Looking for the best anime shows to stream in 2026? We've got you covered — whether you're new to anime or looking to explore new titles you've never heard of.
Over the past few years, interest in anime has grown exponentially, especially outside of Japan, which means streaming anime (legally) is now easier than ever. Regardless of whether you've indulged in the medium once or twice, there are specific titles like One Piece, Naruto, and, more recently, My Hero Academia, that you are probably already familiar with or at least have heard of in passing on social media.
To spare you from trying to catch up on literally 1000+ episodes, we have excluded those classic shōnens from this list, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be on your to-watch list if you are ready to commit.
Ranging from heartwarming slice-of-life stories to heartbreaking horror thrillers, we've rounded up 47 of the best anime shows to stream online in 2026 — including the most anticipated releases of the year and, yes, shows only. Anime movies deserve a list of their own! Most of the shows on this list are low-commitment and high-reward, so… you're welcome in advance. (Pro-tip: If you are located outside of the US, the titles available on Hulu should also be available on Disney+ overseas.)
1. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023)
Genre: Fantasy
Seasons: Season 2 premieres January 16, 2026
Total Episodes: 28 (first season only)
Also a 2025 Anime of the Year contender, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is exactly what you're looking for if you want a slow-burn, cozy watch. (Think of it like the Stardew Valley of the anime world.) The show is based on an original manga written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe. It is animated by Madhouse (Trigun, Cardcaptor Sakura, NANA, One-Punch Man) and directed by Keiichirō Saitō, whom you might recognize from Bocchi the Rock!.
2. Jujutsu Kaisen (2020)
Genre: Action, dark fantasy
Seasons: Season 3 premieres January 8, 2026
Total Episodes: 47 (across two seasons)
Now, I may be biased, but I think Jujutsu Kaisen is the best anime to stream at the moment — and if Megan Thee Stallion agrees, then it must be the truth. The Gege Akutami creation already earned a spot on Teen Vogue's list of the best TV shows of 2021, and it's only gotten better since then. Recognized as the Anime of the Year at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, Jujutsu Kaisen follows the story of Yuji Itadori, a high school student who swallows an ancient talisman, the cursed finger of the most powerful demon in history, and becomes one with the curse. Aside from action and fantasy galore, JJK also has some of the best-written female characters in anime and manga history.
3. Trigun (2023)
Genre: Action, science fiction
Seasons: Season 2 (a.k.a Trigun Stargaze) premieres January 10, 2026
Total Episodes: 12 (for Stampede only)
2023's Trigun Stampede is the second anime reimagining of Yasuhiro Nightow's Trigun manga series from the ‘90s, which comes with a complete image revamp. “Vash the Stampede’s a joyful gunslinging pacifist, so why does he have a $6 million bounty on his head? That’s what’s puzzling rookie reporter Meryl Stryfe and her jaded veteran partner when looking into the vigilante only to find someone who hates blood. But their investigation turns out to uncover something heinous — his evil twin brother, Millions Knives,” Crunchyroll’s description for the series reads.
4. Daemons of the Shadow Realm (2026)
Genre: Supernatural, adventure
Seasons: Season 1 premieres April 2026
Total Episodes: 24 (expected)
One of the most anticipated anime releases of 2026 is without a doubt Daemons of the Shadow Realm, an adaptation of the manga series of the same name by Hiromu Arakawa, best known for Fullmetal Alchemist. “In a world where certain humans command mighty supernatural duos called Daemons, it is the birthright of ‘the children who sunder day and night’ — twins Yuru and Asa — to rule over these powerful entities. Separated from a young age and unaware of the truth of their birth, brother and sister must fight to make their way back to each other, claim their birthright, and save the world,” the synopsis for the shōnen reads.
5. Witch Hat Atelier (2026)
Genre: Fantasy
Seasons: Season 1 premieres April 2026
Total Episodes: 24 (expected)
Another highly anticipated titled is the coming-of-age supernatural fantasy seinen Witch Hat Atelier. Based on the original story by mangaka Kamome Shirahama, the series will follow the story of a young girl named Coco on her journey to becoming a witch to save her mom.
