The 2026 winter anime season is finally about to begin. Every year, the January season features many highly anticipated titles, but this year is especially packed with sequels to popular series. With titles like "Jujutsu Kaisen," "【Oshi no Ko】," "Fire Force," and "Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End," the lineup is sure to excite fans around the world. In this article, we will introduce in detail the new and returning anime that will heat up the Japanese winter, including seven works that are already trending on social media and generating high expectations.
*If you purchase or reserve products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
When Will the Winter 2026 Anime Season Start Airing? Where Can You Watch It?
A Big Season of New Series and Sequels
Winter 2026 is widely considered a strong anime season, with plenty of major titles including sequels to popular series and long-awaited adaptations. Many shows are scheduled to begin airing between early and mid-January.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
In Japan (Domestic)
Most titles will be broadcast on terrestrial TV channels and will also be available on multiple streaming services. The main streaming platforms include:
- Terrestrial and satellite TV: TV Tokyo, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, TBS, TOKYO MX, BS11
- Streaming: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, d Anime Store, U-NEXT, and more
Where to Watch Internationally? (Overseas)
Available services vary by country and region, but the following platforms mainly provide official global streaming.
Main official streaming services for overseas viewers
- Crunchyroll: One of the largest streaming ranges in the world, covering North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and more
- Netflix: The release schedule varies by country, but many popular anime are available
- Amazon Prime Video: Available globally, though some titles may be restricted depending on the country
- Ani-One Asia (YouTube): Offers some titles for free or with membership, mainly in Southeast Asia
- HIDIVE: A popular anime streaming service in North America
*Depending on the title, some shows may be region-locked or air later than in Japan.
Jujutsu Kaisen, 【Oshi no Ko】, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and Other Featured・Highly Anticipated Works
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: "Culling Game Arc Part 1"
Season 3, "Culling Game Arc Part 1," will begin airing on Thursday, January 8, 2026, with MAPPA continuing as the animation studio.
Overview: After the intense Shibuya Incident, the story enters a new phase. The grand "Culling Game" involving sorcerers begins. The main characters are thrown into a harsh battle for survival.
Highlights:
- Overwhelming action scenes and MAPPA’s high-quality animation
- A tense story with shocking developments
- Introduction of new characters
Voice cast: Junya Enoki (Yuji Itadori), Yuma Uchida (Megumi Fushiguro), Daisuke Namikawa (Choso), Megumi Ogata (Yuta Okkotsu), Koji Yusa (Naoya Zen’in), and more star-studded cast members.
👉Click here to purchase Jujutsu Kaisen merchandise [Animate]
【Oshi no Ko】 Season 3
The third season will begin airing on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and the story will unfold on a new stage.
Overview: A much-talked-about series depicting both the glamorous and dark sides of the entertainment industry. The idol group B-Komachi is on the verge of a breakthrough, and Aqua and Ruby each begin to walk their own paths. The story delves even deeper into the mystery behind the deaths of their mother Ai and Goro.
Highlights:
Realistic depiction of the entertainment industry's light and darkness
- A tense plot pursuing revenge and the truth
- Beautiful visual expression by Doga Kobo
- The ending theme song is "Serenade" by natori
Voice Cast: Takeo Otsuka (Aqua), Yurie Igoma (Ruby), Megumi Han (Kana Arima), Manaka Iwami (Akane Kurokawa)
👉Click here to purchase 【Oshi no Ko】 merchandise [Animate]
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
The second season will air every Friday at 11:00 p.m. starting January 16, 2026, on the nationwide Nippon TV network’s "FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT" across 30 stations.
Overview: Set in a world after the defeat of the Demon King, this is the new journey of Frieren, a mage who has lived for over a thousand years. Together with Fern and Stark, their journey to understand the human heart begins once again.
Highlights:
- Beautiful and delicate animation by MADHOUSE
- Deep, moving story and character development
- A grand fantasy world
Voice Cast: Atsumi Tanezaki (Frieren), Kana Ichinose (Fern), Chiaki Kobayashi (Stark), Nobuhiko Okamoto (Himmel), Hiroki Touchi (Heiter), Yoji Ueda (Eisen)
👉Click here to purchase Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End merchandise [Animate]
Fire Force Season 3 Part 2
Part 2 will begin airing every Friday at 1:53 a.m. starting January 9, 2026, on the "Animeism" programming block on MBS/TBS/CBC and other networks.
Overview: The final chapter of this scorching dark fantasy. All Special Fire Force companies unite for the last battle to prevent the Great Cataclysm. The fierce struggle of Shinra (the hero) and the firefighters to protect the world is depicted.
