10 must-see anime in the 2026 winter anime season

Each anime season brings fans new gems in all genres. 2025 had some notable seasons with similar shows Dandadan and Ranma 1/2and 2026 keeps the hype going with its own titles. First up is the winter anime season, which is kicking into high gear with some truly impressive titles.

Plenty of new and familiar anime promise to keep fans busy during these chilly months, and the best anime are not to be missed. Popular and even instant classic anime keep fans coming back for more, and a few new titles also deserve a chance to build their own fan base. All of these fantastic titles showcase what the medium is capable of and prove that every genre has something to offer.

10

Jujutsu Kaisen begins the Culling Games

Yuji Itadori has his work cut out for him

No anime dominates the Winter 2026 lineup more than Jujutsu Kaisenan outstanding member of the “dark trio” and a must-see shonen adventure. Existing fans are eager to get back into the story, while supporters are more encouraged than ever to see what all the fuss is about. Now is a great time to explore Jujutsu Kaisen as the stakes reach amazing new heights.

New and long-time fans are sure to love the dark action of Culling Games, a bold new arc in the post-Satoru Gojo era. Protagonist Yuji Itadori has thinner armor and more suffering than ever, making him stand out from anime heroes such as My Hero Academia: Vigilantes and Fire Force this season. It's also a great time to meet lots of great new characters, friends and foes alike.

9

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End brings magic this winter

Although this new season is short, it promises to be fantastic

Fantasy anime a few years ago Frieren: Beyond Journey's End rocked the anime world with its grief-stricken elven hero Frieren and her apprentice Fern. This anime is perfect for fans lord of the rings and Dungeons & Dragonsand offers a unique perspective that these franchises don't have. Elven immortality is the lens through which fans see Frieren's world.

Meaty first season Frieren: Beyond Journey's End thrilled viewers with the First Class Mage Arc where Frieren and Fern were tested like never before. Part of the appeal of anime is that now that the trial is over, the story can go absolutely anywhere. The Continued Northern Travels Arc beckons, and anime-only fans can't wait to see what unpredictable adventures it will bring.

8

Golden Kamuy completes his brutal adventure in 20th century Japan

The treasure hunt ends here

Long lasting Golden Kamuy the anime is finally ready to wrap up its exciting story here in the winter season of 2026. Long-time fans of the franchise are sure to love it, and anyone who has forgotten or dropped the anime is encouraged to pick it back up in time for this final season.

Golden Kamuy has broad appeal as a historical seinen anime set in a rustic 1900s setting. It should attract fans of American westerns with its themes of tough outlaws hunting treasure and fighting each other, though there's more to it than that. Golden Kamuy also entertains anime viewers with fun entertainment about the Ainu people, wonderful cooking scenes, and solid drama and comedy.

7

Sentenced to Be a Hero is a Suicide Squad Anime

Sentenced to Be a Hero is perfect for fans of anti-heroes

A lot of shonen anime celebrates heroes as noble, selfless fighters who stand up for what's right when no one else will. Sometimes like a subversive anime Doomed to be a hero twists that idea into something darker and weirder. In the world of this anime, being a hero is a violent punishment for a crime, not a challenge to greatness.

The anime is set to entertain fans this winter with gritty anti-heroes and other types of anti-heroes as the 'heroes' pay for their crimes by fighting the demon lord's forces. All of this is a great setup for anime fans who love fantasy action but need a twist or two with the “demon king” archetype.

6

Fire Force is ready for its terrifying endgame

Shinra Kusakabe must save the world at any cost

Fire Force is one of several excellent anime making a comeback this winter, and fans should not miss it. Fire Force It felt a bit generic in Season 1, but now a whole plot has been fleshed out, creating exciting stakes as the world approaches the end. Specifically, it is the third and final episode of Season 3, with a story that will continue after the amazing cliffhanger.

Protagonist Shinra Kusakabe has witnessed a bizarre, eye-opening truth about the world revealed earlier thanks to Inc's help, and now he's not sure where to go from here. Shinra has seen things that few have seen, but it may be too late to save the world from another Cataclysm. Such tension makes the last handful Fire Force episodes a must-see experience.

5

Fate/Strange Fake is a new entry point to the Fate franchise

The Fate franchise always welcomes new fans with spinoffs like this

Vast Fate franchise can be intimidating for new fans looking to dive into the story, but there are clear entry points. A few years ago, fans could wade Fate water with Fate/Zeroand the winter 2026 season offers another entry point: Fate/Strange Fake.

This anime is classic Fate action while being an accessible spinoff that everyone can enjoy. By 2026, anyone who hasn't tried it Fate the franchise is seriously lacking, so Fate/Strange Fake is a convenient entry point with perfect timing that everyone should take advantage of.

4

Oshi no Ko sets up drama for Aqua and Ruby

Ruby stumbled upon a morbid truth

Oshi no Ko it quickly developed a reputation for being a dark, dramatic and tense story with some controversy. Oshi no Ko turned the idol genre on its head much more than as an anime Saga of zombie land when Ruby Hoshino played with fire when she entered the industry that claimed her mother's life. Meanwhile, her brother Aqua loses his soul to get revenge.

All of this, combined with the shocking discovery of Ruby's original Aqua body, means Season 3 Oshi no Ko is set to enthrall fans with its dramatic plot twists. The Hoshino siblings' past and present are about to collide in mind-boggling ways as they wade further into dark and confusing territory in their new lives.

3

Infernal Paradise returned as part of the Dark Trio

Gabimaru had never faced such a challenge before

Hell's paradise is an overlooked part of the “dark trio” with Jujutsu Kaisen and A man with a chainsaw get most of the attention. Winter 2026 is a great time to rebalance this trio Hell's paradise has been off the air for a while. Anyone who hasn't seen it yet should check it out now and get caught up as Season 2 rolls around.

Hell's paradise is a terrifying and suspenseful fantasy-lite exploration of a strange island where plants and aggressive natives create danger around every corner. All the while, co-protagonists Gabimaru and Sagiri navigate their own tense personal arcs, fighting for their very survival on this impossible mission.

2

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes explores the world of Deku Fresh Eyes

Koichi The Crawler fights to keep the streets safe

2025 saw coming My Hero Academia: Vigilantesan excellent prequel to the original My Hero Academia set five years earlier. Just like the first season, season 2 Vigilantes is a welcome new take on the world of Quirks. Underdog Koichi Haimawari isn't burdened with plots like One For All, so he can move more naturally in this world.

Of course, there are some valuable stakes in this spinoff anime, but Vigilantes it's also refreshingly goofy and more often than not relaxed. This restores the sense of fun that the franchise has largely abandoned My Hero Academiathe last two seasons. Season 2 will also see the rise of some fantastic villains who will test Koichi in ways he's not quite ready for.

1

You and I Are Polar Opposites is a promising new Rom-Com

Suzuki is a lovable high school heroine

One of the most notable new titles in Winter 2026 may not become a modern classic, but it's still worth checking out. The romantic comedy genre is home to popular titles such as Kaguya-sama, Komi can't communicateand Horimiyaand now You and I are polar opposites is about to join their ranks.

You and I are polar opposites it delivers exactly what it promises while also contrasting nicely with similar titles Hell's paradise and Jujutsu Kaisen. It's an innocent, light-hearted anime where the heroine Suzuki is smitten by a boy who is so different from her, and it's a wonder they ever became friends. Suzuki adores Tani precisely because she is so unlike her, which makes Tani feel wonderfully refreshing and fascinating in Suzuki's enamored eyes.