Sitting at the midpoint of 2026 means that we already have two seasons of anime series behind us. Every year, anime watchers are given an abundance of series to devour, with streamers greenlighting new shows on the regular. With the success of films like KPop Demon Hunters and series like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen continuing to deliver, this could be just the start of anime truly taking over the American mainstream.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, now is the perfect time to look back at the Winter and Spring anime seasons to determine 2026’s best (so far). The hard part is that there have been so many dope shows, many tackling themes in their own unique ways; the easy part is getting lost in what each series has to offer. Whether you’re new to anime or if Crunchyroll is the only tab open on your browser, here’s a look at the best anime of 2026 (so far).
Golden Kamuy (Final Season)
Genre: Historical, adventure
Rating: TV-MA
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
Though not the official end of Golden Kamuy completely (as the “Runaway Train” arc will be getting its own adaptation later this year), this fifth season of Golden Kamuy did feel like the closing of a chapter on one of the best anime series of the decade. If you’re not a fan of the increase of humor in the series (which really started in Season 4), but there’s so much to marvel at within this series that the positives of Golden Kamuy outweigh the negatives. —khal
Nippon Sangoku
Genre: Post-apocalyptic
Rating: TV-MA
Where to Watch: Prime Video
After the impact of a nuclear war and deadly viruses ravaging the world’s population, a revolution at the heart of a fractured Japan—itself divided into three kingdoms—can seemingly only be unified by one man, Aoteru Misumi. This fantastic look at the Three Kingdoms features beautiful visuals and dynamic writing, a one-two punch that has Nippon Sangoku edging out your favorite series. —khal
Daemons of the Shadow Realm
Genre: Adventure, fantasy
Rating: TV-MA
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Disney+
Daemons of the Shadow Realm arrives with immediate gravity simply by carrying Hiromu Arakawa’s name, the creator behind Fullmetal Alchemist, whose work has long set a benchmark for any Anime trying to stand amongst the greats. What makes this new series stand out is how confidently it builds its world without rushing to explain everything, letting the mystery and tension do the heavy lifting while things slowly start to click into place. There’s a gritty, supernatural edge to it that feels grounded but still strange enough to keep you hooked, like something bigger is always just out of frame. If you want to get in early to something special, made by one of the greatest modern Mangakas, Daemons of the Shadow Realm is already shaping up to be just that. —James Granados
Re:Zero (Season 4)
Genre: Adventure, fantasy
Rating: TV-MA
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu
With that four-year gap between Seasons 2 and 3, it was kind of a shock when Re:Zero returned roughly a year after the end of Season 3, which has been great, as Re:Zero hasn’t lost a step. The series can be jarring—bouncing from big laughs from Subaru to sharp left turns into horror can do that to you, but if you’ve stuck with Re:Zero for this long, these kinds of shifts work well within the story being told. —khal
Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Genre: Adventure, supernatural
Rating: TV-MA
Where to Watch: Netflix
Steel Ball Run is an adaptation of the seventh installment of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series, an interesting choice considering its history, being the first to not carry the JoJo’s name when the manga was first released, which made sense when you realized how much of a reboot of JoJo’s it truly felt. And yet, for a series that feels like such a departure, Steel Ball Run truly takes it back to the beginning, giving you Phantom of the Blood vibes—but in the Wild West. Again, it shouldn’t make sense, but somehow the team pulled it off, turning this into a celebration of many things JoJo’s. —khal
One Piece (Season 22)
Genre: Adventure, fantasy, comedy
Rating: TV-14
Where to Watch: Netflix
Season 22 of One Piece is truly a beast. Returning this Spring with the “Elbaph” arc, bringing Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates into the land of the Giants, finally paying off a reveal viewers have been waiting for for decades. It was a welcome return after a brief hiatus (done in part to how One Piece is now being released), bringing amazing visuals and a great pace, necessary when dealing with the mysteries found on Elbaph Island. —khal
Witch Hat Atelier
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: TV-PG
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
If you’re looking for pure “magic” in your anime, look no further than Witch Hat Atelier, which premiered almost ten full years following the debut of the manga it's adapted from. A gorgeous-looking coming-of-age story, Witch Hat Atelier follows Coco, an apprentice witch who is looking to become a real witch…so she can bring back her mother, whom she accidentally turned into stone. That means learning the mystical arts in an atelier, which opens the door to a fantastic tale that leaves room to be as hilarious or as serious as it needs to be. Witch Hat Atelier is mesmerizing, enchanting viewers who didn’t think they’d become so enthralled with the series. —khal
Hell’s Paradise (Season 2)
Genre: Action, thriller, fantasy
Rating: TV-MA
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
With MAPPA currently going ham right now, Hell’s Paradise was going to make an appearance on this list. And while their golden goose resides higher on this list for a reason, Season 2 of Hell’s Paradise deserves its spot, not just because it delivers on the visuals, particularly with its stunning action sequences, but it then backs that up with its writing. There’s a lot of great character work woven into the fabric of Hell’s Paradise, which allows fans to continue watching during the awkward early part of this season and rewards them for sticking through it. —khal
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Season 2)
Genre: Drama, adventure
Rating: TV-14
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Madhouse’s Frieren comes down off the high of Season 1, settling into a more day-to-day look at these heroes we’ve come to love after their epic adventures last season. The slowing of the series' pace is how things should naturally progress, and the beauty is that the smaller moments end up standing out more. It’s been great to see Stark giving more of a spotlight this season, creating a unique trio with Frieren and Fern, which makes it easier to check in on them in more mundane situations. The beauty lies in the balance of drama and the everyday, and by stripping the story of its more grandiose elements, Frieren becomes a more intimate tale about the relationships at the heart of truly triumphant moments. —khal
Jujutsu Kaisen (Season 3)
Genre: Adventure, supernatural, fantasy
Rating: TV-MA
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 pushes the series into even darker and more stylistically ambitious territory, blending brutal violence with emotional weight that doesn’t allow your eyes to leave the screen for even a second. The season stands out for its sharp creative direction, weaving in cinematic references to Kill Bill and other film techniques that give key sequences a distinct visual identity. It also delivers some of the highest-rated episodes in the series’ history, with fans and critics alike praising the animation, pacing, and emotional payoff at an elite level. While it faced some criticism from Japanese viewers for not sticking as closely to the source material, that stylistic freedom ultimately sets it apart and reinforces what makes MAPPA one of the most sought-after animation studios in the industry. The characters remain deeply affecting, the stakes keep rising, and the storytelling refuses to slow down, turning every episode into a must-watch event. —James Granados
