2025 was an amazing year for anime. It saw the release of some of the biggest new hits, as well as the return of some already established series. But as it stands, Winter 2026 might be even better. The winter 2026 anime season has already begun, and things are looking incredibly exciting for anime fans.
Frieren Season 2 Release Date Officially Confirmed
Frieren Season 2 release date has just been revealed.
From the get-go, some big anime series are making a comeback. The likes of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Jujutsu Kaisen are returning, while new series are also kickstarting, like the Darwin Incident. Fans absolutely cannot wait to dig in as this might be one of the most packed anime seasons in quite a while.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
- Release Date: 16 January, 2026
- Number of Episodes: 10
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is an anime series that first kicked off in 2023 with its first anime season. Immediately, fans all around the world fell in love with it. The series follows the story of the main character, named Frieren, who is an elf with a long lifespan. While she starts off more nonchalant and less considerate of the time she spends with others, the death of the Hero Himmel changes that. Frieren goes on a journey to meet Himmel again.
Frieren and her adventures are returning in Winter 2026. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 is one of the most anticipated releases, and it will kickstart on January 16, 2026.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3
- Release Date: January 9, 2026
- Number of Episodes: 26
The number one most anticipated anime release of Winter 2026, and possibly of the entire year as a whole, is none other than Jujutsu Kaisen. Jujutsu Kaisen already has two fantastic seasons out, with the last one having released in 2023. Now, Jujutsu Kaisen is officially back with Season 3, which has marked the beginning of the long awaited awaited Culling Game arc.
Jujutsu Kaisen is a story about sorcerers and their fights against cursed spirits. In Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, the world’s strongest, Gojo Satoru, was sealed away. Fans can’t wait to see what unfolds in the Culling Game. Luckily for fans, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 already began on January 9, 2026, with not one, but two back-to-back episodes.
My Hero Academia Vigilantes Season 2
- Release Date: January 5, 2026
- Number of Episodes: 13
My Hero Academia’s main anime series ended in 2025 with the full release of Season 8. With no new episodes for the original anime to look forward to, fans have instead focused their attention on the My Hero Academia spin-off, called Vigilantes.
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is a prequel to the MHA series. Instead of Deku, the series follows the story of Koichi. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes season 1 released in 2025, and its second season was one of the first Winter 2026 releases. My Hero Academia Vigilantes Season 2 is already underway, having begun on January 5, 2026. This season will be shorter, with 13 episodes in total.
Fire Force Season 3 Part 2
- Release Date: January 9, 2026
- Number of Episodes: 12 (Anticipated)
Fire Force follows the story of Shinra and the odd phenomenon of spontaneous human combustion. The series has proven to be one of the most popular new anime series out there. Most fans started watching it due to their love for Soul Eater, but quite a lot of the fans have come to like the series for what it is as well. Sadly, Fire Force is now approaching its end. The final season of the story has already started, and fans know that the first cour of the season aired from April 5 to June 21, 2025.
Now, the series has returned in Winter 2026 with its second and final cour. With the release of the second part, Fire Force will be concluded as an anime, and fans are excited to see how this ending will hold up. Fire Force Season 3 Part 2 premiered on January 9, 2026, and while it isn’t completely confirmed, it should have 12 episodes in total.
Oshi No Ko Season 3
- Release Date: January 14, 2026
- Number of Episodes: 11
Oshi No Ko is an exciting anime series that blew up overnight when it first dropped its anime, back in 2023. Since then, Oshi No Ko has received a second season, and now, a third season is on the way, ready to premiere on January 14, 2026. Oshi No Ko Season 3 could be one of the last seasons of the show. After all, the manga is already over. In that regard, many are excited to see how the plot will progress.
Oshi No Ko follows the story of reincarnated twins Aqua and Ruby as they try to uncover the truth of the murder of their mother. Oshi No Ko Season 3 will continue this exciting story with 11 new episodes.
Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
- Release Date: January 22, 2026
- Run Time: 143 Minutes
While most anime fans are looking forward to new anime seasons, upcoming anime movies shouldn’t be overlooked either. The hottest new anime movie coming out in Winter 2026 is none other than Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! Is an exciting new project that will reimagine the tale of the bamboo cutter, one of the most iconic Japanese folk stories out there. This anime movie is coming out on January 22, 2026, but sadly, fans won’t be able to watch it in theaters. This movie will immediately hit the streaming platform, Netflix. With a 2-hour+ run, fans are in for a fun watch, as well as some great music.
The Darwin Incident
- Release Date: January 7, 2026
- Number of Episodes: To Be Determined
The Darwin Incident is easily one of the newest Winter 2026 anime releases that fans are already amazed by. The Darwin Incident began airing its first anime season on January 7, 2026. The series’ plot has intrigued many, as Charlie, the main character, is quite odd. He’s half human, half chimpanzee, also known as a “humanzee.” Charlie was raised by humans for years, but his life is about to undergo a huge shift after catching the attention of the ALA.
While fans know that The Darwin Incident is out already, how many episodes it will have is still unclear for now. It is to be determined by the studio in the upcoming weeks.
Hell’s Paradise Season 2
- Release Date: January 11, 2026
- Number of Episodes: To Be Determined
Hell’s Paradise is a phenomenal series long overdue for an anime continuation. In 2023, Hell’s Paradise finally got an anime, and its first season was released with 13 episodes via MAPPA studio. Thanks to the immense quality, fans immediately fell in love with this story. Since then, fans have patiently been awaiting the second season, and it’s definitely going to be one of the best Winter 2026 releases.
Hell’s Paradise season 2 premieres on January 11, 2026, and at the moment, the number of episodes isn’t clear. Seeing as Season 1 had 13 episodes, fans can expect a similarly short run for Season 2. Hell’s Paradise follows Gabimaru the Hollow. Unable to be executed, he’s instead sent on a mission to retrieve the Elixir of Life.