Highlights:
- Complete adaptation of the original manga through to its conclusion
- The mysteries of the world are finally revealed
- A story of passionate friendship and conviction
Voice Cast: Gakuto Kajiwara (Shinra Kusakabe), Yusuke Kobayashi (Arthur Boyle), Kazuya Nakai (Akitaru Obi), Kenichi Suzumura (Takehisa Hinawa), Saeko Kamijo (Maki Oze)
👉Click here to purchase Fire Force merchandise [Animate]
Golden Kamuy Final Chapter
The final chapter is scheduled to air from January 2026 on TOKYO MX and other networks.
Overview: This is a grand survival adventure set in Hokkaido at the end of the Meiji era, revolving around a hidden stash of gold. The Immortal Sugimoto and the Ainu girl Asirpa pursue the mystery of the concealed gold.
Highlights:
- A unique world that fuses history and fiction
- Careful depiction of Ainu culture
- A cast of richly individual characters
- Thrilling developments and an unpredictable story
Voice Cast: Chikahiro Kobayashi (Saichi Sugimoto), Haruka Shiraishi (Asirpa), Kentaro Ito (Yoshitake Shiraishi), Masaki Terasoma (Kiroranke), Mamiko Noto (Inkarmat)
👉Click here to purchase Golden Kamuy merchandise【Animate】
Hell’s Paradise Season 2
Scheduled to air from January 2026 on Wednesdays at 11:30 p.m. on TOKYO MX, ABC TV, and WOWOW.
Overview: This is a ninja romance battle anime that begins with the fateful encounter between the strongest ninja and an executioner. In search of the Elixir of Immortality, condemned criminals set out for a mysterious island. The original manga by Yuji Kaku is a popular series with over 6.5 million copies sold.
Highlights:
- Produced by MAPPA, delivering outstanding quality
- Thrilling battle scenes
- Deep human drama among the characters
- A beautiful yet brutal fantasy world
Voice Cast: Chiaki Kobayashi (Gabimaru), Yumiri Hanamori (Yamada Asaemon Sagiri), Ryohei Kimura (Aza Chobe), Kensho Ono (Yamada Asaemon Toma)
👉Click here to purchase Hell’s Paradise merchandise【Animate】
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk
Scheduled to air from January 2026 on TBS networks.
Overview: Based on a shoujo manga, this is a school romance story that delicately portrays youth and first love. The feelings of two students, both called “Prince,” are depicted with care, creating a quietly moving work.
Highlights:
- A realistic coming-of-age drama that explores appearance and gender identity
- Subtle romantic development as the two main characters gradually grow closer
- The atmosphere of high school life depicted with beautiful, soft animation
Voice Cast: Rei Ichinomiya (Yoi Takiguchi), Ryota Suzuki (Kohaku Ichimura), Aya Yamane (Nobara Tone), Momoko Seto (Kotobuki Hibiya)
👉Click here to purchase In the Clear Moonlit Dusk merchandise【Animate】
List of Winter 2026 Anime
| Title | Broadcast Start Date | Genre | Type |
| The Blue Wolves of Mibu: Serizawa Assassination Arc | December 20, 2025 | Period Drama / Historical | Sequel |
| Akuma Kun | January 9, 2026 | Supernatural / Detective | First Terrestrial Broadcast |
| The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom | January 2026 | Isekai Fantasy / Romance | New Series |
| Ren Arisugawa Is Actually a Girl | January 4, 2026 | School / Romantic Comedy | New Series |
| The Case Book of Arne | January 6, 2026 | Mystery | New Series |
| Undead Unluck Winter Arc | December 25, 2025 | Battle / Fantasy | Sequel |
| Does It Count If You Lose Your Virginity to an Android? | January 2026 | Sci-Fi / Romantic Comedy | New Series |
| Ikoku Nikki: Journal with Witch | January 2026 | Human Drama | New Series |
| The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter | January 6, 2026 | Isekai | New Series |
| Ichigo Aika: Strawberry Elegy | January 2026 | Music / Youth | New Series |
| In the Clear Moonlit Dusk | January 2026 | School / Romance | New Series |
| MF Ghost 3rd Season | January 4, 2026 | Car Racing | Sequel |
| The Holy Grail of Eris | January 8, 2026 | Fantasy | New Series |
| Fire Force Season 3, Cour 2 | January 9, 2026 | Dark Fantasy / Battle | Sequel |
| Easygoing Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord | January 2026 | Isekai Fantasy | New Series |
| You Can't Be in a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends! | January 2026 | Romantic Comedy | New Series |
| 【Oshi no Ko】Season 3 | January 14, 2026 | Showbiz Suspense | Sequel |
| A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation | January 2026 | Isekai Fantasy | New Series |
