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New seasons of Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren, One Piece, and Dorohedoro have spoiled fans with new episodes this spring, but there’s nothing more exciting for otakus than a newly released anime that is actually really good. All you want to do when you’ve found a good one is tell everyone about it.
That’s why we’re rounding up five brand new anime you’ll want to watch now. In my experience, the best part of starting a newly released series is being part of the conversation every week a new episode comes out, and enjoying (and understanding) the art, memes and cosplay that come out of it.
There are a lot of anime and it’s very difficult to know which ones are worth the time, but the following new titles are already highly rated and carving out their own fandoms that won’t shut up about them.
We present you with five titles across streaming services and genre so there’s something here for everyone.
RECOMMENDED: Here's the full list of the nominees for the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
1. Witch Hat Atelier
"In a world where only witches can cast magic, they must avoid being seen by ordinary people while casting. While Coco does her chores, she daydreams of becoming a witch. When a young witch named Qifrey visits her village, Coco uncovers the ‘absolute secret,’ becomes Qifrey’s apprentice, and begins her studies. This is the story of children who encounter despair, yet reach out toward hope."
You'll think you're watching a Studio Ghibli film with how beautiful this anime from Bug Films is. Based on the manga series written and illustrated by Kamome Shirahama, its gorgeous landscapes and cool depiction of magic, and highly-detailed character design, makes it really fun to watch. Plus, it grabs you from the get-go—there's no slow lead up to action. Plus, the main characters are people you want to root for. Qifrey is a mysterious and whimsical father figure while Coco is determined, strong and passionate. This should be at the top of your list.
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy and Seinen
Rating: 4.9 on Crunchroll
Date released: April 6
Airs: Mondays at 10pm EST
Watch on: Crunchyroll
2. Daemons of the Shadow Realm
“Yuru, a young hunter who lives in a small village deep in the mountains, hunts wild game and leads a humble life with Asa, his younger twin sister. Their peaceful lives are torn apart when a dragon’s roar echoes across the sky. What secrets lurk within their village? What fate awaits them? Enter a breathtaking mystical fantasy as exciting Daemon battles intertwine the mysterious and supernatural.”
Fans of Fullmetal Alchemist have been anticipating this anime by Bones Film. Based on the manga by Hiromu Arakaw, it features a brother and sister pair as protagonists—a cool concept. Already, its action-packed episodes are subverting expectations with its dark themes. The character design is overall pleasing to fans, so it's off to a great start.
Themes: Action, Adventury, Shonen
Rating: 4.9 on Crunchyroll
Date released: April 4
Airs: Saturdays at noon EST
Watch on: Crunchyroll
3. Love Through a Prism
“In early 1900s London, a young Japanese woman enrolls in a famous art school, only to be surprised when rivalry with a gifted classmate becomes romance.”
This one took me by surprise. It follows Lily, a talented artist who has to emigrate to London for school and exceed people's great expectations for her despite being new to the country and self-taught. The romance is a slow burn with good payoff and with potential for a couple of love triangles. It is one of the most beautifully animated shows I've ever watched. Every scene looks like a painting, which is certainly on purpose. It came out earlier this year, but I still think it's worth mentioning in this list.
Genre: Historical romance, Slice of life, and Coming-of-age drama
Rating: 8.2 on IMDb
Date released: January 15
Airs: All 20 episodes are out now
Watch on: Netflix
4. Nippon Sangoku: The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun
"A revolution sparked by nuclear war, natural disaster, and misrule leads to the collapse of Japanese society. The country splits into three nations vying for hegemony, and the Sangoku era begins. Aoteru Misumi, a former agricultural officer, vows to reunify Japan. He rises through the ranks with only his knowledge and eloquence. Witness the legend of the man later hailed as a genius strategist."
The series is based on the manga by Ikka Matsuki and directed by Kazuaki Terasawa (The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2, Woke-Up-as-a-Girl Syndrome from 'Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26') with animation by Studio Kafka. Its avant-garde animation style is not for everyone, but it will please fans of Tatami Galaxy and those looking for something new. The worldbuilding is exquisite and doesn't take much time to understand. This is definitely an original.
Genre: Post-apocalyptic, Historical, Fantasy, Drama, Military
Rating: 4.9 on Prime Video
Date released: April 5
Airs: Sundays at 8am EST
Watch on: Prime Video
5. Akane-banashi
"Akane Osaki, captivated since childhood by the magical performances of her father, Shinta Arakawa, witnesses a shocking incident during his decisive performance for promotion to Shin’uchi (master rank). Six years later, now a high school student, she sets her sights on becoming a Shin’uchi herself—pushing forward in the highly competitive world of Rakugo [the traditional Japanese art of comedic storytelling]."
This generational story by Yuki Suenaga is heartfelt as we follow this daddy's girl in her quest to join the family business so to speak. The animation studio ZEXCS really took care in making the Rakugo performances visually interesting. It's going to be easy to get invested in what happens to this family and Akane's quest just based on the first three episodes.
Genre: Shōnen, Drama, Comedy, Slice of Life
Rating: 8 on IMDb
Date released: April 4
Posted on: Saturdays
Watch on: YouTube (for free) and TV Asahi Network’s “IMAnimation” programming block
