Top 10 Most Anticipated Upcoming Anime
Japanese animation is constantly evolving, and each season brings releases that promise to leave a lasting impression. Here's a list of the ten most anticipated anime for the Fall 2025 / Winter 2026 period—from highly anticipated sequels and ambitious adaptations to original projects. Get your streaming subscriptions, snacks, and schedule ready: it's going to be busy.
1. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 – The Culling Game
➡️ Why we're looking forward to it: After the intense Shibuya Incident arc, many fans are eager to see how Jujutsu Kaisen will adapt the Culling Game, one of the darkest and most strategic arcs in the manga. The new trailer promises more intense fights, moral dilemmas, and character development that transcends pure action.
🗓️ Date / info: Season 3 is confirmed for January 2026. Before that, a compilation film (Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution – Shibuya Incident x The Culling Game Begins) will be released in November 2025 in Japan.
⭐ What we hope for: That the animation remains at the exceptional level of previous seasons, that the tension scenes are faithful to the manga, and that the new characters play a strong role.
2. Spy × Family Season 3
➡️ Why we're looking forward to it: The perfect balance of comedy, espionage, and family drama — Spy × Family has won over a wide audience thanks to its tone and endearing characters. Season 3 promises revelations, new storylines, and probably more touching moments between Anya, Loid, and Yor.
🗓️ Date / info: Premiere announced for October 4, 2025.
⭐ What we hope for: New subplots, possibly revisits of flashbacks of the biological parents, and that the pacing remains good, without unnecessary filler.
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3. Digimon Beatbreak
➡️ Why we're looking forward to it: Digimon returns with a revamped concept, and Beatbreak seems to be aiming to blend nostalgia with modern elements. Longtime fans are eager to see how the franchise evolves in this new iteration.
🗓️ Date / info: Scheduled to begin airing on October 5, 2025 on Fuji TV, simulcast on Hulu (USA).
⭐ What we hope for: Modern designs that respect the “Digimon” identity, good soundtrack choices, and a plot that doesn't rely solely on nostalgia.
4. My Hero Academia Final Season
➡️ Why we're waiting for it: After years of constant evolution, My Hero Academia is nearing its conclusion. The story of young Deku, his friends, his enemies, and the world of heroes will finally reach some highly anticipated climaxes.
🗓️ Date / info: Part of the season announced for Fall 2025 via Crunchyroll's seasonal line-up.
⭐ What we hope for: That the ending does justice to the previous arcs, that the major confrontations are visually and dramatically up to par, and that the script shortcuts are avoided.
flashbacks of the biological parents, and that the pace remains good, without unnecessary filler.
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5. One Punch Man Season 3
➡️ Why we're looking forward to it: Even though expectations are high (and previous seasons have sometimes been criticized), One Punch Man remains an IP that attracts a lot of attention. The humor, the action, the absurd or hyper-developed concepts: all of this is part of the package that many are eager to see return.
🗓️ Date / info: Planned for autumn 2025.
⭐ What we hope for: Robust animation, deeper adversaries, and a Saitama who continues to surprise despite his “omnipotence”.
6. Inherit the Winds
➡️ Why we're looking forward to it: An original project announced by Aniplex, blending historical period drama with a promising visual style. Original anime are always interesting because they aren't based on an existing manga or light novel, allowing for greater creative freedom.
🗓️ Date / info: Announced for 2026, but already on the radar.
⭐ What we hope for : A good immersion in the period covered, nuanced characters, and a bold design / art direction.
flashbacks of the biological parents, and that the pace remains good, without unnecessary filler.
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7. Lazarus
➡️ Why we're waiting for it: Director Shinichirō Watanabe (known for Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo) is back with Lazarus , a project blending action, futuristic intrigue, and highly anticipated visuals.
🗓️ Date / info: Starts on April 5, 2025 (but for those who missed it or want to rewatch it), and its impact continues in discussions around anime trends in terms of dark and realistic tone.
⭐ What we hope for: That the story deals with its themes in a mature way, that the sound/visual atmosphere matches Watanabe's style, and that it brings something new.
8. Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
➡️ Why we're waiting for it: The manga was a huge success, the first anime was well-received, so the sequel is eagerly awaited to see how the stakes rise: the kaiju, the battles, but also the personal dilemmas.
🗓️ Date / info: Kaiju No. 8 season 2 is scheduled for summer 2025 (but the effects, announcements, and feedback suggest that it will still have an influence beyond that).
⭐ What we hope for: Visual effects that live up to expectations, powerful new enemies, writing that doesn't sacrifice character development for action.
flashbacks of the biological parents, and that the pace remains good, without unnecessary filler.
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9. Sakamoto Days Part 2
➡️ Why we're looking forward to it: An adaptation of a very popular manga, blending comedy, action, and gags. The first part set the bar high, which makes us fear the sequel will maintain the pace.
🗓️ Date / info: Sakamoto Days Part 2 is scheduled for summer / mid-2025 according to anime calendars.
⭐ What we hope for: That the humor retains its freshness, that the fights are clear in their choreography, and that the secondary characters have screen time to shine.
10. Solo Leveling Season 2
➡️ Why we're waiting for it: A true web phenomenon, Solo Leveling has won over a huge audience. The first season laid the groundwork; the sequel is eagerly awaited to delve deeper into the lore, develop the antagonists, and enhance the visuals.
🗓️ Date / info: Season 2 release announced for early January 2025.
⭐ What we hope for: Epic boss scenes, animation that lives up to expectations, and a plot that doesn't lose steam.
flashbacks of the biological parents, and that the pace remains good, without unnecessary filler.
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🌟 Bonus / projects to keep a close eye on
Fire Force Season 3 (Part 2) — for those who like fighting anime + supernatural elements.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 — the contemplative style + the melancholy are attracting more and more.
What makes these anime particularly anticipated?
Some recurring criteria explain why certain titles generate such a huge buzz:
Success of the original material – manga, light novel or web novel already popular.
Expected quality of animation / prestigious studio – studios like MAPPA, Wit, etc.
Powerful trailers/announcements: trailers, music, visuals can upset expectations.
Pivotal narrative arcs: when the sequel has to answer cliffhangers or mysteries that have been posed for a long time.
International presence – layoffs, streaming availability, promotion outside Japan: all of this increases expectations.
Tips for making the most of these outings
- Check the seasonal schedule (sempai schedule) of platforms like Crunchyroll Seasonal Lineup to always know what's coming.
- Follow the official channels / trailers to get the best info (dates, double episodes, pre-release movies).
- Read the manga/light novel if you want to avoid spoilers, but be careful: adaptation ≠ exact copy.
- Joining communities (forums, Reddit, Discord) to share expectations, impressions, which increases the stress of waiting (and the fun).
Conclusion
We're entering an exciting period for anime: highly anticipated sequels to major franchises will coexist with original projects, offering a rich array of styles, genres, and tones. Whether you're a fan of action, romance, psychological drama, or dystopian science fiction, there will be something for everyone.
If I had to bet, Jujutsu Kaisen season 3, Spy × Family season 3, and Inherit the Winds could be among the biggest hits — but anything can happen (and often, the surprise comes from the titles we least expected).
While you wait for these anime releases, why not show your love for Japanese culture through your clothing? At Irosuki, you'll find a selection of manga t-shirts inspired by your favorite series, with unique and high-quality designs. Whether you're a fan of shōnen, seinen, or magical girls, there's sure to be a style that's perfect for you.
