The winter 2026 anime season will be the best in decades

We are only a few weeks away from the start of the 2026 winter anime season, and it's clear that this is going to be a memorable one. When it comes to new anime releases, the winter seasons tend to offer a strong lineup, bringing a good balance of sequels and brand-new shows. Just take a look at winter 2025, which had The Apothecary Diaries season 2, Solo Leveling season 2, and Sakamoto Days, and you will have an idea. But winter 2026 is surpassing that.

There will be 57-plus shows airing in winter 2026, but it's rare to see multiple sequels of some of the most anticipated shows premiering in the same season. At the top of the list for many fans, there will be new episodes of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Jujutsu Kaisen, Oshi no Ko, and Fire Force.

At the same time, winter 2026 comes with an exciting lineup of first seasons as well, covering different genres. Sentenced to be a Hero is a brand-new fantasy show with a large fanbase waiting to see their favorite light novel receive the anime treatment. Tune in to the Midnight Heart is the usual harem high-school romance, while In the Clear Moonlit Dusk is the more intimate romance slice of life you may want to jump into. There is even a brand-new Fate anime waiting.

With so many options — and let's be real, not that many free hours to watch all the shows we want — it's hard to choose. While there are probably hidden gems in this long list of new shows, we've selected eight winter 2026 anime you definitely should put in your list and check when the season starts.

8 Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 2

Release date: Jan. 16

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End’s first season captured our attention with the visually impressive and emotionally striking story of the mage elf Frieren, who begins a new adventure after witnessing time and mortality take away her old friends. The second season promises more of what we love about Frieren: a wholesome experience of characters discovering the beauty in the world around them.

The main cast of Frieren, Fern, and Stark returns, along with familiar faces from the previous seasons, but we might expect new characters to be introduced as well. In the trailers already released, we can see that "learning" will be an important theme during this season — let's hope Frieren learns to stay away from the Mimics!

7 Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game part 1

Release date: Jan. 8

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

The third season of Jujutsu Kaisen is shaping up to be the shonen show of winter 2026. If you have been following the story so far, you're probably wondering what's going to happen next. After the unthinkable happened and the strongest man in the world, Satorou Gojou, was trapped by Getou, the future of humanity is in his pupil's hands.

Amid a country exposed to the dangers of the cursed spirits, the jujutsu sorcerers must gather their forces and try to turn the tide. But before Itadori can actually do anything, he must face Yuuta Okkotsu, an older jujutsu sorcerer —- and the strongest among Gojo's apprentices. PSA: You may want to watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and learn more about Yuuta before this new season drops!

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6 Oshi no Ko season 3

Release date: Jan. 14

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

While Aqua's point of view has been guiding the show so far as he investigates his mother's murder, the third season of Oshi no Ko aims to give his sister Ruby Hoshino the spotlight. Based on what we have seen in the announcement trailer for this new season, the core cast of characters will still be present, and the current media landscape remains the backdrop of the new arc. However, it's time for us to see a new side of Ruby's personality.

In previous seasons, Ruby had been presented as less mature than her brother. She has been focusing on becoming an idol just like her mother, unaware of Aqua's plans. However, in Oshi no Ko season 3, it seems the bubbly idol has her own agenda, one that she will make happen by any means. As she says at the end of season 3 trailer, "in this world… you can't get popular by being fair and straightforward."

5 In the Clear Moonlit Dusk

Release date: Jan. 11

Where to watch: TBA

2025 was a strong year for romance anime, with shows like The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity and My Dress-Up Darling season 2, but 2026 is off to a great start on this front with In the Clear Moonlit Dusk. Adapted from the manga of the same name by Mika Yamamori, this is the kind of high-school love story that warms your heart even on the coldest of winter days.

