Most Anticipated Anime Arrivals in January 2026

January 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest anime months in recent memory, with returning heavy-hitters and long-awaited adaptations converging in the same window. Sequels pick up major arcs right where they left off, while new shows finally step into the spotlight after years of teasers, delays, and prologues. If you’ve been following trailers and event announcements, you know we’re in for a dense slate of premieres, split-cours returns, and stacked casts.

Below, we’re counting down from 10 to 1—following the exact order you provided—to spotlight what each title covers next and who’s making it happen behind the scenes. Dates and staff details come from official announcements and trusted outlets so you can plan your watchlist with confidence.

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023– )

Nippon TV has slated the second season of ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ to begin on January 16, 2026, continuing Frieren, Fern, and Stark’s trek through the far north and toward Aureole, the “heavenly” destination tied to Frieren’s promise to the late hero Himmel. The new season follows on from the manga’s Continued Northern Travels and related arcs, picking up after the party’s exam saga and returning to the series’ blend of quiet travel, monster encounters, and long-view character history.

Season 2 brings a director change at studio MADHOUSE: Tomoya Kitagawa steps up as director with Daiki Harashina as assistant director and Keiichirō Saitō in a supervisory role; Tomohiro Suzuki continues series composition. Returning cast includes Atsumi Tanezaki (Frieren), Kana Ichinose (Fern), and Chiaki Kobayashi (Stark).

‘Hell’s Paradise’ (2023– )

Season 2 of ‘Hell’s Paradise’ launches in January 2026, continuing Gabimaru and Sagiri’s struggle amid the island’s monstrous ecology and rival Asaemon factions. The latest trailer highlights the next phase of the story beyond the first season’s elixir hunt, teasing new island threats and the fallout among executioners as the competing agendas intensify.

MAPPA returns with Kaori Makita directing, Akira Kindaichi on series composition, and Yoshiaki Dewa on music; new additions include photography director Chika Toda and art director Junichi Higashi. The cast grows with Ryota Suzuki (Shugen), Kōji Yusa (Jikka), and Maaya Uchida (Kiyomaru) joining Chiaki Kobayashi (Gabimaru) and Yumiri Hanamori (Sagiri).

‘Chained Soldier’ (2024– )

‘Chained Soldier’ returns in January 2026 to continue the Mato conflict, where rifts spawn “Shuuki” and “Peach” power grants women supernatural abilities. Season 2 advances the Anti-Demon Corps’ campaign as Yuuki Wakura—who transforms under Commander Kyouka Uzen’s enslavement technique—works with the elite commanders against escalating Shuuki threats and rival factions.

The sequel switches studios to Passione with Hayabusa Film, directed by Masafumi Tamura, with Keiya Nakano as character designer; the first season’s Seven Arcs staff handled the 2024 run. Cast from season 1 includes Yūya Hirose (Yuuki) and Akari Kitō (Kyouka), with the series continuing under original creators Takahiro and Yōhei Takemura.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020– )

MAPPA’s next installment adapts Gege Akutami’s Culling Game arc beginning January 2026, following the Shibuya Incident with Yuji and Megumi entering the deadly contest to rescue Tsumiki, free Gojo, and confront new antagonists in rival colonies. A new trailer previews key clashes and confirms the winter 2026 broadcast.

Shōta Goshozono returns to direct with series composition by Hiroshi Seko. Confirmed cast includes Junya Enoki (Yuji Itadori), Yūma Uchida (Megumi Fushiguro), and Megumi Ogata (Yuta Okkotsu), among others introduced in the PVs and event reveals. A theatrical compilation—’Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution’—screens in November/December 2025 as a lead-in to the TV premiere.

‘Oshi no Ko’ (2023– )

‘’Oshi no Ko’ Season 3’ is set for January 2026 and continues the entertainment-industry saga with arcs that move from variety-show exposure into deeper investigations and industry fallout for Aqua and Ruby. Official updates have pointed to the “Mainstay” and “Scandal” material as the next focus, tracking career shifts and the next steps in Aqua’s search for the truth.