| Roll Over and Die: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword! | January 2026 | Isekai Fantasy | New Series |
| You Don’t Know Gunma Yet: Reiwa Edition | January 2026 | Comedy | New Series |
| Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez: Phantom Star Battle Arc | January 2026 | Card Game | Sequel |
| Kanagawa ni Sunderu Elf | December 4, 2025 | Modern Fantasy | New Series |
| Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary | January 11, 2026 | Horror Action | New Series |
| GARO: The Eastern Realm Tower | January 2026 | Action | New Series |
| Noble Reincarnation: Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power | January 2026 | Isekai Fantasy | New Series |
| Wash It All Away | January 2026 | Slice of Life | New Series |
| Goumon Baito-kun no Nichijo | January 4, 2026 | Comedy | New Series |
| Golden Kamuy Final Chapter | January 2026 | Adventure / Historical | Final Chapter |
| Sai Oshi no Gikei o Mederu Tame, Nagaiki Shimasu! | January 2026 | Isekai Reincarnation | New Series |
| Link Click: Bridon Arc | February 2026 | Time Leap Sci-Fi | Sequel |
| Hell’s Paradise Season 2 | January 2026 | Ninja × Dark Fantasy | Sequel |
| Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table | January 2026 | Fantasy / Battle | New Series |
| Champignon no Majo | January 2026 | Fantasy | New Series |
| Record of Ragnarok III | December 10, 2025 | Mythological Battle Fantasy | Sequel |
| JUJUTSU KAISEN: Culling Game Part 1 | January 2026 | Dark Fantasy / Battle | Sequel |
| A Misanthrope Teaches a Class for Demi-Humans | January 2026 | School Human Drama | New Series |
| You and I Are Polar Opposites | January 11, 2026 | School Romantic Comedy | New Series |
| Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 | January 16, 2026 | Fantasy / Adventure | Sequel |
| The Darwin Incident | January 2026 | Sci-Fi / Human Drama | New Series |
| Tamon's B-Side | January 2026 | Oshi-Activity Romantic Comedy | New Series |
| Dead Account | January 2026 | Modern Exorcism Battle Action | New Series |
| Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling | January 2026 | Isekai Reincarnation | New Series |
| Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You Season 2 | January 2026 | Romantic Comedy | Sequel |
| The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife | January 2026 | Comedy | Sequel |
| TRIGUN STARGAZE | January 2026 | Sci-Fi Western | New Series |
| The Daily Life of a Single 29-Year-Old Adventurer | January 2026 | Adventure Fantasy | New Series |
| High School! Kimengumi | January 2026 | School Comedy | New Series |
| For You in Full Blossom(Hana-kimi) | January 2026 | School Comedy | New Series |
| My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Season 2 | January 2026 | Action | Sequel |
| Hikuidori: Ushiboro Tobigumi | January 2026 | Adventure / Action | New Series |
| 'Tis Time for "Torture," Princess | January 2026 | Gag | Sequel |
| Fate/strange Fake | January 2026 | Fantasy / Battle | New Series |
| Love Through a Prism | January 2026 | Youth Ensemble Drama | New Series |
| Hell Mode: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing | January 2026 | Isekai Reincarnation | New Series |
| Fist of the North Star: Elegy of the King’s Army’s Grunts | January 2026 | Fantasy | Sequel |
| Hoppe-chan: The Secret of the Sun Kingdom and the Black Hoppe Gang | January 2026 | Fantasy / Comedy | New Series |
| The Demon King's Daughter Is Too Kind!! (Maō no Musume wa Yasashi Sugiru!!) | January 2026 | Fantasy Comedy | New Series |
| Kunon the Sorcerer Can See | January 2026 | Isekai Fantasy | New Series |
| Mato Seihei no Slave 2 (Chained Soldie Season 2) | January 2026 | Action, Harem, Fantasy | Sequel |
| Tune In to the Midnight Heart | January 2026 | Romantic Comedy | New |
| Medalist Season 2 | January 2026 | Sports (Figure Skating) | Sequel |
| Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004 | January 2026 | Dark Fantasy | Sequel |
| Scum of the Brave | January 2026 | Modern Action | New |
| There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero's Party, So I Tried Confessing to Her | January 2026 | Romantic Comedy | New |
| The Jack of All Trades Was Kicked Out of the Hero's Party | January 2026 | Fantasy | New |
| Ronin Warriors | January 2026 | Hero, Action, Battle | New |
＜References＞
2026 Winter Anime Summary List｜January Broadcast Start Upcoming New Anime & Rerun Anime Information ( https://www.animatetimes.com/tag/details.php?id=6212#28)
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