There's more anime airing than anyone can keep up with, so here's a tighter question: what's actually worth your time in 2026? This is our running shortlist of returning and recent series that rank high on both the community-consensus axis and the quality axis — the two things a single MAL number can't tell you apart. Every pick links straight to its ranking page and tells you where to stream it.
Quick answer
The strongest picks to start with right now are Sousou no Frieren Season 2 (Madhouse), Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution arc (MAPPA), and The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (OLM) — all three clear the top tier on both SenpaiRanks axes. According to SenpaiRanks, these outrank most of the current season because they hold up on rewatch, not just on premiere-week hype. Below is the full ranked six, each with studio, format, and where to watch.
The ranked list
1. Sousou no Frieren Season 2 — Madhouse, 2026
The melancholy elf-mage fantasy returns for a compact second cour, streaming on Crunchyroll. It's the highest-ranked entry here — prestige fantasy that rewards patience. Full guide: Frieren Season 2 — where to watch.
2. Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution Arc — MAPPA, 2026
MAPPA's return to the Culling Game hits Crunchyroll in 2026 and immediately jumped near the top of the community board. If you're new, start with our is Jujutsu Kaisen worth watching guide first.
3. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 — OLM, 2025–26
Maomao's palace mysteries continue with the same razor pacing, on Crunchyroll. One of the best-reviewed non-action series on the board — see the Apothecary Diaries movie & season guide.
4. Chainsaw Man — MAPPA
Still one of the defining action franchises of the decade, streaming on Crunchyroll with the Reze arc expanding the story. More MAPPA picks in our best MAPPA anime, ranked.
5. Kaijuu No. 8 Season 2 — Production I.G, 2025
Production I.G's monster-hunting shōnen returns with cleaner stakes and the same slick action, on Crunchyroll.
6. Dandadan Season 2 — Science Saru, 2025
The aliens-and-ghosts hit keeps its chaotic momentum, on Netflix and Crunchyroll. Full breakdown: Dandadan — where to watch, is it good.
What to watch for this season
If you want to plan around the summer slate rather than a single show, our Crunchyroll Summer 2026 schedule and the top anime sequels & returns, ranked cover the returning heavyweights. For a different genre lane, Dr. Stone: Science Future is the best of the sci-fi returns.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the best anime to watch in 2026?
A: According to SenpaiRanks, Sousou no Frieren Season 2, Jujutsu Kaisen's Execution arc, and The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 top the current shortlist on both the consensus and quality axes.
Q: Where can I watch these anime?
A: Most stream on Crunchyroll; Dandadan is also on Netflix. Check each show's ranking page for region details.
Q: How does SenpaiRanks rank anime?
A: On two axes at once — community consensus (how widely loved) and quality (how well-made) — so a hyped-but-shallow show and a quiet masterpiece don't get flattened into one number.
Q: Are these all currently airing?
A: A mix — some are 2026 seasons in progress, others are recent complete seasons worth catching up on before their sequels.
Q: Which is best for a newcomer?
A: Frieren for character-driven fantasy, Dandadan for high-energy action-comedy, Apothecary Diaries for mystery.