Doga Kobo remains the studio, with Daisuke Hiramaki directing, Jin Tanaka on series composition, and Kanna Hirayama on character designs. New cast additions include Yūto Takenaka (Shun Yoshizumi) and Yōji Ueda (Tetsu Urushibara); returning leads include Takeo Ōtsuka (Aqua) alongside the ensemble from prior seasons.

‘To Your Eternity’ (2021– )

Season 3 continues Fushi’s journey centuries later in a modern setting, where revived companions, new allies, and the Nokkers’ evolving aims complicate humanity’s future. Trailers preview contemporary locales, new characters, and story turns as Fushi navigates technology and shifting philosophies in the series’ next era.

Sōta Yokote directs with Season 2’s Kiyoko Sayama as chief director; returning staff include Shinzō Fujita (series composition), Kōji Yabuno (character design), and Ryō Kawasaki (music). Recent promos also confirmed additional characters and performers ahead of the cour that rolls into winter 2026.

‘Fire Force’ (2019– )

‘Fire Force’ Season 3 resumes with Part 2 in January 2026, continuing Company 8’s push against the White-Clad and Evangelist factions and moving through late-manga material following Part 1’s April–June 2025 run. Current coverage points to arcs spanning Obi’s fate and the road toward the series’ endgame.

David Production returns with Tatsuma Minamikawa directing the final season; Part 2 maintains the split-cour structure for a winter return. The core cast features Gakuto Kajiwara (Shinra), Yūsuke Kobayashi (Arthur), Kazuya Nakai (Ōbi), Mao Ichimichi (Iris), Kenichi Suzumura (Hinawa), Aoi Yūki (Tamaki), and more.

‘Fate/strange Fake’ (2026– )

Set in Snowfield, USA, ‘Fate/strange Fake’ twists the Holy Grail War into “True” and “False” factions, summoning familiar legends in unfamiliar alignments following the 2023 ‘Whispers of Dawn’ prologue. After a long wait, the series proper begins its broadcast on January 3, 2026.

A-1 Pictures produces with Shun Enokido and Takahito Sakazume directing, Daisuke Ōhigashi on series composition, Hiroyuki Sawano on music, and Yūkei Yamada on character designs. The cast includes Kana Hanazawa (Ayaka Sajyou), Yūki Ono (Saber), Tomokazu Seki (Archer), Sumire Morohoshi (Tiné Chelc), Aoi Koga (Tsubaki), and more; Crunchyroll is listed as the licensee.

‘Sentenced to Be a Hero’ (2026– )

This dark-fantasy adaptation of Rocket Shōkai and Mephisto’s series frames “heroism” as punishment: convicts are conscripted into Penal Hero Unit 9004 to fight the Demon King’s army, revive upon death, and return to the front. Recent trailers underscore its grim military system and the contract between the unit’s leader—convicted of killing a goddess—and a new goddess that could upend the order.

Studio KAI leads the TV series with director Hiroyuki Takashima and series composition by Kenta Ihara; music is by Shunsuke Takizawa. Cast updates have named Yōhei Azakami (Xylo Forbartz) and Mayu Iizuka (Teoritta), with further additions including Yōji Ueda (Norgalle Senridge), Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Tatsuya), and Jun Fukushima (Tsav); the show was delayed from October 2025 to January 2026.

‘Yūsha Party o Oidasareta Kiyōbinbō’ (2026– )

Based on Miyako Shinju’s fantasy novels (also known by the Japanese title ‘Yūsha Party o Oidasareta Kiyōbinbō’), this series follows Orun, a versatile adventurer expelled from the Hero’s Party for being a “jack of all trades,” who rebuilds his path as an independent explorer. Official reports confirm a January 2026 broadcast window, with additional details to be shared around autumn event updates.

The first cast reveal in Japanese media named Takeo Ōtsuka as Orun Dula, Hina Tachibana as Sofia Claudel, and Saori Ōnishi as Selma Claudel; more staff information is expected to follow. Until then, the adaptation draws from the light novels’ premise about a discarded all-rounder leveraging hard-earned skills outside the party system to protect the people he meets.

Share your own January 2026 picks—and the one you’ll start first—in the comments!