6. Oshi no Ko (2023)
Genre: Fantasy, drama, mystery, musical
Seasons: Season 3 premieres January 14, 2026
Total Episodes: 24 (across two seasons)
If you like the idol world, Oshi no Ko is the anime for you. With a killer opening song with J-pop duo YOASOBI, the anime blends murders, reincarnation, and music to tell a compelling — and super intricate — story. Don't let the glitz and glam of the spotlights fool you.
7. Hell's Paradise (2023)
Genre: Action, drama, fantasy
Seasons: Season 2 premieres January 11, 2026
Total Episodes: 13 (first season only)
“Gabimaru reigns as the strongest and most ruthless assassin in his village. But now finds himself on death row — with only one way out: retrieve the Elixir of Life from a sinister island," the series synopsis reads on Crunchyroll. "Longing for freedom, he accepts the challenge. But with fellow convicts vying for the same prize and demonic beasts lurking, how will Gabimaru survive this harrowing quest?” Suffice it to say, this one is on the gorier side.
8. You and I Are Polar Opposites (2026)
Genre: Romantic comedy, school story
Seasons: Season 1 premieres January 11, 2026
Total Episodes: TBD (likely 12 or 24)
If you are in the market for something light and fun and love a good trope, You and I Are Polar Opposites, based on the popular romantic comedy manga by Kōcha Agasawa, might just be your next favorite watch.
9. Hana-Kimi (2026)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Seasons: Season 1 premieres January 4, 2026
Total Episodes: TBD
If you liked She's the Man in the ‘00s, then this new shōjo anime will be right up your alley. Hana-Kimi, based on the manga of the same name by the late Hisaya Nakajo, follows the story of transfer student Ashiya Mizuki as she enrolls in an all-boys school to meet her idol, Sano Izumi.
10. Fire Force (2019)
Genre: Action, fantasy
Seasons: Season 3 Part 2 premieres January 10, 2026
Total Episodes: 60 (up to Season 3 Part 1)
Set in Tokyo and a spontaneous human combustion continues to be a threat to humans, Fire Force follows of the story of Shinra and the Company 8 brigade to help stop the city from burning up.
11. To Your Eternity (2021)
Genre: Fantasy, adventure, drama
Seasons: 3
Total Episodes: 52
If you want a slow show that will make you cry, consider To Your Eternity. The show follows Fushi, a creature that can morph into anything it sees and experiences as it begins to understand the essence of human life.
12. Gachiakuta (2025)
Genre: Action, dark fantasy, dystopian
Seasons: 1 — season 2 is confirmed
Total Episodes: 24
Gachiakuta is one of the best animes of 2025 and we might be getting season 2 in 2026. The anime follows the story of Rudo, a young boy who is framed for murder and thrown to The Pit, an underground world where trash rules it all. There, he'll join the cleaners and get a sense of purpose for the first time.
13. The Summer Hikaru Died (2025)
Genre: Horror, slice-of-life
Seasons: 1 — season 2 is confirmed
Total Episodes: 12
The Summer Hikaru Died follows the story of besties Yoshiki and Hikaru, two unlikely best friends. One day, Hikaru disappears. He's gone for a week before he returns. And Yoshiki knows something has changed.
14. The Apothecary Diaries (2023)
Genre: Drama, mystery, romance
Seasons: 2
Total Episodes: 48
Produced by Toho Animation Studio and OLM, The Apothecary Diaries follows the story of Maomao, the daughter of an apothecary father who is kidnapped and sold to the emperor's palace, where she will put her fascination and knowledge of medicine to good use unravelling the court's mysteries.
15. Kaiju No. 8 (2024)
Genre: Action, science fiction, supernatural
Seasons: 2
Total Episodes: 23
Based on Naoya Matsumoto's manga of the same name, Kaiju No. 8 is the anime you're looking for if you have a soft spot for underdog stories. The show follows the story of Kafka Hibino, a cleaner-turned-shapeshifting-hero who fulfils his lifelong dream of joining the Defense Force, an organization set up to fight kaijus (a.k.a. monsters) to preserve peace and order. The only catch? Well, he only joins after accidentally ingesting a parasite which grants him the ability to turn into a kaiju himself.
