New anime in 2026: the biggest upcoming and ongoing shows

May is upon us and, with it, a rush of new and ongoing anime to get excited about, as well as a chance to take a cursory glance towards the summer lineup on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Disney Plus, and Prime Video.

But where should you begin with all the new anime at your fingertips? Ahead, we'll guide you through the new anime in 2026, including future heavy hitters such as Ghost in the Shell, Sekiro, and a new Dragon Ball series. There's also a complete chronological list of everything that has been released, is currently streaming, or is on the way this year - all in one place.

So, join us as we run through every major new anime coming your way in 2026, from fan-favorite shows to exciting new kids on the block and some hidden gems. If you're in need of some viewing inspiration, be sure to check out our curated picks for the best anime movies as well as our guide on how to watch Demon Slayer in order.

NEW AND ONGOING ANIME 2026

We've split our 2026 anime release calendar into the traditional four windows: winter (January-March), spring (April-June), summer (July-September), and fall (October-December).

As you'll see below, 2026 began with one of the most packed lineups in recent memory. My Hero Academia spin-off Vigilantes returned alongside new seasons of Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and Oshi no Ko. Spring sees the likes of Re:Zero, Dr. Stone, and One Piece make their presence keenly felt.

Winter 2026 anime release dates

• Case Closed: Detective Conan
• Sentenced to Be a Hero
• Golden Kamuy Final Season
• My Hero Academia: Vigilantes season 2
• Jujutsu Kaisen season 3
• Fire Force season 3, part 2 – January 9, 2026
• Fate/strange Fake – January 10, 2026
• Trigun Stargaze – January 10, 2026
• To Your Eternity Season 3 – January 10, 2026
• GNOSIA – January 10, 2026 (ongoing)
• Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider – January 10, 2026
• Hell's Paradise season 2 – January 11, 2026
• 'Tis Time for "Torture," Princess Cour 2 – January 12, 2026
• Oshi no Ko season 3 – January 14, 2026
• Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 2 – January 16, 2026
• Beastars Final Season part 2 – March 7, 2026
• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run – March 19, 2026

Spring 2026 anime release dates

• Dorohedoro season 2 – April 1, 2026
• The Beginning After the End season 2 – April 1, 2026
• Dr. Stone Science Future part 3 – April 2, 2026
• That Time I Got Reanimated as a Slime season 4 – April 3, 2026
• Daemons of the Shadow Realm – April 4, 2026
• Ace of the Diamond season 2 – April 4, 2026
• One Piece: Elbaph Arc – April 5, 2026
• Liar Game – April 6, 2026
• Witch Hat Atelier – April 6, 2026
• Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World season 4 – April 8, 2026
• Rent-a-Girlfriend season 5 – April 8, 2026
• Kill Blue – April 11, 2026
• Wistoria: Wand and Sword season 2 – April 12, 2026
• My Hero Academia Special – May 2, 2026
• Devil May Cry season 2 – May 12, 2026

Summer 2026 anime release dates

• Black Torch – July 2026
• Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War: The Calamity – July 2026
• Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You – July 2026
• Skeleton Knight in Another World season 2 – July 2026
• The Detective is Already Dead season 2 – July 2026
• The Elusive Samurai season 2 – July 2026
• The Ghost in the Shell – July 2026

Fall 2026 anime release dates

• Ranma 1/2 season 3 – October 2026
• Suikoden: The Anime – October 2026
• The Apothecary Diaries season 3 – October 2026
• Blue Box season 2 – Fall 2026
• Dragon Ball Super: Beerus – Fall 2026
• The Apothecary Diaries movie – December 2026

Crunchyroll
Whatever country you're in, it's easy to sign up to Crunchyroll and start working your way through its massive anime library – just head to the website here.

And don't forget that new customers are also able to take advantage of the service's 14-day FREE trial, letting you effectively try before you buy.

TBA 2026 anime release dates

• Black Clover season 2 – TBA 2026
• Sekiro: No Defeat – TBA 2026
• Tokyo Revengers: War of the Three Titans – TBA 2026

TBA anime release dates

• Chainsaw Man: Assassins Arc (AKA Chainsaw Man season 2) – TBA
• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 – TBA
• Dan Da Dan season 3 – TBA 2027
• Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle 2 – TBA
• Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 3 – October 2027
• Haikyuu VS The Little Giant – TBA 2027
• Jujutsu Kaisen season 4 – TBA
• Kaiju No. 8 Final Arc – TBA
• Sakamoto Days season 2 – TBA
• Vinland Saga season 3 – TBA

Anime out in 2026: our top picks

So, that list above is quite intimidating. To help narrow it down a little for you, we've cherrypicked some of our favorite new and ongoing anime that should absolutely be added to your watchlists in 2026.

