'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 and 7 Other Most Anticipated Anime of Winter 2026

The beginning of 2026 is shaping up to be a true feast for anime fans, with long-awaited new seasons and brand-new projects.

The winter season will be one of the most action-packed and vibrant in recent memory, with the third season of Jujutsu Kaisen poised to be its highlight and fan favorite.

1. 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' Season 2

Release Date: January 2026

In the second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Frieren continues her leisurely journey. This time, she heads north to the demon lands, where the souls of fallen heroes are said to reside.

Accompanied by Fern and Stark, she will face harsh trials, battle monsters, and explore ancient dungeons.

Madhouse continues to work on the series. First-season director Keiichiro Saito remains on board as supervisor, while Tomoya Kitagawa takes over as primary director. Kitagawa worked on the storyboards and directed several episodes of the first season.

2. 'Ikoku Nikki'

Release Date: January 2026

When writer Makio Kodai's older sister died in a car accident, Makio was left cold by the tragedy. Although Makio's relationship with her sister was rocky, she couldn't turn a blind eye to her niece's despair after she became an orphan.

Taking the girl under her wing, the somewhat reclusive Makio tried to help her cope with her loss by suggesting she start a diary.

3. 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3

Release Date: January 8, 2026

The massive battle in Shibuya may be over, but the world of sorcerers has yet to recover from its aftermath. After the sorcerers were crushed, Tokyo was plunged into chaos.

Hundreds of cursed spirits have been unleashed, and the cunning manipulator Kenjaku – possessing the body of Suguru Geto – is beginning the next phase of his devious plan.

Kenjaku awakens magical abilities in thousands of ordinary people, turning Japan into a deadly experimental field – a game in which people are forced to fight to the death according to his twisted rules.

While Satoru Gojo remains sealed, Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and their allies must act independently. Meanwhile, Yuta Okkotsu, whom we know from Jujustu Kaisen 0, has been ordered to kill Itadori.

4. 'The Darwin Incident'

Release Date: January 2026

The Animal Liberation Alliance, a terrorist organization, attacked a research institute and rescued a pregnant female chimpanzee.

She gave birth to a chimpanzee-human hybrid named Charlie. After being fostered by scientists for fifteen years, Charlie enrolls in high school. There, he meets Lucy, a bookish girl who struggles to connect with her peers.

5. 'Hell's Paradise' Season 2

Release Date: January 2026

Gabimaru, a skilled ninja from the village of Imaria, was sentenced to death, but was offered a chance to survive. To stay alive, he must travel to Shinsenkyo Island and search for the elixir of life.

While Gabimaru survived in the wild and faced dangerous monsters in the first season, the challenges become even more serious in the second season. Now, he and his friends must confront the immortal rulers called Tensen.

6. 'Trigun Stargaze'

Release Date: January 2026

Trigun is a cult franchise that began with a manga series created by Yasuhiro Nightow in 1995. Set in a post-apocalyptic world on the planet Gunsmoke, the series follows the wandering gunslinger Vash, who tries to avoid violence but constantly finds himself in dangerous situations.

The series' main conflict revolves around Vash's brother, Knives. Unlike Vash, who tries not to kill, Knives sees humans as parasites and is willing to destroy them to "save" the planet.

Trigun Stargaze is the final season of the franchise reboot and continues the events of Trigun Stampede. The story takes place two and a half years after a catastrophe destroyed an entire city and plunged the planet into chaos.

7. 'Oshi no Ko' Season 3

Release Date: January 14, 2026

The third season will focus on two storylines from the eighth volume of the manga, shifting the focus from Aqua to Ruby.

Aware of Dr. Gorou's tragedy, Ruby searches for his killer while performing in the revived B-Komachi cast. She gains popularity through her web show, where the competition for audience attention gets more and more intense.

Meanwhile, Aqua continues his acting career with Akane, but old traumas resurface, reminding him of the past.

8. 'Medalist' Season 2

Release Date: January 2026

Inori Yuitsuka and her coach, Tsukasa Akeuraji, have just begun their journey. The first season showed how they found each other and qualified. Now, it's time for the big leagues.

In the second season, Inori will compete in major regional ice skating tournaments where she will face new opponents who are incredibly talented.