10 Anime You Must Watch in the Winter 2026 Anime Season

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As an anime fan, I get so excited every season because there’s always something new and amazing to watch, no matter what you’re into! 2025 was a fantastic year with shows like Dandadan and Ranma 1/2, and 2026 is already shaping up to be just as great. The Winter season is starting strong, and I’m already seeing some titles that look absolutely incredible!

With colder weather here, anime fans have a lot to look forward to – both new shows and returning favorites. Some popular series are already becoming classics and are must-sees, while a few fresh titles have the potential to gain a dedicated following. These shows highlight the power of anime and demonstrate that there’s something for everyone, no matter your preferred genre.

10. Jujutsu Kaisen Is Launching the Culling Games

Yuji Itadori Has His Work Cut Out For Him

Image via MAPPA.

I’m seeing a lot of buzz around Jujutsu Kaisen as the Winter 2026 anime season approaches. It’s already considered one of the biggest shows, often grouped with other popular dark anime, and it’s a really exciting action-adventure series. Those who’ve been following it are counting down the days for more, and it seems like a perfect time for newcomers to jump in – the story is really hitting a peak with incredibly high stakes.

The latest arc in the series, called the Culling Games, delivers intense action that both new and existing fans will enjoy, especially as it takes place after Satoru Gojo’s story. The main character, Yuji Itadori, is facing more danger and hardship than ever before, making his journey particularly compelling compared to other anime heroes this season like those in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes and Fire Force. Plus, this arc introduces a lot of exciting new characters, both allies and enemies.

9. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Brings the Magic Back This Winter

Though Short, This New Season Promises to Be Fantastic

image by Madhouse studio

The anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End quickly became a favorite among anime fans a few years ago, thanks to its emotional story about the elf Frieren and her student, Fern. If you enjoy The Lord of the Rings or Dungeons & Dragons, you’ll likely love this show, which offers a fresh take on the fantasy genre. It explores Frieren’s world through the unique perspective of elven immortality.

The first season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End was a hit, especially the arc focusing on Frieren and Fern’s challenging mage exam. Now that the exam is finished, the story has endless possibilities, and fans are excited to see where it goes next. The upcoming ‘Continued Northern Travels’ arc promises more unpredictable adventures, and those who haven’t read the source material are particularly eager to find out what happens.

8. Golden Kamuy is Set to Conclude its Brutal Adventure in 1900s Japan

The Hunt For Treasure Ends Here

image via Brain’s Base.

The popular anime series Golden Kamuy will finish its story in the Winter 2026 season. Fans who have been following the show for a while will be excited, and those who haven’t watched in a while might want to start catching up before the finale.

Golden Kamuy is a compelling historical anime set in the rugged landscapes of early 1900s Japan. It’s likely to appeal to fans of Westerns, with its focus on treasure hunting, outlaws, and conflicts. However, the show offers much more than just action – it also provides fascinating insights into the Ainu culture, features mouthwatering cooking segments, and balances these with strong dramatic and comedic elements.

7. Sentenced to Be a Hero is the Anime Suicide Squad

Sentenced to Be a Hero is Ideal For Fans of Antiheroes

Image via Studio KAI.

Many popular action anime celebrate heroes as noble and selfless individuals who fight for justice, even when it’s difficult. However, some anime, like Sentenced to Be a Hero, offer a different take. This series presents a world where being a hero isn’t about glory, but a harsh punishment for committing crimes.

This winter’s anime promises exciting fantasy action with a unique spin. Instead of traditional heroes, it features flawed characters—antiheroes—who are forced to atone for their past mistakes by battling the forces of the demon lord. It’s a great choice for fans who enjoy the fantasy genre but are looking for a fresh take on the typical ‘demon king’ story.

6. Fire Force is Prepared For its Blistering Endgame

Shinra Kusakabe Must Save the World at Any Cost

Image via David Productions.

