Anime fans were already eager for the Winter 2026 anime season to begin, given the return of mega hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. While those series are remarkably high in the rankings, the coldest months of the year aren't lacking in other stunning releases, from returning hits to surprising newcomers. The current MAL rankings show that a whopping 10 ongoing series have a rating over 8.0, meaning those hoping to find something fresh to binge-watch have no shortage of content to choose from.
Every Major Anime Studio’s Best Anime of 2025
Anime studios put out tons of great anime every year, but these stand out as each one's best from 2025.
The following series have been consistently well-received by fans as the season approaches its halfway point. Some underdogs could claw their way up, or some of these series could majorly stumble, but at the time of this writing, these series will likely be the winners of Winter 2026.
The following series are all currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Fire Force (Season 3, Part 2)
- Current MAL Rating: 8.04
Fire Force has been a hit since its first season dropped in 2019, making it no surprise that Season 3 was one of the most highly anticipated releases of early 2026. The series follows a group of firefighters with powerful pyrokinetic abilities tasked with battling monsters threatening Tokyo, the last remaining city in a world utterly destroyed by a global fire. Its battle sequences, characters, and story have continued to draw in fans, and its standard shonen sensibilities and unique premise have managed to maintain that audience over the years.
Unfortunately, while the series currently boasts an impressive rating of 8.04 on MAL, that may not last for long. Fire Force Season 3 Part 2 has a whopping 88 chapters of the manga to adapt in only 13 episodes, prompting concern that the show's pacing and quality will drop substantially in the weeks to come. So far, there haven't been any major complaints from the audience, but only time will tell if Fire Force will end the season on a high note.
You and I Are Polar Opposites
- Current MAL Rating: 8.18
While somewhat overlooked in favor of returning heavy-hitters, the romantic comedy anime series You and I Are Polar Opposites has seen incredibly positive reviews since its debut in January 2026. The series follows high school students Miyu and Yusuke, who, as the title suggests, have nothing in common. Miyu is outgoing, noisy, and trendsetting, while Yusuke is an introverted boy who doesn't mince words. They say that opposites attract, and that seems to be the truth, as Miyu falls in love with her quiet classmate without warning, eventually managing to confess.
Viewers have taken to social media to praise the series, which many claim has one of the best first episodes of the season. The characters have quickly won over fans' hearts, and the animation has also been applauded for its vibrant use of color and clean cuts. Those looking for a feel-good anime to binge in the midst of so many dark series may want to give this romcom a try.
Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku (Season 2)
- Current MAL Rating: 8.21
The first season of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku was an instant hit when the anime debuted in 2023, with viewers instantly hooked on its action, characters, and stunning animation quality. The dark fantasy action series, set in Japan's Edo period, follows the ninja Gabimaru and the executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri as the pair embark on a quest to find the legendary elixir of immortality. This is particularly important for Gabimaru, as he has been sentenced to death, and the only way to receive a pardon for his past crimes is to track down this mysterious substance.
Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku Season 1 Review
A review of the first season of the Spring 2023 anime adaptation of Yuji Kaku's Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku.
Fans were over the moon when Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku returned in January 2026, and Season 2 is shaping up to be even better, with the animation showing even more polish and the Lord Tensen Arc already packed with brutal action sequences as Sagiri and Gabimaru grow as characters. With an impressive rating of 8.21 on MAL, supporters of the series hope to see its second season end as excitingly as it began.
Sentenced to Be a Hero
- Current MAL Rating: 8.23
Sentenced to Be a Hero was the first anime series to make a huge splash this season, and for good reason. Its hour-long debut episode, which aired on January 3, started 2026 off with a bang, wowing viewers with its cinematic visuals, unique story, and heart-pounding action right out of the gate. Xylo Forbartz is a former knight commander found guilty of killing a goddess, the most terrible crime a person can commit. As punishment, he is named a Hero, something looked down upon by all of society. In this world, Heroes are forced to fight terrifying monsters for all eternity, being resurrected each time they die with a little less of their humanity. During a mission, Xylo meets the sword goddess Teoritta, and the two strike up an uneasy alliance.
Reviews for Sentenced to Be a Hero have remained high, with its fantasy world filled with mystery and its characters interesting and likable, with Xylo's gruff nature a perfect match for Teoritta's boundless energy and optimism. It's hard not to get hooked after the first episode, as many viewers will agree. For some, it's currently the My Hero Academia replacement of choice.
Golden Kamuy (Final Season)
- Current MAL Rating: 8.31
After nearly eight long years, the final chapter of the historical adventure series Golden Kamuy has arrived, and it isn't disappointing so far. Kicking off its anime run in April 2018, the show tells the story of Saichi Sugimoto, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War, and his ongoing quest to find a massive quantity of gold kept by the Ainu people while being guided by a young Ainu girl named Asirpa. The show was quick to find a dedicated fan base for its story and action, but it has remained in the limelight for its deeper appeal, focusing on the difficulties of war veterans, the concept of survivor's guilt, and much more.