16. Mr. Villain's Day Off (2024)
Genre: Comedy, slice-of-life
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 12
If you've ever woken up and wanted to skip school or work immediately, then you already know the sentiment behind Mr. Villain's Day Off well enough. “An Evil Organization from another planet is trying to take over Earth. An extraterrestrial from that organization named the ‘General’ tirelessly fights against Earth's defenders every single day in a battle of life and death,” the series officially logline reads, “however, today is his day off.”
17. Demon Slayer (2019)
Genre: Action, dark fantasy
Seasons: 4
Total Episodes: 63
Since its premiere in 2019, Demon Slayer has become one of the most popular animes of all time, both inside and outside of Japan. The show follows the story of Tanjiro Kamado, whose family is brutally murdered by a demon, in his journey to join the Demon Slayer Corps in order to turn his now-demon sister Nezuko back into a human.
18. Chainsaw Man (2022)
Genre: Action, dark fantasy, crime fiction
Seasons: 1 and a movie
Total Episodes: 12
With storylines nearing the NSFW zone and gore aspects, Chainsaw Man is definitely for more mature audiences. The show follows the story of Denji, a teenager who serendipitously ends up working as a Devil Hunter after he merges with his cute-yet-evil pet Pochita, who was, unbeknownst to Denji, the vessel for the powerful Chainsaw Devil.
19. Dan Da Dan (2024)
Genre: Action, science fiction, supernatural
Seasons: 2 — season 3 is also confirmed
Total Episodes: 24
One of the biggest contenders for AOTY at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards and one of Teen Vogue's best TV shows of 2024 and best animes of 2025, Dan Da Dan should be on your watch lists if you've not tapped in already. Based on Yukinobu Tatsu's manga of the same name and directed by newcomer Fūga Yamashiro, the anime follows the story of two high schoolers who, rather unorthodoxly, gain superpowers while fighting paranormal threats. It has everything from action to romance to the occult.
20. Bocchi the Rock! (2022)
Genre: Comedy, slice of life, musical
Seasons: 1 — season 2 is also confirmed
Total Episodes: 12
If you are looking for a show that will make you forget about your daily woes, give Bocchi the Rock! a try. The anime follows the story of Hitori Gotoh, a super introverted high schooler who overcomes her social anxiety to join a girl band and show off her impressive guitar skills. Every still in this anime is meme material and extremely relatable.
21. Solo Leveling (2024)
Genre: Action, fantasy
Seasons: 2
Total Episodes: 25
Adapted from a South Korean web novel, Solo Leveling follows the story of underdog Sung Jinwoo. “In a world of gifted hunters and monsters, weak hunter Sung Jinwoo gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program, leading him to become one of the strongest hunters and conquering even the strongest dungeons,” the show's synopsis reads. Plus, if you are a fan of K-pop, the opening is for the first season is sung by TXT and the second season's features Felix from Stray Kids.
22. Dorohedoro (2020)
Genre: Action, dark fantasy
Seasons: 1 — season 2 coming in the spring of 2026
Total Episodes: 12
You know the anime is going to look great when it's produced by MAPPA. Set in a near post-apocalyptic future, Dorohedoro follows the story of Caiman, a man with a reptilian head whose memories have been wiped by the same sorcerer who changed his appearance, and his best friend Nikaido, who joins him on a quest to recover his memories.
23. Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Genre: Action, neo-noir, space Western
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 26
Cowboy Bebop is the classic of classics. The bite-sized space Western is set in 2071 and follows the story of bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and his crew of misfits, which includes a genetically engineered, super-intelligent corgi named Ein, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of, well, trying to make money while catching criminals and escaping the law themselves.
24. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
Genre: Cyberpunk, action, science fiction, crime fiction
Seasons: 1 — season 2 is also in production
Total Episodes: 10
This NSFW Netflix number, adapted from a video game, snagged up the award for Anime of the Year during the 2023 Anime Awards for good reason. “In a dystopia riddled with corruption and cybernetic implants, a talented but reckless street kid strives to become a mercenary outlaw — an edgerunner,” the synopsis reads. If you are not already convinced, it has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
25. Haikyu!! (2014)
Genre: Sports, comedy, coming-of-age
Seasons: 4
Total Episodes: 85
You don't have to already enjoy volleyball to enjoy Haikyu!!, but you will become obsessed with the sport if you do. The fan-favorite anime follows the story of Shoyo Hinata, who's set on becoming the greatest volleyball player of all time despite his short height, and his team.
26. Mob Psycho 100 (2016)
Genre: Action, comedy
Seasons: 3
Total Episodes: 37
From the same creator of One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100 follows the story of Shigeo Kageyama, an average-looking, introverted teenager who is secretly a powerful esper with massive psychic abilities, as he joins his con-man boss Reigen Arataka in his medium agency. Come for the laughs, stay for the intricately animated and out-of-this-world scenes.
27. Hunter X Hunter (1999)
Genre: Action, fantasy
Seasons: 6
Total Episodes: 148
Originally released in 1999 and remade in 2011, Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter X Hunter follows the story of Gon as he sets off to find his dad and master his hunter abilities. On his journey, Gon is joined by a series of characters, including Killua. If you like action and quests, this one is for you.
28. Ranking of Kings (2021)
Genre: Coming-of-age, fantasy, comedy
Seasons: 2
Total Episodes: 33
Ranking of Kings follows the story of a deaf prince named Bojji, who ventures out of the castle to prove he's a worthy heir to the throne with his friend Kage, a shadow-like creator who happens to be a survivor of a wiped-out assassin clan. When it comes to heartwarming stories, nothing beats Ranking of Kings.
29. Spy X Family (2022)
Genre: Action, comedy, spy fiction
Seasons: 3
Total Episodes: 46
What do you get when you mix an international super spy dad, a telepathic adopted daughter, a serial killer mom, and a dog that can predict the future? Spy X Family, of course. If you want to have a laugh, give this one a try — no matter what age you are.
30. Banana Fish (2018)
Genre: Action, crime thriller, noir
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 24
BL-adjacent shōjo Banana Fish has been a fan-favorite since its premiere. Set in New York, the synopsis is as follows: “Ash Lynx is raised by an infamous gangster, Dino Golzine. When Ash grows up, he has his own gang and he must stop Dino from catching hold of the Banana Fish, a mysterious drug that causes insanity.”
31. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (2018)
Genre: Fantasy, comedy, action
Seasons: 3 — season 4 is confirmed
Total Episodes: 72
“Corporate worker Mikami Satoru is stabbed by a random killer and is reborn to an alternate world. But he turns out to be reborn a slime,” the series synopsis reads. Intrigued enough?
32. Psycho-Pass (2012)
Genre: Cyberpunk, crime, psychological thriller
Seasons: 3
Total Episodes: 22
Looking for a 1984-inspired cyberpunk thriller? Look no further than Psycho-Pass. The dystopian series takes place in the 22nd century in Japan, where society has developed a cymatic scanner that can measure a person's propensity towards criminality instantly.
33. Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (2020)
Genre: Drama, comedy, coming-of-age
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 12
Is there anything more meta than an anime about anime? Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! follows the story of anime-obsessed high schoolers Midori Asakusa, Sayaka Kanamori, and Tsubame Mizusaki as they set up their own animation club.
34. Pluto (2023)
Genre: Drama, mystery, science fiction
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 8
“When the world's seven most advanced robots and their human allies are murdered one by one, Inspector Gesicht soon discovers that he's also in danger,” the synopsis for Pluto reads. With a bite-sized run of only eight episodes of roughly one-hour each, this one will have you on the edge of your seat.
35. Heavenly Delusion (2023)
Genre: Adventure, mystery, science fiction
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 13
Spread across two storylines, Heavenly Delusions tells the story of a boy who grows up within the safe walls of a post-apocalyptic Japan full of monsters (a.k.a. paradise) and a small group of children who search for heaven outside the walls, where dangers lurk.
