delivering exactly what the manga promised: creative action and genuine heart.
Summer 2026 (July – September)
Summer looks absolutely stacked. Here’s what’s confirmed and what we’re hearing:
One Piece (Ongoing – Elbaf Arc)
The Elbaf Arc is finally here, and Toei has stepped up their game considerably since the Wano improvements. The island of giants that’s been teased since Little Garden is delivering on decades of buildup, and the animation quality suggests Toei knows this arc is special.
Streaming: Crunchyroll / Netflix (selected episodes)
Re:Zero Season 4
Subaru’s suffering continues. Season 4 picks up where the devastating Season 3 left off, adapting Arc 7 content that manga readers describe as “peak Re:Zero.” Expect more death loops, more emotional trauma, and more of the psychological depth that makes this series special.
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc (Movie)
MAPPA finally delivers the Bomb Devil arc as a theatrical film. This is the arc that expands Chainsaw Man’s emotional range while delivering some of Fujimoto’s most creative action. Reze has already become a fan-favorite from the manga, and seeing her animated is going to be something special.
Release: Summer 2026 (Japan), Fall 2026 (International theatrical)
Blue Lock Season 3
The soccer phenomenon continues with the Neo Egoist League arc. Season 2 raised the stakes considerably, and Season 3 promises even wilder developments as Isagi faces international competition. 8bit continues to deliver on the over-the-top sports action.
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
The surprise hit of 2023-2024 returns. Season 2 continues adapting one of the most acclaimed manga in recent memory, with Madhouse maintaining the contemplative pace and gorgeous visuals that made Season 1 special. More Frieren, more found family, more meditation on mortality and meaning.
Streaming: Crunchyroll
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4
Rimuru’s nation-building continues with another season of political maneuvering and occasional OP battles. The Tensura faithful remain dedicated, and Season 4 adapts some of the LN’s most significant developments.
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Fall 2026 (October – December)
Fall details are still emerging, but here’s what’s confirmed or heavily rumored:
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3
The return we’ve been waiting for. Following the Shibuya Incident and its aftermath, Season 3 tackles the most divisive and ambitious content in JJK yet. Whether you loved or hated how the manga went, seeing it animated will be an event.
Expected Arc: Culling Game completion, Shinjuku Showdown beginning
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Attack on Titan: School Castes (OVA/Special)
The official comedy spinoff finally gets animated. After years of being a bonus manga feature, School Castes brings us the characters we love in a slice-of-life high school setting. It’s pure fan service in the best way.
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Mushoku Tensei Season 3
Rudeus’s journey continues with content that light novel readers have been anticipating for years. Studio Bind maintains their exceptional production quality, and Season 3 promises major developments for the entire cast.
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Hell’s Paradise Season 2
The Jigokuraku continuation following the island escape. Season 1 was solid if underseen, and Season 2 has the chance to reach a wider audience with its continuation of the brutal survival story.
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Major Movies Coming in 2026
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc Movie
As mentioned above, MAPPA’s theatrical adaptation of the Bomb Devil arc. Expect elevated animation and an emotional gut-punch.
Haikyuu!! Movie Continuation
Following the success of The Dumpster Battle, the next Haikyuu movie continues adapting the final arc. These films have proven that Production I.G can deliver theatrical-quality volleyball action.
My Hero Academia: Final Movie
Details scarce, but a final theatrical film is reportedly in development to complement the series finale. Could release late 2026 or early 2027.
Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Re-Release (Anniversary Edition)
The definitive cut of the Rebuild finale returns to theaters with additional content. For those who missed the theatrical experience or want to relive it, this is your chance.
Pluto (Netflix Film Series)
Naoki Urasawa’s masterpiece adaptation continues with the remaining episodes dropping throughout 2026. Already acclaimed as one of the best anime adaptations in recent memory.
What’s Being Adapted in 2026
The pipeline of manga-to-anime adaptations remains strong:
Confirmed Adaptations Airing 2026:
- Sakamoto Days ✓ (Currently airing)
- Kagurabachi ✓ (Spring 2026)
- Witch Hat Atelier ✓ (Spring 2026)
- Choujin X (Spring 2026)
- Gachiakuta (Summer 2026)
- Dandadan Season 2 (TBA 2026)
Announced, Release TBA:
- Spy x Family Movie (Production confirmed)
- Fire Punch (Rumored MAPPA project)
- Sousou no Frieren Movie (Speculation based on popularity)
Heavily Requested, No News Yet:
- Vagabond (Dreams…)
- Berserk proper adaptation (Please, universe)
- Claymore remake
- Monster re-adaptation
What We’re Most Excited About
If we had to narrow down the must-watch releases of 2026:
For Action Fans: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is going to be visually unprecedented. Ufotable in an enclosed space with dimension-shifting architecture? Pure sakuga heaven.
For Story Fans: Re:Zero Season 4 and Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 both tackle their most ambitious narrative content. Whether you’ll love or hate the directions, you won’t be bored.
For Emotional Destruction: My Hero Academia ending and the Chainsaw Man: Reze movie are going to have you crying in different ways.
For New Experiences: Witch Hat Atelier offers something genuinely unique—a slower, artistic fantasy that proves anime can be meditative and magical.
For Hype: One Piece reaching Elbaf is a moment decades in the making. Luffy finally standing on the island of giants? Chills.
Streaming Guide: Where to Watch Everything
Crunchyroll (Essential):
- My Hero Academia
- Demon Slayer
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Re:Zero
- Frieren
- Blue Lock
- One Piece
Netflix (Growing Library):
- Sakamoto Days
- One Piece (backlog)
- Pluto
- Various exclusives
Theatrical (Limited Release):
- Chainsaw Man: Reze Movie
- Haikyuu continuation
- My Hero Academia final movie
Conclusion
2026 is an anime year that reminds us why we fell in love with the medium. We’re seeing conclusions to stories that have defined the past decade while simultaneously welcoming new series that could define the next one. The quality bar continues to rise, streaming accessibility has never been better, and the global anime community is larger than ever.
Whatever your taste—whether you’re here for the battles, the emotions, the art, or the memes—2026 has something that’ll remind you why anime hits different.
Keep your watchlists updated, your streaming subscriptions active, and your tissues nearby. It’s going to be one hell of a year.
Related: Spring 2026 Anime Guide
| Best Anime Movies 2026 | Jujutsu Kaisen Watch Order |