Top 10 Most Anticipated Upcoming Anime
Japanese animation continues to evolve, and with each season comes releases that promise to make a lasting impression. Here's a list of the ten most anticipated anime for the fall 2025 / winter 2026 season—from highly anticipated sequels to ambitious adaptations and 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 manga's darkest and most strategic arcs. 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 movie (Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution – Shibuya Incident x The Culling Game Begins) will be released in November 2025 in Japan.
⭐ What we hope: 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 arcs, and likely more touching moments between Anya, Loid, and Yor.
🗓️ Date / info: Premiere announced on October 4, 2025.
⭐ What we hope for: New subplots, possibly revisits of the biological parents' flashbacks, and that the pacing stays good, without unnecessary filler.
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3. Digimon Beatbreak
➡️ Why we're waiting for it: Digimon returns with a revamped concept, and Beatbreak seems to be aiming to blend nostalgia and modernity. Longtime fans are curious to see how the franchise evolves in this new version.
🗓️ Date / info: Broadcast scheduled from October 5, 2025 on Fuji TV, simulcast on Hulu (USA).
⭐ What we hope for: Contemporary 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: That the ending does justice to the previous arcs, that the major confrontations are visually and dramatically up to par, and that there are no plot shortcuts.
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 waiting for 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: it's all part of the package that many are waiting to see again.
🗓️ Date / info: Planned for fall 2025.
⭐ What we hope for: Robust animation, deeper opponents, and a Saitama who continues to surprise despite his “all-powerful” nature.
6. Inherit the Winds
➡️ Why we're looking forward to it: Original project announced by Aniplex, mixing historical period + drama with a visual style that looks promising. Original anime are always interesting because they don't depend on an existing manga or light novel, which allows more creative freedom.
🗓️ Date / info: Announced for 2026, but already on the radar.
⭐ What we hope for : A good immersion in the era covered, nuanced characters, and bold design / artistic 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 mixing action, futuristic intrigue, and expected visuals.
🗓️ Date / Info: Starts April 5, 2025 (but for those who missed it or want to rewatch), and its impact continues in discussions around anime trends in terms of dark and realistic tone.
⭐ What we hope: That the story deals with its themes in a mature way, that the sound/visual ambiance fits 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 a hit, so the sequel is eagerly awaited to see how the stakes rise: the kaijus, the fights, but also the personal dilemmas.
🗓️ Date / info: Kaiju No. 8 season 2 is scheduled for summer 2025 (but the effects, announcements, feedback suggest that it will have even more influence later).
⭐ What we hope for: Top-notch visuals, powerful new enemies, and 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: Adapted from a very popular manga, it mixes comedy, action, and gags. The first part set the bar high, which raises concerns that the sequel will keep up the pace.
🗓️ Date / Info: Sakamoto Days Part 2 scheduled for summer / mid-2025 according to anime schedules.
⭐ What we hope: That the humor stays fresh, that the fights are clearly choreographed, and that the supporting characters get 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 foundations, and the sequel is eagerly awaited to deepen the lore, develop the antagonists, and ramp up the visual appeal.
🗓️ 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 run out of steam.
flashbacks of the biological parents, and that the pace remains good, without unnecessary filler.
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🌟 Bonus / projects to watch closely
Fire Force Season 3 (Part 2) — for those who like fighting anime + supernatural elements.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 — the contemplative style + melancholy are increasingly appealing.
What makes these anime particularly anticipated?
Some criteria that come up systematically and which explain why certain titles generate enormous buzz:
Success of the original material – manga, light novel or already popular web novel.
Expected quality from prestigious animation/studio – studios like MAPPA, Wit, etc.
Trailers / strong announcements: trailer, music, visuals can upset expectations.
Pivotal story arcs: when the sequel must address cliffhangers or long-standing mysteries.
International presence – layoffs, streaming availability, promotion outside Japan: all this increases expectations.
Tips for making the most of these outings
- Check the seasonal calendar (sempai schedule) of platforms like Crunchyroll Seasonal Lineup to always know what's coming up.
- Follow the official channels/trailers to get the best information (dates, double episodes, pre-release movies).
- Read the manga/light novel if you want to avoid spoilers, but be careful: adaptation ≠ exact copy.
- Join 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: 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's 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 surprises come from the titles you least expect).
While you wait for these animes to be released, why not show off your love of Japanese culture in your clothing style? On 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 bound to be a model that suits you.