'Witch Hat Atelier' and 4 Other Best Anime Titles Released in 2026, Ranked by IMDb

After a year packed with hits, it seemed as though Japanese animation might slow down – but that certainly wasn't the case. From the beginning of the year, renowned studios have released dozens of big premieres.

2026 has already made its mark with bold genre experiments and stunning visuals that are impossible to look away from.

5. 'Marriagetoxin', 2026-...

IMDb Score: 7.3/10

Several ancient clans around the world specialize in assassination. Hikaru Gero is the heir to one of these clans and has been trained since childhood in the secret art of poisoning.

He has become so consumed by the family trade that he has neglected everything else. Consequently, when the clan head makes a demand of him, he is at a loss. The leader insists that he produce an heir, issuing an ultimatum: either Hikaru takes on the task or the responsibility falls to his sister.

With no other choice, the assassin turns to a marriage swindler for advice – a woman who happened to cross his path when she was the target of one of his contracts.

4. 'Daemons of the Shadow Realm', 2026-...

IMDb Score: 8.1/10

Yuru and Asa are twins born in a remote mountain village cut off from the rest of the world. From birth, their roles were defined: Yuru trained in hunting and martial arts, while Asa lived in seclusion, performing rituals whose true meaning she didn't fully grasp.

Their strange way of life collapsed when armed strangers invaded the village, killing nearly all the inhabitants in their search for Yuru. The girl he believed to be his sister perished as well, but another woman claims to be the real Asa.

This unexpected encounter marks the beginning of a new chapter in the twins' lives, one filled with bizarre adventures and startling revelations.

3. 'Nippon Sangoku: The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun', 2026-...

IMDb Score: 8.4/10

Japan missed the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In its wake came nuclear war, epidemics, and natural disasters. The country regressed to the pre-industrial Meiji era and split into three warring states: Yamato, Buo, and Seii.

A century later, a young man named Aoteru Misumi, whose life was ruined by the arbitrary actions of the political elite, resolved to reunite Japan and dismantle the corrupt system from within. His only weapon is his phenomenal intellect.

2. 'Journal with Witch', 2026

IMDb Score: 8.5/10

15-year-old Asa witnessed her parents' death in a car accident. Her reclusive, middle-aged aunt Makio took her in.

Although Makio never got along with her older sister, she couldn't leave her niece in the lurch. To help Asa cope with her loss, Makio suggests that she start a diary.

Asa must learn to navigate her emotions and figure out her life's purpose. Meanwhile, her aunt must step out of her comfort zone and rediscover the importance of human connection.

1. 'Witch Hat Atelier', 2026-...

IMDb Score: 8.6/10

12-year-old Coco works as an apprentice to her seamstress mother and adores magic. Long ago, at a fair, a masked sorcerer sold her a book and a magic wand.

Unfortunately, the girl never got to use them because, according to popular belief, one is either born with the power of magic or not. One day, however, Coco witnesses Master Qifrey's magic and learns that sorcery is accessible to anyone with the right tools and ink.

Coco attempts to copy the mysterious symbols from the book she acquired earlier and unknowingly employs forbidden magic.