2026 is shaping up to be one of the greatest years for anime, if the greatest in recent history. Tons of new exciting manga are getting an anime adaptation, and other more renowned anime are making a comeback, including the legendary Big 3.
Among all the anime that are making a comeback in full force, one of Japan's biggest and most consumed genres, Isekai, cannot be forgotten either. 2026 is going to be absolutely huge for the Isekai anime series, and it can be said that for the first time in a while, the big three of this genre, That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime, Re: Zero, and Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, are all going to return.
Isekai Is One Of The Most Popular Anime Genres In Japan
Isekai Anime Have Gained Great Popularity Overseas Too
In a plethora of amazing anime series, the Isekai series has continued to maintain immense popularity over the years. It can be said that they're only getting more popular, having become a mainstream genre of anime. Isekai refers to “other worldly” anime series that take place in a different world from the one that some of the characters started in. Generally, Isekai series follow protagonists who have reincarnated in another world. Of course, there are exceptions, but this is the general rule of Isekai.
Isekai series definitely allow for some of the most compelling worldbuilding, especially with most ending up in a fantasy world. This genre has always been popular in Japan, which has conversely also led to it dropping in popularity and becoming oversaturated. Overseas, Isekai anime have definitely been catching up, and fans are seeing a flux of brilliant Isekai series, and even Isekai adjacent series pop up. For example, in 2025, fans saw Lord of Mysteries air, which is a Chinese Isekai series.
The recent years also saw the release of Solo Leveling, another series heavily inspired by the Isekai genre that became a major hit. Isekai series have immense potential, and 2026 might fully exploit that with major anime series returning.
Three Of The Biggest Isekai Series Are Making a Comeback In 2026
There were definitely some big releases for the Isekai genre in 2025, but all that will pale in comparison to what's coming next year, in 2026. The three of the biggest Isekai series of Japan are returning in 2026, as officially confirmed by their respective studios. These anime series are:
- Re:Zero Season 4
- That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
- Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3
Fans are excited for each one of these anime to air, but also for them to light up the Isekai genre in a way never seen before.
Re:Zero Season 4 Is Coming in April 2026
Re:Zero is, undoubtedly, the king of Isekai, and that's something that not many fans would argue with. It is one of the many anime that greatly popularized the Isekai genre overseas. The Re:Zero anime is still going strong and adapting its captivating novel series.
Re:Zero already has three seasons out, with the first one dating back to 2016. In 2026, the series is returning with its fourth season, which is a highly anticipated release for April 2026. Fans can't wait to see Subaru Natsuki back and explore a ton of lore that's there to discover in this brilliant world.
That Time I Was Reincarnated As A Slime is Getting a New Movie And Season 4 Begins April 2026
When it comes to popular isekai series, one can't ignore That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime. This anime has proven to be one of the biggest isekai series in Japan and this is well reflected in how many projects it’s receiving one after the other. At the moment, it is the biggest anime series on the overseas anime platform, Crunchyroll. That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime has the most ratings, which definitely goes to show its huge popularity. So far, the series has received 3 anime seasons and it's making its biggest comeback ever in 2026 with a fourth season, which is also coming in April 2026. However, this is not where it ends for this fan favorite anime as far as 2026 goes.
Indeed, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is also releasing a new movie in February 2026. That Time I Got Reincarnated as Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea is expected to be released in Japan on February 27, 2026. International releases should follow not too long after. That Time I Got Reincarnated as Slime's new movie could be the next major anime movie hit after the likes of Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Is A Highly Anticipated Release For July 2026
Aside from Re: Zero and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, there is another major isekai anime series making a return this year, and that is Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. Mushoku Tensei has dealt with many controversies over the years, but its impact is undeniable. The series has done its part when it comes to popularizing isekai series around the world. Its setting and story have definitely caught the attention of many, and of course, it was, unsurprisingly, renewed for a third season. Mushoku Tensei Season 3 will be released in July 2026, which is not too long after the other two big Isekai series. Hopefully, the story adapted is more interesting than what came before.
New Hit Isekai Anime Is Coming For Demon Slayer's Throne In 2026
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle has been a huge hit, but this Isekai movie might be coming for its throne in 2026.
Other Big Isekai That Could Return In 2026
That Time I was Reincarnated As A Slime, Re:Zero, and Mushoku Tensei are definitely some of the most popular Isekai series both in Japan and Overseas. But they're not the only big series that could return this year. Another big anime series in the isekai genre that fans have grown to love is KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!, and it could also make a comeback.
Konosuba has proven to be a huge hit and fans were excited to learn that it was renewed for a fourth season not too long ago. It is entirely possible that Konosuba will join the other Big Three of Isekai and come back in 2026. Sadly however, at the moment, Konosuba Season 4 does not have a release date. Still, it's definitely a possibility for it to drop sometime in late 2026, although a 2027 release isn't out of the realm of possibilities either. Either way, this new TV anime season should be an amazing watch, whenever it drops.
- Release Date
- October 5, 2018
- Directors
- Yasuhito Kikuchi
- Writers
- Kazuyuki Fudeyasu
Cast
-
Brittney Karbowski -
Alexis Tipton
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on Fuse's novel and light novel series, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an isekai anime that follows Rimuru, a guy who reincarnates in a fantasy world as its weakest monster. However, that soon changes.
- Studio
- 8bit
- Creator
- Fuse
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
