Looking at the January 2026 calendar, the new year is set to begin with a wave of exciting anime releases, both new and returning. From long‑awaited sequels like the three‑year return of Hell’s Paradise, to climactic franchise conclusions such as the third installment of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, and major canonical entries like the second Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway film, the month will surely be busy. With so much anticipation building, January promises to deliver a strong start for anime fans worldwide. Here are the top 10 releases we’re keeping our eyes on as 2026 kicks off.
MF Ghost Season 3
Release Date: January 4, 2026
Fast, furious and nostalgic, MF Ghost will be returning with its third installment in less than a month. After leaving fans hanging mid-race with a cliffhanger, the series will finally continue the Peninsula Manazuru showdown following a 13‑month wait. Will Season 3 lean more heavily into racing, expand the romance subplot, or surprise viewers with additional Initial D cameos? Whatever direction it takes, audiences can expect answers starting in the first week of January 2026. While a global release has yet to be confirmed, it is highly likely that the new season will stream weekly on Crunchyroll, just as the previous two seasons did.
Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 1
Release Date: January 8, 2026
After two years, Jujutsu Kaisen is finally ready to move past the “Shibuya Incident,” with Season 3 locked in for a January 8 release. While the gap hasn’t been as long as some other returning series, the wait for the next arc after such an emotional fallout has felt endless for its massive fandom. The high-stakes action continues under the meticulous eye of studio MAPPA, which has juggled multiple projects throughout 2025. With the premiere date now locked, fans can brace themselves for more intense battles and emotional upheaval, as new episodes stream globally on Crunchyroll. And for those who have already seen the latest compilation film, please keep spoilers under wraps — no matter how insignificant the spoiled content may be.
Fire Force Season 3 Part 2
Release Date: January 10, 2026
When Fire Force Season 3 first aired in spring, many expected long-awaited closure to Atsushi Ohkubo’s dark fantasy saga of pyrokinetic firefighters after more than four years. Instead, the climactic season was split into two cours — a strategy that, given the lengthy gap since the last season, may prove effective in reigniting audience interest by creating a near half‑year break. The previous installment cracked open several Pandora’s boxes, unveiling dark secrets and expanding the deeper lore of the Fire Force world. With the Great Cataclysm finale now looming, the final cour promises to bring the saga to a definitive end, streaming weekly worldwide on Crunchyroll.
Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku Season 2
Release Date: January 11, 2026
On January 11, 2026, MAPPA is dragging viewers back into the deadly Divine Paradise island with the second season of Hell’s Paradise. Following the intense existential horror of the first installment, fans have endured nearly three years of anticipation to finally continue Gabimaru’s quest for the Elixir of Life and uncover the island’s secrets, all while facing high‑stakes battles against formidable threats. Season 2 will stream internationally on Crunchyroll and be available on Netflix in Asia, ensuring global audiences can experience the next chapter of this dark, gripping saga.
OSHI NO KO Season 4
Release Date: January 14, 2026
OSHI NO KO, the series that broke the internet with its darkly dramatic take on the world of Japanese entertainment, is also returning for its fourth season. While the previous seasons ran back-to-back, the pause felt excruciating for a fandom obsessed with the revenge plot — though more bearable for those who enjoy the story’s lighter moments. Scheduled to drop January 14, 2026, the series is set to bring all the meta-commentary and emotional intensity back with its weekly streams on Crunchyroll and Netflix (Asia).
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
Release Date: January 16, 2026
Following its debut as one of the most critically acclaimed and emotionally resonant fantasy series in recent memory, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is finally returning to stir emotions once again. Season 2 will follow Frieren, Fern and Stark as they make their way to the Northern Plateau to undertake the First-Class Mage Exam. Beginning January 16, 2026,the second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End will officially stream on Crunchyroll as it airs in Japan.
Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
Release Date: January 22, 2026
Netflix’s upcoming original anime film Cosmic Princess Kaguya has been generating buzz since the release of its first trailer. A refreshing and bold reimagining of the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, one of Japan’s most ancient, revered folktales, Cosmic Princess Kaguya reframes this age-old fable through a dazzling, sci-fi lens. The production is helmed by Shingo Yamashita, whose previous credits include acclaimed works such as Chainsaw Man, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Soul Eater. Another noteworthy highlight is its music, which features a lineup of celebrated Vocaloid producers: ryo (supercell), kz (livetune), 40mP, HoneyWorks, Aqu3ra and yuigot.
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe
Release Date: January 30, 2026
For the dedicated Gundam fanbase, any new film or anime adaptation is monumental — especially when it’s canon to the Universal Century (UC) timeline. The long‑awaited second film of Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, titled The Sorcery of Nymph Circe, is finally set to release next month.
After more than four years of silence, fans feared the project had been shelved or might share the fate of Gundam Thunderbolt, which has seen no continuation since its second compilation film in 2017. However, an official announcement earlier this year confirmed that Hathaway is the second installment of a planned trilogy, suggesting another extended wait before Sunrise concludes the story. Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe will premiere in Japanese theaters at the end of January, with streaming details yet to be announced. In the meantime, the first film remains available on Netflix, giving fans the chance to revisit the saga before the next chapter arrives.
The Darwin Incident
Release Date: January 2026
While many of January’s key anime releases are sequels and continuations of established IPs, The Darwin Incident stands out as one of the few highly anticipated debuts. Based on the critically acclaimed manga by Shun Umezawa, the series earned recognition for its philosophical depth and distinctive, realistic art style. Adding to the anticipation, this adaptation marks the first project from Bellnox Films, Kadokawa Corp’s newly-founded animation studio. The stakes are high for the studio’s debut, but confidence is bolstered by its leadership under Koji Kajita, former president and co‑founder of david production, whose producing credits include JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Fire Force.
TRIGUN STARGAZE
Release Date: January 2026
The legacy of iconic space Western anime Trigun continues with a new installment, TRIGUN STARGAZE. As the concluding chapter of Trigun Stampede – the 2023 reboot – the series is set about two and a half years after the previous season’s events. The story continues Vash the Stampede’s journey, building toward a definitive conclusion. TRIGUN STARGAZE is scheduled for a Crunchroll simulcast sometime in January 2026. In the meantime, if you want to recap on the previous season, Trigun Stampede is available to stream on Crunchyroll, Hulu and Netflix in select regions.