36. Delicious in Dungeon (2024)
Genre: Food, comedy, fantasy
Seasons: 1 — season 2 is also confirmed
Total Episodes: 12
“Dungeons, dragons... and delicious monster stew!? Adventurers foray into a cursed buried kingdom to save their friend, cooking up a storm along the way,” Netflix's description for Delicious in Dungeon reads. However, not everything is PG here. Expect some nudity and violence, too.
37. Komi Can’t Communicate (2021)
Genre: Romantic comedy, Slice of life
Seasons: 2
Total Episodes: 24
Komi Can’t Communicate follows the story of Shoko Komi, a high school student with severe social anxiety who can't even communicate via text with others, as she breaks out of her shell thanks to a test set up by classmate Hitohito Tadano.
38. Yuri!!! On ICE (2016)
Genre: BL, sports, romance
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 12
If you are loving Heated Rivalry but still haven't seen Yuri!!! On ICE, what are you doing? The popular BL anime, produced by MAPPA, follows the story of figure skater Yuri Katsuki, who's about to retire, as his path crosses with Yuri Plisetsky and Victor Nikiforov, which ignites his fire again. If you want sports competition and intimacy, Yuri!!! On ICE has is while still being TV-14.
39. Death Note (2006)
Genre: Dark fantasy, horror
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 37
What would you do if you had a notebook that could kill anyone in the world just by writing their name on it? That's the basis of the uber-popular Death Note, after this mysterious block of pages falls in the hands of high schooler Light Yagami.
40. Soul Eater (2008)
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 51
If you are already a fan of animes like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer, you'll surely enjoy Soul Eater. The show follows the story of Maka, a young Meister, and Soul, her weapon, who are fighting against monsters and ghouls alongside their classmates at Death Weapon Meister Academy.
41. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
Genre: Action
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 26
Another classic! If you haven't heard of Neon Genesis Evangelion, you've surely at least heard its opening song. The legendary apocalyptic show follows the story of Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy recruited by his father Gendo Rokubungi under a paramilitary organization named Nerv to pilot a giant cyborg called Eva-01 and fight against beings known as Angels.
42. Vinland Saga (2019)
Genre: Historical, Action
Seasons: 2
Total Episodes: 24
Want an anime about Vikings? Then look no further than Vinland Saga. The anime is based on Makoto Yukimura's manga series of the same name and follows the story of a child named Thorfinn, who joins the Vikings after his father's death. Season 1 was animated by Wit Studio and MAPPA took over in Season 2.
43. Uncle From Another World (2022)
Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 13
“Hit by a truck when he was 17 years old, Takafumi's uncle suddenly awakens from a coma that lasted 17 years. When Takafumi visits him in the hospital, he sees his uncle muttering nonsense, declaring that he has returned from another world,” the synopsis for the series reads. Well, to tell you one thing: he's not lying, and he has the powers to prove it. If you want a laugh, add this one to your list.
44. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023)
Genre: Comedy, horror
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 12
As noted by to IMDb, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead tells the story of “a worker in a foreign finance company [who] is bullied and worked around the clock, before a zombie outbreak finally makes him feel alive.” Not to be confused with the Netflix live-action adaptation!
45. Devilman Crybaby (2018)
Genre: Horror, drama
Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 10
If you are looking for an anime that will tear your heart right up — and not in the sentimental way — then Devilman Crybaby should be your pick. “With demons reawakened and humanity in turmoil, a sensitive demon-boy is led into a brutal, degenerate war against evil by his mysterious friend, Ryo,” the series' official synopsis reads. Let me warn you: this anime is not for the faint of heart.
46. Attack on Titan (2013)
Genre: Action, fantasy, horror
Seasons: 4
Total Episodes: 94
Attack on Titan almost needs to introduction. The suspenseful title has garnered a legion of fans and tuned many skeptics of the medium into full-blown stans. Now that the anime has finished, there's no better time than now to start watching.
47. Mashle: Magic and Muscles (2023)
Genre: Action, fantasy, comedy
Seasons: 2 — season 3 is in development
Total Episodes: 24
Mashle: Magic and Muscles follows the story of Mash Burnedead, a magic-less boy in a magical world. He might not have magic but he has something else: a ripped body, which comes in handy when people suddenly start trying to kill him.
