Steve
Key Insights
- Anime Popularity: The genre saw a significant resurgence in 2025 with major box office hits.
- Upcoming Releases: Anticipated anime films for 2026 include titles like Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise.
- Industry Impact: The success of anime films is reshaping industry perceptions and strategies.
- Spotlight on Animation: Efforts are being made to highlight anime and animation more prominently in media.
It’s a given that anime has been vastly popular in many parts of the world for decades. Still, in 2025, the genre made a significant splash at the box office, thanks to films like Ne Zha 2, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, and more. The return on investment for each caused industry analysts to take anime more seriously at a time when perceived blockbusters sometimes fail, sending studios and filmmakers into a tailspin. While trying to read the Hollywood tea leaves often feels like a fruitless endeavor, it’s become imperative not to underestimate the power of anime, which is something I’ve been saying for all my 15 years at JoBlo.
Thankfully, we’re making an effort to give anime (and animation in general) a brighter spotlight in the new year, from our Top 5 Animated Films of the Year video series to articles like this one, where we highlight 2026 anime releases we’re looking forward to. Let’s kick off the new year by bringing some of our most anticipated anime features to the stage, shall we?
Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise
Who doesn’t love a Japanese animated comedy with a splash of horror? When Takafumi Ushida and Takeru Satō join forces behind the camera, with chief direction by Kōnosuke Uda, you know you’re in for a wild ride. Combine that talent with the production team at MAPPA, the same studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution and Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, and there’s no telling how extreme things will get.
Zombie Land Saga is a mix of militaristic magical girl anime with KPop Demon Hunter idol glitz and glam, Voltron vibes, and off-the-wall action that gets your blood pumping into overdrive. The visual presentation never ceases to embrace all the colors of the rainbow, while the soundtrack keeps you locked onto the explosive drama from beginning to end.
Here’s the official synopsis for Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise:
Zombies × Idols × Saga — Seriously!? What kind of madness will this outrageous, expectation-defying anime unleash on the big screen!? Legendary girls return as zombies to fight as Saga’s local idols in the groundbreaking zombie-idol anime, “ZOMBIE LAND SAGA.” With outrageous zombie antics, unexpectedly moving moments, and music that transcends the idol genre, the series became an instant sensation, spanning its production over two TV anime seasons. And now, their stage expands to the movie theater – everything is packed into this ultimate entertainment experience! The unprecedented Galaxy Festival Movie begins now!
Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise opens in theaters on January 19.
Whoever Steals This Book
There’s nothing quite like anime with a touch of whimsy. Based on a fantasy mystery novel by Nowaki Fukamidori, Whoever Steals This Book is a stunning escape into an unpredictable world of imagination, story, and wonder. With similar vibes to Yoshiyuki Momose’s The Imaginary, the upcoming epic from director Daisei Fukuoka could become one of the year’s breakout anime hits. The film promises adventure through enigmatic worlds, curious characters, and non-stop action and wonder that are guaranteed to dazzle your senses.
Here’s a synopsis for Whoever Steals This Book, courtesy of AnimeNewsNetwork:
Mifuyu is a high school student living with a large collection of books left by her great-grandfather—the vast library known as Mikura Hall. Although her father is the current caretaker, Mifuyu herself doesn’t share her family’s passion for literature. But when several books are stolen from the library triggering an ancient curse, the town is transformed according to various stories—and the only way to put things right is for Mifuyu to catch the thief. With help from a mysterious girl named Mashiro, Mifuyu sets out on an adventure through different story worlds.
An official North American release date for Whoever Steals This Book is not yet known.
ChaO
In addition to taking us on grand adventures through impossible worlds, anime can also teach us valuable lessons about society and relationships. Later this year director Yasuhiro Aoki’s ChaO, based on a screenplay by Saku Konohana could bridge gaps for North American audiences when it arrives in theaters. ChaO is extraordinarily colorful and imaginative in all ways that make anime unique compared to most blockbuster animations from Disney and similar studios.
Here’s a synopsis for ChaO, courtesy of AnimeNewsNetwork:
In a near-future world where humans and mermen coexist Stephen—a shipping engineer in Shanghai—develops a propeller called Air Jet that is harmless to marine life promoting peace between both races. When Chao—a mermaid princess—pushes Stephen to marry her their two worlds collide as they struggle with cultural differences; a tragic accident creates bigger strain on their relationship.
An official North American release date for ChaO is currently unknown.
All You Need Is Kill
I had the pleasure of watching All You Need Is Kill. Ken’ichirô Akimoto and Yukinori Nakamura’s animated adaptation of Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s original story is incredible; Sakurazaka’s action-packed tale of survival delights at every turn. You can read my full review here, but suffice it to say that All You Need Is Kill is stunning with an emotional core that cuts deep into what it feels like when everything rests squarely upon your shoulders. This animated film will cause your senses to explode as you experience Rita’s every loss while basking in her every small victory.
Here’s a synopsis for All You Need Is Kill, courtesy of AnimeNewsNetwork:
After an unidentified plant from outer space invasion Rita finds herself trapped in a time loop forced to relive the same day over and over again. With each loop she learns; she fights as her memories sharpen her skills turning her into a formidable warrior. Yet this endless cycle begins wearing her down until she meets Keiji who says “I’ve been repeating this day too.” Two lost souls trapped in endless war.
All You Need Is Kill arrives in North American theaterson January16 ,2026 courtesy of GKIDS.
Scarlet
By far our most anticipated anime film of
Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet is February six , twenty twenty six for an exclusive IMAX run followed by wider theatrical release with dubbed and subtitled versions on February thirteen twenty twenty six after prior late twenty twenty five Japanese release.
The North American release date forMamoru Hosoda’s anime film Scarlet is February six , twenty twenty six for an exclusive IMAX run followed by wider theatrical release with dubbed and subtitled versions on February thirteen twenty twenty six after prior late twenty twenty five Japanese release.
This is only tip iceberg what anime has offer in two thousand twenty six there still plenty announcements TV series films surprises waiting shadows ready pounce whenever think coast clear We’ll keep eye out more exciting developments but meantime let us know what anime you’re looking forward new year comments section below.
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