2026 is already set up to be quite an exciting year for anime, and fans will witness many big hits finally starting, and others returning at the same time for a phenomenal run. 2025 was absolutely massive for anime, but it will most certainly be trumped by what is coming next year.
Series like Frieren and Jujutsu Kaisen are returning with new seasons, while new anime like Witch Hat Atelier are finally kickstarting.
8
Black Clover Season 2
Release Date: Unknown Month, 2026
Black Clover’s anime went on a long hiatus and fans have patiently been waiting for a return since. The series has been on hiatus since 2021, but finally, the anime has been confirmed to be returning.
Black Clover will be returning with what some have referred to as Black Clover Season 2 or Season 5. A small teaser has already been revealed, and while an exact release date hasn’t been given yet, it’s scheduled for release sometime in 2026.
7
Witch Hat Atelier
Release Date: Unknown Month, 2026
Witch Hat Atelier is an anime series that fans have been waiting for quite a long time. The manga first started in 2016, and despite that, the series has yet to receive even one anime season. Witch Hat Atelier was supposed to drop this year but was postponed to 2026 to improve the quality.
Fans are excited to see what this story has in store for them. That said, there is apprehension as well, and fans are hoping the anime adaptation lives up to expectations, especially after such a long wait.
6
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
Release Date: January 2026
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End came out with its first season in 2023 and became an instant hit, even beating Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood for its title of best-rated anime series ever on MAL.
Fans have been eagerly waiting for the series’ return, and it’s closer than ever now. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is making a huge comeback with its second season in January, and fans are incredibly excited to see what the studio has to deliver early next year.
5
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3
Release Date: January 2026
Undoubtedly, the biggest anime series that airs in 2026 is going to be none other than Jujutsu Kaisen. Jujutsu Kaisen is finally returning with its third season, and soon. JJK Season 3 drops as early as January 2026, focusing on the buildup to the Culling Game.
With an exciting turn in terms of direction and art style, and fans are definitely hyped as the Culling Game arc, one of the most intense parts of the series, is finally adapted.
4
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stell Ball Run
Release Date: Unknown Month, 2026
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure hasn’t had a new anime in quite some time. Its latest release was Stone Ocean Part 6 back in 2021, which was four years ago. Now, however, the studio is working on adapting the next part of the manga which most fans consider to be the most exciting, and that’s Part 7, also called Steel Ball Run. This part is one of the most popular, and fans are looking forward to it greatly. Steel Ball Run will come out in 2026, and some leaks have hinted at a March release, although that remains to be officially confirmed.
3
My Hero Academia Vigilantes Season 2
Release Date: January 2026
The main series of My Hero Academia is coming to an end this year. Right now, its final season, MHA Season 8, is airing, and fans are quite sad to say goodbye to the franchise. While MHA’s ending is crushing, fans can find comfort in the fact that the series still has its spin-off, My Hero Academia Vigilantes, to look forward to.
My Hero Academia Vigilantes aired its first season this year, and it will return with its second season in January 2026. It’s definitely an exciting return for the fans of MHA, even though it doesn’t feature most of the original cast of the series.
2
Oshi no Ko Season 3
Release Date: Unknown Month, 2026
Oshi No Ko already has two seasons out, and it would be an understatement to say that they were hits. Fans are awaiting, more than ever, its third season, and there isn’t much time until it premieres.
Oshi no Ko Season 3 is scheduled to air in January 2026, and fans are hyped to see what the anime has in store for them. Oshi no Ko Season 3 will probably be the penultimate season of the show, as the anime is catching up with the manga fast, which already concluded last year.
1
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3
Release Date: October 2026
The Apothecary Diaries has become one of the biggest and most popular anime series of the last few years, it has especially become quite big in Japan. Its popularity is all thanks to its compelling story and character writing.
The Apothecary Diaries had its third season confirmed immediately after the conclusion of its second season. It was recently announced that The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Part 1 will drop in October 2026, while the second part will air in April 2027. There is also a movie coming out in December 2026.
