Winter 2026 is set to explode with sequels, finales, and fresh adaptations. ffrom Jujutsu Kaisen’s next arc to beloved franchise returns and exciting newcomers. Whether you’re deep into shounen battles, emotional epics, or stylish reboots, January’s slate has something epic in store.
Here’s your ultimate watchlist for the season’s hottest releases:
👊 Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game — Season 3
📅 Release Date: January 8th, 2026
🎬 Studio: MAPPA
📚 Genre: Shounen, Supernatural, Action
The Culling Game arc officially begins here. Massive stakes, new sorcery battles, and propulsive storytelling as Yuji and the crew dive deeper into the cursed world.
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll
© Gege Akutami/Shueisha, JUJUTSU KAISEN Project
🎤 Oshi no Ko — Season 3
📅 Release Date: January 14th, 2026
🎬 Studio: Doga Kobo
📚 Genre: Drama, Music, Mystery
Idol industry chaos continues with more intricate character drama, shocking turns, and industry-level satire.
©Aka Akasaka x Mengo Yokoyari/Shueisha,
“OSHI NO KO” Partners
🪄 Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End — Season 2
📅 Release Date: January 16th, 2026
🎬 Studio: Madhouse
📚 Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Adventure
The hauntingly beautiful journey of an elf reflecting on life and time expands with more poignant character beats and world-building.
© Yamada Kanehito, Abe Tsukasa / Shogakukan /
“Funeral of Frieren” Production Committee
🔥 Fire Force — Season 3 Part 2
📅 Release Date: January 10th, 2026
🎬 Studio: David Production
📚 Genre: Action, Supernatural, Sci-Fi
The flame-fueled firefighting soldiers return with explosive battles and deeper lore on pyrokinetic phenomena.
© Atsushi Okubo, Kodansha /
Special Fire Force Video Public Relations Division 3
⚔️ Hell’s Paradise — Season 2
📅 Release Date: January 11th
🎬 Studio: MAPPA
📚 Genre: Action, Historical, Dark Fantasy
More grotesque samurai action and philosophical brutality await as this cult fan favorite pushes further into its mythic horror.
© Yuji Kaku/Shueisha, Twin Engine, MAPPA
💥 My Hero Academia: Vigilantes — Season 2
📅 Release Date: January 5th
🎬 Studio: Bones
📚 Genre: Shounen, Superhero
This spin-off continues to explore vigilante hero culture and gritty moral dilemmas within the MHA universe
© Hideyuki Furuhashi, Arata Betsuki, Kohei Horikoshi /
Shueisha, Vigilante Production Committee
🏎️ MF Ghost — Season 3
📅 Release Date: January 4th
🎬 Studio: TBC
📚 Genre: Sports, Action, Racing
Fast cars, fierce rivals, and strategic street racing return for more high-octane thrills.
Ⓒ Shuichi Shigeno, Kodansha /
MF GHOST Production Committee
💫 Sentenced to Be a Hero
📅 Release Date: January 3rd
🎬 Studio: TBC
📚 Genre: Fantasy, Isekai, Adventure
A new spin on isekai tropes with self-aware humor and unconventional heroism.
🌵 Trigun Stargaze
📅 Release Date: January 10, 2026
🎬 Studio: TBC
📚 Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Cowboy
The Trigun universe returns with a fresh reboot/prequel vibe, blending classic gunfights with a modern visual flair.
© 2026 Yasuhiro Naito, Shonen Gahosha,
“TRIGUN STARGAZE” Production Committee
🎉 Meet the Anime Community IRL
Want to fangirl/fanboy IRL? Meet other anime lovers at Heroes Made in Asia, happening March 21 & 22, 2026 at Jaarbeurs Utrecht.