The final season of Golden Kamuy tackles the final arc of Satoru Noda's manga series, and viewers have already commented on its improved animation and faithful adaptation of the comics. Looking forward, the animation studio Brain's Base has several other releases planned for 2026, including the romantic comedy Yowayowa Sensei in April and the fantasy series The Level 999 Villager later in the year.
Fate/strange Fake
- Current MAL Rating: 8.51
The continuation of Fate/strange Fake has been a long time coming. The light novel series saw its first anime adaptation in July 2023, with a second series airing in December 2024 and only continuing this January. In the same vein as other Fate entries, the show tells the tale of a Holy Grail War, in which participants must summon Heroic Spirits to fight for the Holy Grail, an object rumored to grant any wish and fulfill any desire, no matter how large. This time around, however, the Masters and Servants aren't what they seem, and the mysterious conflicts kick off immediately with this season's first episode.
Compared to the previously released episodes, this run of Fate/strange Fake features smoother animation, a more chaotic story, and increasingly satisfying action scenes. While it may not be what longtime fans have come to expect, it has managed to surprise viewers all the same, with the aesthetic shift being the catalyst to drive newcomers to the long-running franchise. Reaching a rating of 8.51 on MAL is no easy feat.
Oshi no Ko (Season 3)
- Current MAL Rating: 8.53
While Oshi no Ko has had its fair share of ups and downs since its first anime season aired in 2023, it's starting to win back its audience. The somewhat bizarre series started with Gorou Amamiya, a doctor tasked with secretly delivering the twins of mega pop idol Ai Hoshino, of whom he is a massive fan. Unfortunately, he is murdered the night of the birth, and subsequently reincarnated as her son, Aqua, retaining the memories of his past life. His fraternal twin sister, Ruby, is also a reincarnation, having formerly lived as a patient of Gorou's who also adored Ai. When the idol herself is murdered by the same fan who killed Gorou, the pair decides to infiltrate the entertainment industry to get their revenge.
As Oshi no Ko Season 3 begins, Aqua continues to become well-known as a personality, while Ruby continues to lie to make her way to the top. Fans are smitten with the show's storytelling right off the bat, with its blend of humor and darkness making it one of the most anticipated releases of Winter 2026. The third season's quick start and writing are making waves online, and fans hope that its brilliant execution will continue until the finale.
Journal with Witch
- Current MAL Rating: 8.58
When considering which anime will make it to the pinnacle each season, a few requirements spring to mind: fast-paced action, a battle between good and evil, unique fantasy worlds, or perhaps a lengthy epic will likely land at the top. However, in Winter 2026, one anime series quickly broke the mold and became a fan favorite right away, despite boasting none of these qualities. Journal with Witch tells a realistic story of grief and self-reflection, and because of this, it struck a chord with countless viewers, many of whom have taken to social media to share the importance of this unique piece of media.
Journal with Witch tells the story of Asa Takumi, a 15-year-old girl beginning high school who recently lost her parents in a car wreck. The only family that can take her in is her aunt, Makio Kodai, who was long estranged from Asa's mother and prefers quiet and solitude. Asa moves in, and the pair begin to face their new reality and the many troubles that come with it, both growing at their own pace. The series tackles plenty of dark topics, but there are also laughs to be had, and certainly a lesson to be learned.
Jujutsu Kaisen (Season 3, Part 1)
- Current MAL Rating: 8.60
Perhaps a series that needs no introduction, it's no wonder that Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the highest-rated series on MAL at the moment. The new episodes follow the manga's Culling Game story arc, during which the main cast must fight off Kenjaku and free popular character Satoru Gojo from the Prison Realm. As the name would suggest, the Culling Game is no joke, functioning as a lethal battle royale in which players must kill one another as they fight across 10 barrier colonies across Japan. The action is certainly here, along with plenty of familiar faces and catchy tunes.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Every Special Grade Curse, Ranked
Special Grade curses are exceptionally powerful, and they can make short work of the best sorcerers.
While fan reception has been largely positive, pumping the series' score up to 8.60 at the time of writing, not all feedback to Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 has been positive. Some reviews have pointed out lazy animation, while others are questioning the show's direction and writing when compared to previous seasons. Others have fought back against these criticisms, stating that those speaking negatively are simply frustrated that the anime adaptation isn't a panel-by-panel recreation of the manga.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (Season 2)
- Current MAL Rating: 9.20
The only Winter 2026 anime series to break a 9.0 on MAL is the second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, which continues to blow audiences away each week with its blend of gentle storytelling and high-octane magical action. Though the latter has been less apparent in Season 2 so far, fans don't seem perturbed, as Frieren has always focused largely on emotion and side-quests rather than continuous battles or complex plotlines. This slow pace has been mocked by some, but the numbers don't lie, and it's clear that knocking this fantasy series from its pedestal would take a miracle at this point.
While the Winter 2026 anime season has been stacked, the rest of the year also has plenty in store. Spring will see the return of several major series, including Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Classroom of the Elite, and One Piece. Additionally, a new Ghost in the Shell series is coming in July, and The Apothecary Diaries will finally return this fall.