Japan Has Officially Chosen Its Best Winter 2026 Anime

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Anime fans are always eager to see which shows are popular in Japan, where anime originates, each season. The Winter 2026 season has gotten off to a fantastic start, giving Japanese viewers a lot of great anime to pick from.

Fans in Japan have finally learned which anime was most streamed this season, and it’s Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 – no surprise there! Even though it’s received some criticism within Japan, Jujutsu Kaisen remains incredibly popular worldwide, and its compelling story continues to draw in viewers. With strong popularity both in Japan and internationally, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is clearly the standout anime of Winter 2026 and a likely candidate for Anime of the Year.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is Japan’s Number 1 Winter 2026 Anime

A Hit Anime Both in Japan and Abroad

Dwango Co. Ltd. recently announced the most popular anime in Japan for the Winter 2026 season, according to data from its streaming services. Essentially, the rankings for the top anime series have been released.

To determine the most popular anime of Winter 2026, we looked at the number of views and comments. While many new shows were competing for attention, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 clearly came out on top. After a two-year wait, fans were thrilled to see the return of this popular series, and the start of the highly anticipated Culling Game arc. From the very beginning, it’s been an exciting and intense season.

After five episodes, it’s obvious the show has become incredibly popular in Japan and around the world. Fans are eagerly anticipating the next episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen and are excited to see the Culling Game really get going.

JJK Season 3 Is Still Huge In Japan Despite Major Criticism

Jujutsu Kaisen Is The Biggest Modern Shonen

Jujutsu Kaisen fans in Japan have recently expressed criticism of the anime, particularly the episode centered around Maki Zenin. Some viewers were unhappy with the creative changes made in Season 3 compared to the original manga. While the anime takes some liberties in its adaptation, it generally remains true to the source material.

Despite being a well-made show, the third season of Jujutsu Kaisen, specifically episode 4, received a lot of criticism, especially in Japan. While international viewers gave it a near-perfect score of 9.8 out of 10, Japanese fans rated it much lower. They were disappointed with how the director portrayed Toji Fushiguro and felt that certain Zenin clan characters weren’t developed enough, which negatively impacted the storyline surrounding the Zenin clan massacre.

Considering how good the episode actually was, some of the criticism seems excessive. Adapting an anime like Jujutsu Kaisen – which covers three or four chapters per episode – means not every single moment from the original manga can be included. The anime needs to prioritize the most important parts, and in this case, the Culling Game arc has been adapted exceptionally well.

Despite the recent criticism, Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK) is still incredibly popular in Japan, remaining the most-watched series currently airing. It seems most of the negative feedback stems from a small group of fans who were disappointed with Episode 4 of Season 3, while the majority of viewers continue to watch each week.

Other Popular Hits In Japan Include Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 And Fate/strange Fake

While Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is currently the most popular anime in Japan, it’s not the only successful series. Several other anime are also performing very well, and PR Times has identified the top ten. Fans are excited about these shows and happy to see them receiving recognition alongside Jujutsu Kaisen.

Currently, Fate/strange Fake is the second most popular anime in Japan. The Fate series has long been a favorite among Japanese viewers, consistently gaining new games, merchandise, and additional content. The latest season is particularly impressive, boasting exceptional art, animation, and overall direction.

Besides Jujutsu Kaisen and Fate, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is also a huge hit with anime fans. The show came back in January 2026 and quickly became incredibly popular, landing at number three on many lists. Viewers were eagerly anticipating its return, and it certainly lived up to the hype. Frieren Season 2 has also been praised internationally and currently holds the top spot as the highest-rated anime of all time on MyAnimeList (MAL).

The Rest of Japan’s Top 10 Include the Likes of Oshi no Ko and Sentenced to be A Hero

Jujutsu Kaisen, Fate, and Frieren are currently the three most popular anime in Japan, but the entire top 10 list is full of excellent shows. While some of these series are already well-known internationally, others are just starting to gain popularity outside of Japan. Notably, Season 3 of Oshi no Ko ranks at number 4. It’s become incredibly popular both in Japan and around the world, making its high ranking very understandable.

The anime series Sentenced to be a Hero is currently ranked at number 5. It’s a recent surprise hit that’s quickly become popular with anime fans worldwide, captivating viewers in both Japan and other countries with just a handful of episodes.

While many of the top 10 series aren’t well-known internationally, they are very popular in Japan and include:

  • Shiboyugi: Playing Death Games to Put Food On the Table (6th)
  • Jack-Of-All-Trades, Party of None (7th)
  • Wash It All Away (8th)
  • High School! Kimengumi (2026) (9th)
  • Tis Time For “Torture,” Princess Season 2 (10th)

If you haven’t seen these anime yet, they’re really worth watching – they have a lot to offer.

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2026-02-05 15:35