The best animes of 2026 (so far)

Fans of Planet of the Apes rejoice. This cerebral anime focuses on a chimp-human hybrid, aka a ‘Humanzee’, named Charlie. As the teenage ape comes to terms with his impressive intelligence and physical strength, he also finds himself in the midst of an eco-terrorist plot. Balancing high-stakes drama with Charlie’s adorable high-school shenanigans, The Darwin Incident is an anime that goes bananas in all the right ways.

Head back to the grimy, industrial hellscape simply known as ‘The Hole’ as Dorohoedoro returns after a six-year gap. The new season yet again brims with dark humour and punk visuals as our amnesiac reptilian hero Caiman and his accomplice Nikaido explore the rest of the Hole while taking down evil sorcerers. If body horror and chaotic comedy are your jam, then Dorohedoro’s new season needs to be on your Crunchyroll (and Netflix) watchlist. 

Much like Dorohedoro, the surreal and violent Hell’s Paradise makes for another highly-awaited offering from anime studio MAPPA. Set in a cursed island that harbours the elixir of life, the anime first aired in 2023 with a concise 12-episode run. The acclaimed series returned with 12 more episodes in which reckless ninja Gabimaru and dutiful samurai executioner Sagiri cross paths with new monsters on their hellish island.

The most unabashedly bizarre anime of recent times has spanned many eras, with a new ‘JoJo’ employing physics-defying punches and striking diva poses in every season. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure takes things into late-19th century America and a $50 million horse race across the country. A worryingly topical subplot involves US President Funny Valentine using the race as an excuse to collect body parts of a holy being to his own nefarious ends. So far only an extended first episode is out on Netflix, but expect a follow-up in the autumn. 

Any anime watcher can tell you that Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood ranks among the best of all time. While that dark steampunk classic has long ended, another title by manga artist Hiromu Arakawa has just got the anime treatment. Centered around two estranged twin brothers who can control demons, Daemons of the Shadow Realm grabs your attention with morally complex protagonists plunged into shadowy scenarios. The first batch of episodes is so immersive, it points to Fullmetal-like glory ahead.

While it has no dearth of magic tricks and dramatic combat, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has quickly established itself as a universally beloved anime for its humanity. Its Tolkien adjacent world of elves, wizards and armoured warriors feels familiar and yet, Frieren trades ambitious battles for the aftermath of such battles. The first season was an instant success with the titular elven mage Frieren recalling memories of her warrior friends she has long outlived. As the introspective Frieren befriends some younger apprentices, the anime adds some cathartic slice-of-life drama to the overdone epic fantasy genre. The new season continues the anime’s winning streak with new magical challenges and meditations on the uncertainties of life. 

Easily one of the most richly detailed and emotionally complex anime in the game, Jujutsu Kaisen debuted its hotly anticipated Culling Game arc this year. Building up from the blood-soaked chaos of last season, The Culling Game sets up an unpredictable battle royale tournament that pits cursed teenager Yuji Itadori against old and new sorcerers. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe now, with every morally grey character’s inner demons and fighting techniques making this more than your average dark fantasy series. Even the build-up to the tournament makes for ‘absolute cinema’ with fan-favourite character Maki spilling rivers of blood in a jaw-dropping Kill Bill-inspired sequence.