2026 has just started, and there are already a couple of amazing anime series that could be considered serious contenders for anime of the year.
2025 had one of the most stacked lineups in a long time, and it looks like 2026 isn’t much different. From top-tier shōnen franchises to old series finally making long-awaited returns, to some of the most interesting premises in the medium, anime in 2026 has been great.
It’s still early in the year, and there will be a lot more amazing anime to come as the year progresses, but there are a select few franchises that are already asserting themselves as potential picks for 2026’s anime of the year.
Fire Force
To call Fire Force’s third season weird would be a massive understatement. It’s one of the strangest anime in recent years, and in an art form filled with some of the weirdest ideas around, that’s saying something.
Fire Force looks like it’s finally ending, and it’s going out with a bang. The art style is solid, the sound design is probably the best in anime, and the narrative is downright loony. While Fire Force might not have what it takes to win anime of the year, it’s certainly making a strong claim for itself.
Journal with Witch
Journal with Witch is an emotionally mature series that tackles some of the heaviest topics not just in anime, but in life in general. While most anime series shy away from heavy topics, Journal with Witch dives right into them.
Journal with Witch is a refreshing, philosophical, ambitious series that shines light on some of the darkest topics in society. Makio Koudai learns about her older sister’s death, and when she realizes her niece will become an orphan, she takes her in. The series focuses on their new, odd relationship and the emotional development the two share with one another.
Golden Kamuy
Golden Kamuy’s final season is here, and it’s sending the series out in style. Asirpa and Sugimoto have never been closer to the Ainu treasure, and unfortunately for them, they’re not the only ones closing in on the gold.
Golden Kamuy has been a cult classic since its inception, and the final season is no exception. It’s an adventurous, bold, somewhat historical anime that is finally coming to an end, and it’s making a name for itself as a top contender in the race for 2026’s anime of the year.
One Piece
One Piece hasn’t even aired in 2026, and yet, there’s not a soul who would doubt that it won’t be considered for anime of the year. One Piece is one of the longest-running anime franchises of all time, and it looks like Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece is finally coming to an end.
Almost every arc in One Piece is solid, and the upcoming Elbaph Arc might be one of the best yet. It’s taking the already monumental series to a whole new level, with Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates finally heading to the home of the Giants. It’s going to be groundbreaking when it finally comes out, and it could easily become 2026’s best anime.
Oshi no Ko
Oshi no Ko cemented itself as an all-time great when it debuted with one of the best first episodes in anime. Oshi no Ko’s premiere was gripping, and somehow, the series only got better from there. On the surface,Oshi no Ko is about the world of idols, but at its core, it’s so much more.
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Oshi no Ko is obsessive, endearing, and somewhat creepy all at once. It’s one of the best, most complex, most ambitious anime series in years. While the first two seasons are magnificent, the third might be the franchise’s best yet. If the series’ current trajectory continues, the next season might be one of the best ever made.
You and I Are Polar Opposites
You and I Are Polar Opposites is the standout romance anime of 2026. It’s massively underrated, which is such a disappointment as this series doesn’t let up. It’s amazing from the first episode and stars some of the sweetest characters.
This series is about two people who couldn’t be more different from each other. Despite their differences or maybe because of them they fall in love creating an adorable couple everyone wants to root for.
Hell’s Paradise
Hell’s Paradise‘s first season was solid when it debuted but this second season surpasses it by far taking everything good about it further creating an amazing shōnen series with exponential growth potential.
The action sequences are easily its crown jewel getting better each time new daunting characters are introduced while expanding upon old ones making this world more intimidating than ever before.
Sentenced to Be a Hero
The art style is gritty dark metal like few others before it matching Berserk’s masterful bleakness quite well.
This series has a simple premise that gets better over time being an action-packed thrill ride from start to finish but there’s something different about it that elevates it potentially to award-winning levels by its conclusion.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
If there’s any list ranking best anime each year Frieren will always rank near top spots consistently being among few shows universally regarded as all-time greats.
This masterpiece showcases slower aspects of life than most while excelling at storytelling sparking debates over which season reigns superior without denying its overall excellence throughout franchise history.
Jujutsu Kaisen
This franchise has always maintained high quality standards across seasons showcasing jaw-dropping visuals paired with thrilling fight scenes elevating expectations beyond imagination during its third installment proving itself monstrous good!
The Culling Games arc represents peak moments delivering breathtaking sequences worth pausing just to appreciate artistry displayed throughout making Jujutsu Kaisen stand out among peers!
