Gege Akutami’s Anime Is Crunchyroll’s Most-Watched Anime of the Week Again

The winter anime season has brought a surge of viewership to Crunchyroll as long-standing favorites and highly anticipated newcomers compete for the top spots on the platform. Fans are flocking to a diverse array of genres, ranging from dark supernatural thrillers to high-fantasy adventures. This week’s data highlights the staying power of established franchises and the immediate impact of recent adaptations from popular webtoons and light novels. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, these titles represent the most engaging content currently capturing the attention of the global anime community.

‘DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR’ (2026)

Seven vampire brothers attend Decelis Academy while hiding their supernatural identities and suppressing their primal instincts. Their lives change significantly when a new student named Sooha arrives, triggering deep-seated memories of a forgotten past. The series explores themes of brotherhood, destiny, and the mysteries surrounding an ancient blood altar that binds the protagonists together. This adaptation is based on the popular webtoon produced by HYBE in collaboration with the K-pop group ENHYPEN.

‘Solo Leveling’ (2024–)

In a world where hunters possess supernatural abilities to clear dungeons, Sung Jinwoo starts his journey as the weakest member of the association. After a near-fatal incident in a high-ranking double dungeon, he is chosen by a mysterious program called the System. This unique ability allows him to level up his strength by completing quests, a feat impossible for any other hunter. He gradually transforms into a world-class warrior while uncovering the dark secrets of the Gates and the true nature of his power.

‘Fire Force’ (2019–)

Set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, special fire brigades battle the phenomenon of Spontaneous Human Combustion where victims turn into living infernos. Shinra Kusakabe, a young pyrokinetic who can ignite his feet, joins Special Fire Force Company 8 to save lives and solve the mystery of his family’s death. The narrative explores the corruption within the Holy Sol Temple and the origins of the enigmatic Adolla Burst. The team must confront the White-Clad organization to prevent a second Great Cataclysm from destroying the world.

‘Hell’s Paradise’ (2023–)

Gabimaru the Hollow, an elite ninja on death row, is offered a full pardon if he can find the Elixir of Life on a legendary island. This mysterious land, known as Shinkurago, is filled with nightmarish creatures and divine-like beings that challenge human comprehension. He is accompanied by Sagiri Asaemon, a skilled executioner who monitors his actions and assesses his resolve. Together, they must navigate a landscape of lethal competitors and supernatural horrors to secure their freedom and return home.

‘Gachiakuta’ (2025)

Ludo is a young man living in the slums of a floating city where residents discard their trash into a massive abyss known as the Pit. After being falsely accused of a crime, he is thrown into this garbage heap and discovers a vibrant, dangerous world beneath the clouds. He learns that discarded objects can manifest powerful spirits known as Jinki, granting him the ability to fight against the monsters inhabiting the wasteland. Ludo joins a group of “Cleaners” to seek vengeance against the society that abandoned him and uncover the truth of the world.

‘ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!’ (2026)

Flum Apricot is born with a unique constitution that grants her zero combat stats, leading her party to sell her into slavery. Deemed useless by the Hero’s party, she is left to die in a dungeon filled with horrific monsters. However, she discovers a cursed sword that transforms her apparent weakness into a devastating and gruesome power. Alongside a companion she rescues, Flum fights to reclaim her life and expose the cruelty of those who betrayed her in this dark fantasy world.

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

After the Hero’s party concludes a ten-year quest to defeat the Demon King, the elven mage Frieren begins a solitary journey across the continent. As an elf with an immense lifespan, she watches her human comrades age and pass away, leading her to regret not knowing them better during their time together. She eventually takes on a young apprentice named Fern and retraces her previous steps to find a way to communicate with the dead. The story focuses on the passage of time and the emotional weight of human connections in the aftermath of a grand adventure.

‘Jack-of-All-Trades, Party of None’ (2026)

This series follows a versatile adventurer who excels in multiple disciplines but struggles to find a permanent place in specialized hero groups. Despite his wide range of skills, he is often overlooked by elite parties that prefer members who have mastered a single, specific craft. He eventually decides to form his own group, recruiting other unconventional characters who have been rejected by mainstream adventuring society. The narrative highlights the value of adaptability and the challenges of being a generalist in a world obsessed with specialization.

‘Sentenced to Be a Hero’ (2026)

In a world where heroism is treated as a severe legal punishment, high-level criminals are forced to fight dangerous monsters as penance for their crimes. The protagonist is a former convict sentenced to lead a suicide squad of “Heroes” against the encroaching armies of the Demon King. Unlike traditional heroic tales, this series explores the darker side of duty and the moral ambiguity of those forced into service. Success in battle is the only way for these warriors to reduce their sentences and eventually regain their freedom.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–)

Yuji Itadori is a high school student who becomes the vessel for Ryomen Sukuna, the undisputed King of Curses, after consuming a cursed finger. To protect his friends and the world from malevolent spirits, he joins the Tokyo Jujutsu High School to learn the art of exorcism. Under the guidance of Satoru Gojo, the world’s strongest sorcerer, Yuji and his classmates engage in brutal battles against Special Grade Curses. The series is acclaimed for its intricate power system and the high-stakes supernatural combat that defines the modern sorcery world.

Share your favorite moments from this week’s top-rated episodes in the comments.