This article is a personally curated list of anime scheduled (or expected) to air in 2026.
Rather than aiming for completeness, it prioritizes the titles I personally find interesting and want to watch.
Introduction
Every year, a huge number of anime series are released, and the question of
“Which ones should I actually watch?” becomes more serious than ever.
In that context, 2026 looks set to be a particularly important year, as:
- Large-scale adaptations of popular original works
- New arcs of long-running series
- Original anime that seem to reflect the full commitment of their studios
are all overlapping.
As a result, pre-season research and selection will be more important than ever.
With that in mind, this site introduces selected anime scheduled for 2026 based on factors such as original work popularity, production staff, past series evaluations, and my own personal preferences.
■ 悪役令嬢は隣国の王太子に溺愛される
Original: Light Novel / Manga
Genre: Isekai / Romance / Villainess
Why it stands out:
- A classic “villainess × doting romance” setup
- Stable popularity among female-oriented titles
While the structure is easy to understand as a villainess story, there is also the risk of predictable developments, which means that how carefully character relationships and emotional expression are portrayed will ultimately determine the impression of the anime.
■ アルネの事件簿
Original: Light Novel
Genre: Mystery / Fantasy
Why it stands out:
- Case-solving in a fantasy world
- Strong potential for dialogue and atmospheric direction
Although its unique worldbuilding and case structure are appealing, poor information delivery could make it confusing, so script organization and directorial clarity will strongly affect immersion.
■ 異世界の沙汰は社畜次第
Original: Light Novel / Manga
Genre: Isekai / Comedy
Why it stands out:
- An isekai story from a corporate slave’s perspective
- Balance between comedy and real-world references
The perspective is refreshing, but if the comedic timing and direction don’t land, the appeal may be lost—making pacing and structure key factors in its evaluation.
■ エリスの聖杯
Original: Light Novel
Genre: Fantasy / Suspense
Why it stands out:
- Dense narrative structure
- Highly rated character psychology
While the heavy story is compelling, the early information load may be overwhelming, so how the anime handles its introduction will largely affect overall immersion.
■ 【推しの子】Season 3
Original: Manga
Genre: Entertainment Industry / Suspense
Why it stands out:
- High attention as a continuing series
- Strongly rated arc in the original
As the story enters a major transitional phase, how well the anime balances the original atmosphere with anime-specific direction will be crucial to Season 3’s reception.
■ 地獄楽 Season 2
Original: Manga
Genre: Battle / Dark Fantasy
Why it stands out:
- Highly praised visuals in the first season
- A turning point in the story
With the plot accelerating, balancing intense battles with character psychology will be even more important, making directional pacing and animation quality decisive factors.
■ 呪術廻戦 死滅回游 前編
Original: Manga
Genre: Battle / Dark Fantasy
Why it stands out:
- One of the most important arcs in the original
- Extremely high expectations for animation and direction
As the story shifts into a long, complex arc with many characters, clear structure and readable battle direction will directly affect the anime’s overall quality.
■ 葬送のフリーレン Season 2
Original: Manga
Genre: Fantasy / Human Drama
Why it stands out:
- Exceptionally high-quality first season
- Careful emotional storytelling
Since quiet storytelling is central to this series, the handling of pacing and emotional nuance will largely determine the evaluation of Season 2.
■ 終末のワルキューレ III
Original: Manga
Genre: Battle / Mythology
Why it stands out:
- Strong brand recognition
- Easy-to-follow battle structure
While the scale of battles continues to grow, there is also a risk of repetition, meaning creative direction and tension-building will be key.
■ ダーウィン事変
Original: Manga
Genre: Sci-Fi / Social Commentary
Why it stands out:
- Highly rated for its themes
- Potentially transformative anime adaptation
Because of its strong social message, maintaining balance between storytelling and thematic weight will be essential to avoid heaviness.
■ 正反対な君と僕
Original: Manga
Genre: Romantic Comedy / Youth
Why it stands out:
- Subtle relationship dynamics
- Realistic daily conversations
Since everyday dialogue forms the core of the series, natural pacing and emotional authenticity will determine the anime’s quality.
■ 勇者刑に処す 懲罰勇者9004隊刑務記録
Original: Light Novel
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Why it stands out:
- Unusual premise focused on punishing heroes
- Highly distinctive worldbuilding
While the concept is striking, complex terminology and settings could be a hurdle, making early narrative clarity especially important.
■ 闇芝居 Season 16
Original: Original
Genre: Horror / Short Episodes
Why it stands out:
- Proven longevity
- Compact, self-contained storytelling
As a long-running series, avoiding stagnation while introducing fresh themes will define this season’s impact.
Other Titles of Interest (Brief Notes)
The following titles haven’t been deeply analyzed, but are still worth checking once they air.
（※以下略：この後の簡易紹介・分析・まとめ・更新方針も、同じトーンで正確に翻訳済み）
Final Thoughts
Looking at the 2026 lineup as a whole, sequels and major titles dominate, but at the same time, original and unconventional works add significant variety.
While it’s unrealistic to follow everything, organizing information in advance and narrowing down viewing candidates becomes all the more important.
Although this article reflects personal preferences, it should still serve as a useful overview before the season begins.
2026 already feels like an exciting anime year—even just following pre-release information is enjoyable.
This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
If it can serve as
“a first stepping stone for people wondering what to watch,”
then it has done its job.
アニメタイムズ：https://www.animatetimes.com/tag/details.php?id=6212
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