5 reasons why you need to pay attention to AnimeJapan 2026, including possible Steel Ball Run answers

AnimeJapan 2026 is almost here. Essentially anime's answer to San Diego Comic-Con, this coming weekend will see cosplayers and mega-fans converging on Tokyo for a glimpse at the next 12 months in the industry.

So, what can we expect? With only a panel schedule available, there are a lot of unknowns going into this year's event – but we have several educated guesses on what we can expect to come out of AnimeJapan 2026's likely wave of announcements and teases.

Join us as we guide you through the ins and outs of AnimeJapan 2026 and its headline Red Stage names – including Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer – for what we can expect, and how it could shape the next few years of anime releases. Then dive into our list of the new anime coming up just around the corner in April's spring season.

A Demon Slayer Infinity Castle 2 tease?

Demon Slayer is one of the more intriguing names to plant its flag in the ground at this year's AnimeJapan. After all, the shonen is coming off a record-breaking year with the big-screen release of Infinity Castle. But there has been practically no new news on the middle part of its planned trilogy.

With Tanjiro's voice actor Natsuki Hanae confirmed to be in attendance, we wouldn't be surprised if there was some chatter – and even a brief tease or title reveal – surrounding Demon Slayer Infinity Castle 2. After all, the Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini has already been transparent about the "urgency" in getting the sequel to the biggest anime movie of all time into cinemas. This week's event would be the perfect starting point for a likely 18-month period of intense marketing.

Steel Ball Run answers

When is Steel Ball Run's '2nd Stage' galloping into view? It seems no one has any clue on when the second episode is dropping on Netflix – making for one of the baffling release rollouts in recent memory.

But JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's latest series is at AnimeJapan, and that could mean good news for those eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the cross-country saga.

Yet, we might have to hold our horses: the panel is listed as a 'Race Start Celebration', so could just be a look back – complete with anecdotes and concept art – from Johnny Joestar's humble beginnings instead of a look towards the future.

The future of Jujutsu Kaisen

Last year's AnimeJapan saw Jujutsu Kaisen unveil its Hidden Inventory/Premature Death compilation movie. With the first part of its Culling Game arc coming to a close this week, now seems an opportune time to chart out what's coming next for Yuji and Yuta as they get their fists bloodied in the battle royale.

"Passionate discussions" are already confirmed amongst the cast attendees, but we'd really love to hear more about Culling Game's second part and, maybe with a view to the anime's endgame, some talk about future movies. The series hasn't always delivered the goods at AnimeJapan, however.

One Piece setting off into the unknown

One Piece is breaking from tradition this year with the anime being "capped to maximum 26 episodes."

The long-running series should sail through those uncharted waters just fine, especially as it allows for Eiichiro Oda's manga to pull away from the adaptation.

In a sense, it should mean less filler is on the horizon for a serious that, infamously, loves to pad out an arc (or three) with various hijinks. At the very least, there should be a behind-closed-doors glimpse at April's Elbaph arc as Luffy and the Straw Hats head on a new adventure.

Netflix spotlights its 2026 lineup

Netflix isn't doing things by halves when it comes to anime. Its jewel in the crown – Dan Da Dan season 3 – doesn't arrive until next year, but that doesn't mean it's being caught lacking in 2026.

The streamer's AnimeJapan panel promises to showcase its 'exciting lineup of spring anime titles', with a particular deep dive on Dandelion, a supernatural series adapted from a one-shot penned by Gintama creator Hideaki Sorachi. Expect something quirky, side-splitting, and frequently provocative – and we can't wait to see it.

While you wait, take the plunge into the latest updates on some of anime's biggest releases, including Chainsaw Man season 2 and Solo Leveling season 3.