At a Glance
- 2026 anime season opens with a surge of new titles in January.
- 2025 was a huge year for anime, and 2026 is poised to repeat that.
- January releases include Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2, Hell’s Paradise Season 2, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, and more.
- Why it matters: Fans can plan their watchlists for the coming year.
Anime fans can already start lining up their 2026 watchlist, as the season opens with a head-count of more than 20 new titles scheduled for January.
January Lineup
The first month of 2026 is packed with a variety of new series, from fantasy adventures to supernatural thrillers. Below is a table of the shows, their studios, and release dates.
| Show | Studio | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 | Madhouse | January 16 |
| Hell’s Paradise Season 2 | Mappa | January 11 |
| Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 | Mappa | January 8 |
| Oshi no Ko Season 3 | Doga Kobo | January 14 |
| My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Season 2 | Bones Film | January 5 |
| Trigun Stargaze | Orange | January 10 |
| Golden Kamuy | Brain’s Base | January 5 |
| Journal with Witch | Shuka | January 4 |
| The Darwin Incident | Bellnox Films | January 7 |
- A tale of an elf woman and her companions in Frieren.
- A prison-based quest for the elixir of life in Hell’s Paradise.
- A death-game tournament arc in Jujutsu Kaisen.
- A reincarnated pop idol’s children in Oshi no Ko.
- A vigilante spin-off in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.
- A reboot of Trigun with Milly Thompson’s return.
- A treasure-hunt adventure in Golden Kamuy.
- A josei drama about a writer coping with loss in Journal with Witch.
- A half-human, half-chimpanzee in a terrorist plot in The Darwin Incident.
More 2026 Releases
Beyond January, the calendar is filled with other high-profile anime, including Steel Ball Run, Beastars Final Season Part 2, Witch Hat Atelier, and more.
- Steel Ball Run: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure – March (Netflix)
- Beastars Final Season Part 2 – March (Netflix)
- Witch Hat Atelier – April (Crunchyroll)
- Daemons of the Shadow Realm – April (Crunchyroll)
- Marriagetoxin – April
- Akane-banashi – April
- Mao – April
- Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity – July (Hulu)
- Jaadugar: A Witch in Magnolia – July
- The Elusive Samruai Season 2 – July (Crunchyroll)
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 – October (Crunchyroll)
- The Ghost in the Shell – 2026 (Science Saru)
Key Takeaways
- 2026 opens with a record-setting lineup of 9 new titles in January.
- Multiple studios, including Madhouse, Mappa, and Bones Film, are releasing major new series.
- The year’s schedule extends through October, featuring notable titles like Bleach and The Ghost in the Shell.
With a full slate of new anime across genres, 2026 promises a vibrant year for viewers. Mark your calendar and dive into the fresh stories coming in January and beyond.