In the Clear Moonlit Dusk tells the story of Yoi Takiguchi, a girl who, with her short black hair and boyish look, makes all the other girls in the school swoon over her. Because of that, she's known as the "prince." The stern-looking prince begins to understand the effect she has on others when she meets Kohaku Ichimura — and can we blame her? He has the white hair, pierced ears, and bad-boy-with-good-heart vibes that just make him irresistible. But above all, he is the only one who actually sees Yoi for who she really is. With clean visuals and colors that evoke the internal turmoil of the characters, In the Clear Moonlit Dusk has everything to be one of the most beautiful shows to watch this season.

4 Ikoku Nikki

Release date: Jan. 4 (Japan)

Where to watch: TBA

Based on the manga written by Tomoko Yamashita — which hasn't received an official English translation yet, though fans know it as "Journal with Witch" —, Ikoku Nikki follows the 35-year-old novelist Makio Koudai as she becomes the guardian of her 15-year-old niece, Asa Takumi, after the girl's parents die in a car accident. Although they belong to the same family, the two aren't close — mostly due to the complicated relationship Makio had with her sister, Asa's mother. After her death, the two women look for understanding and the strength to move on.

This is a story of loss, but it's also a tale of how one may find the support they need from the most unexpected people — even though they might have always been close. The emotional weight of the narrative is backed by the show's simple character design, which provides a clear canvas for the character's feelings to be expressed without exaggeration. If you would like to start the year slowly, and reflect on the importance of those around you, Ikoku Nikki is an excellent choice.

3 Hell's Paradise season 2

Release date: Jan. 11 (Japan)

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

While the first season of Hell's Paradise may have lacked a bit in terms of action, it delivered one of the most intriguing settings by blending Japan's Edo period with the supernatural. Centered on a group of criminals sent to a dangerous island of Shinsenkyo, filled with giant monsters, to find the Elixir of Life, Hell's Paradise is perfect for anyone looking for a show with action and mystery, but at a slower pace than other shonen shows like Jujutsu Kaisen. In Hell's Paradise season 2, we are sure to find out more about the mysteries of “paradise” island.

While only a few characters from the first season have survived after arriving on the island, a new group is about to hit Shinsenkyo. However, this time visitors seem to have more goals than just finding the famous Elixir of Life. Meanwhile, the story continues to follow Gabimaru the Hollow, the powerful shinobi capable of bringing death by fire to his enemies. In addition to all the dangers on the island — such as the seven Lord Tensen — Gabimaru is also going to face another battle: remembering his reason to live and fight.

2 Sentenced to Be a Hero

Release date: TBA

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

In recent years, we have seen many anime shows subverting concepts and genres, and Sentenced to Be a Hero follows this trend. In this show, instead of being something people aspire to, becoming a hero is actually a punishment. People labeled as such are forced to fight against the Demon Lords, losing even the right to die, since they are resurrected to keep fighting. Xylo Forbartz, the show's protagonist, becomes one of these heroes after being accused of murdering a goddess. However, he ends up finding a way to change his life when he makes a pact with another goddess.

While a fantasy world with goddesses and magic is a common setting, Sentenced to Be a Hero is a brand-new title with high production values, putting it side by side with the big names of this season. The animation looks amazing in the trailer, and we have every reason to expect a great show since it has the experienced Hiroyuki Takashima as its director, who worked on One Piece, Chainsaw Man, and Mushoku Tensei.

1 Cosmic Princess Kaguya!

Release date: Jan. 22

Where to watch: Netflix

The only anime film on this list, Cosmic Princess Kaguya! is bound to deliver an outstanding experience. Princess Kaguya is a classic figure in Japanese folklore, originating from the traditional story The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter . This Netflix original production takes the figure of Kaguya, the princess from the moon, and pairs her with Iroha, a high schooler from modern Japan. This is a fresh interpretation of the traditional tale, with glowing visuals and a gorgeous modern setting.

Another key point of this production is that Cosmic Princess Kaguya! has songs made by six Vocaloid producers. You might think you're not familiar with Vocaloid, but you have probably seen Hatsune Miku at least once. Some of the biggest names in the Vocaloid scene, such as 40mP and HoneyWorks, are responsible for the music that will give life to this new version of one of Japan's oldest tales.