Jujutsu Kaisen season 3

Release date: Out now
Where to watch Jujutsu Kaisen season 3: Crunchyroll

Get ready for the Culling Game. Jujutsu Kaisen's third season adapts the manga's battle royale-style arc, with sorcerers getting set to duke it out in a twisted, frenzied competition.

Those who watched the last season's Shibuya Incident will know shock deaths are fair game, with pulse-pounding action scenes coming thick and fast. Compilation movie Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution already teased what's to come in season 3. No spoilers here, but expect this to be among the most-talked-about anime – new or otherwise – in 2026.

Still playing catch-up? Here's how to watch Jujutsu Kaisen in order, or check out our Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 release schedule guide.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes season 2

Release date: Out now
Where to watch My Hero Academia: Vigilantes season 2: Crunchyroll

My Hero Academia may be over, but its Vigilantes spin-off is soaring back onto our screens in 2026. This time, the titular vigilantes will have to strike out on their own a little more, flanked by a collection of colorful heroes and villains.

To keep up to date with episodes, check out our My Hero Academia: Vigilantes season 2 release schedule!

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 2

Release date: Out now
Where to watch Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 2: Crunchyroll

Frieren enchanted viewers when it was released in 2024 thanks to its dazzling blend of melancholy-tinged drama and bright, vibrant characters. The second season aims to go one better, with Frieren, Fern, and Stark continuing their travels north as the titular mage heads to Himmel's final resting place.

The first season became the highest-rated anime of all time on database MyAnimeList and – if its manga source material is any indication – the second season could prove to be a strong contender for that crown. We might even discover exactly how Frieren and her legendary party defeated the Demon King, too. Here's hoping.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run

Release date: Out now (returns Fall 2026)
Where to watch JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run: Netflix

There are bizarre adventures, then there's whatever is going on with Steel Ball Run. It's all centered, naturally, on a 19th-century cross-country horse race as paraplegic jockey Johnny Joestar joining forces with former executioner Gyro Zepelli for a share of the $50 million prize.

This being JoJo's, however, there's plenty of intrigue surrounding the event. Not least of all, a conspiracy that goes straight to the President of the United States and a religious artifact with ties to Jesus Christ. It might not top the universe-resetting shenanigans of Stone Ocean, but Steel Ball Run will give it a good try.

For more, check out our guide on how to watch JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in order and the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Steel Ball Run release schedule.

One Piece: Elbaph Arc

Release date: Out now
Where to watch One Piece: Elbaph Arc: Crunchyroll/Netflix

One Piece is setting sail for uncharted waters with the Elbaph Arc. It's not so much the content that will raise eyebrows (though we're certainly excited to see how the Straw Hats handle their trip to Elbaph) but the way it's released.

As announced in 2025, One Piece is slowing down in 2026, with a maximum of 26 episodes to be released this calendar year, split into two cours. What does that mean? We're getting slightly less Monkey D. Luffy in the next 12 months, though it does mean fewer One Piece filler episodes and wheel-spinning mini-arcs are on the way. That's a win-win, as far as we're concerned.

Keep up to date with Luffy's adventures with the One Piece Elbaph Arc release schedule.

The Apothecary Diaries season 3

Release date: October 2026
Where to watch Apothecary Diaries season 3: TBA

Apothecary Diaries turned from sleeper hit into mini-sensation with its exceptional second season. Thankfully for fans of the quirky anime, which features protagonist Maomao putting her potions and lotions to good use in the imperial Chinese palace, there's a quick follow-up in store this fall. Better yet, there's an original movie still to come in December 2026.

Sekiro: No Defeat

Release date: 2026
Where to watch Sekiro: No Defeat: TBA

Based on FromSoftware's (arguably underrated) classic, Sekiro: No Defeat is a "fully hand-drawn" adaptation that joins the likes of the Death Stranding anime for series that we can't wait to watch.

"The final product is being crafted to be a truly memorable experience, one that will leave a lasting impression on both dedicated fans of the game and those who are discovering the world of Sekiro for the very first time," director Kenichi Kutsuna said in a press release upon its unveiling in August 2025. With AI fears also put to rest, there's plenty to look forward to with Sekiro: No Defeat. Except we're not looking forward to facing down the Guardian Ape again.

Sekiro isn't the only game in town. Here are the upcoming video game movies coming your way in 2026.

The Ghost in the Shell

Release date: July 2026
Where to watch The Ghost in the Shell: Prime Video

The Ghost in the Shell's return may have passed you by upon its announcement last April, but there's every reason to be excited about returning to the mind-bending, technologically-advanced world that made such a splash in the 1990s.

Science Saru is the studio behind the new series, which appears to be an adaptation of the original manga.

That's not all. Discover what else is out there with our guide to the best Crunchyroll anime and the best Netflix anime.