If you’re a fan of action anime, don’t miss Fire Force, which is back this winter. The first season was decent, but now the story is really taking off with huge consequences as the world faces destruction. This is the final part of Season 3, and it picks up right after a shocking cliffhanger.

After learning the shocking truth about the world’s past with Inca’s assistance, Shinra Kusakabe is left uncertain about his next steps. He’s seen things that very few people know, but he worries it might not be enough to prevent another devastating Cataclysm. This creates intense suspense, making the last few episodes of Fire Force truly unmissable.

5. Fate/Strange Fake is a New Entry Point to the Fate Franchise

The Fate Franchise Always Welcomes New Fans With Spinoffs Like This

Image via A-1 Pictures.

The Fate series can seem overwhelming for newcomers, but there are good places to start. Previously, Fate/Zero was a popular choice for those wanting to get into the story, and now Fate/Strange Fake offers another excellent entry point, especially with its release in Winter 2026.

This anime delivers the exciting action fans expect from the Fate series, but it’s also easy for newcomers to jump into. If you haven’t experienced Fate yet, you’re in for a treat, and Fate/Strange Fake is the perfect place to start – especially with its release in 2026. Don’t miss out!

4. Oshi no Ko is Ratcheting Up the Drama For Aqua and Ruby

Ruby Has Stumbled Upon the Morbid Truth

Image via Doga Kobo.

Oshi no Ko quickly became known for its dark, dramatic, and suspenseful storyline, which also sparked some debate. It revolutionized the idol genre more significantly than shows like Zombie Land Saga, focusing on Ruby Hoshino’s dangerous journey into the same industry where her mother died. Meanwhile, her brother Aqua is consumed by a desire for revenge.

With Ruby learning the truth about Aqua’s original body, Season 3 of Oshi no Ko promises to be full of shocking twists. The Hoshino siblings’ past and present are about to clash, and they’ll find themselves facing increasingly dark and complicated challenges as they navigate their new lives.

3. Hell’s Paradise Has Returned as Part of the Dark Trio

Gabimaru Has Never Faced a Challenge Like This Before

Image via studio MAPPA.

I’ve noticed that Hell’s Paradise doesn’t get as much attention as other popular anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, even though it’s a really strong series. With Season 2 on the horizon, and it having been a while since the first season aired, now feels like the perfect time to give it a watch and catch up. It deserves to be talked about just as much as those other shows!

Hell’s Paradise is a thrilling and suspenseful fantasy series set on a dangerous island filled with bizarre plants and hostile inhabitants. The story follows Gabimaru and Sagiri as they struggle to survive an impossible quest, all while confronting their own inner demons.

2. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Explores Deku’s World Through Fresh Eyes

Koichi the Crawler Fights to Keep the Streets Safe

In 2025, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes premiered, offering a skillfully made prequel to My Hero Academia that takes place five years earlier. Similar to the first season of the original series, Season 2 of Vigilantes provides a fresh and engaging look at the world of Quirks. The protagonist, Koichi Haimawari, is an ordinary hero without powerful advantages like One For All, allowing his journey to feel more grounded and realistic.

While My Hero Academia has become quite serious lately, Vigilantes offers a welcome return to the franchise’s earlier, more lighthearted tone. The spinoff still has important storylines, but it’s often surprisingly funny and laid-back. Plus, season two introduces some compelling new villains who will really challenge the main character, Koichi.

1. You And I Are Polar Opposites is a Promising New Rom-Com

Suzuki is a Lovable High School Heroine

Image via studio Lapin Track.

While it might not become an instant classic, the new romantic comedy You And I Are Polar Opposites is definitely worth checking out. It’s joining a great lineup of similar shows like Kaguya-Sama, Komi Can’t Communicate, and Horimiya.

You And I Are Polar Opposites is exactly what the title suggests, offering a different vibe than anime like Hell’s Paradise and Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s a sweet and lighthearted story about Suzuki, a girl who falls for a boy who’s her complete opposite. She loves that he’s so different from her, and to him, she’s a wonderfully new and interesting person.

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2026-01-14 03:07