Fall 2026 Anime Preview: The Biggest Shows and Movies Arriving in the Next Three Months

Created by: Christopher Leath                      First Article Edition                           09.02.2026

All information provided is a collective sorted and organized by time and tv shows to movies.

The fall 2026 anime season is packed with major franchise returns, long-awaited adaptations and ambitious streaming originals. Between September 2 and December 2, viewers can expect new installments of Black Clover, Tokyo Revengers, The Apothecary Diaries, Ranma ½ and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners—plus an impressive theatrical lineup led by Sekiro: No Defeat and Witch on the Holy Night.

Release dates below are Japanese premiere dates unless a worldwide or North American release is specifically listed. Streaming availability can vary by country and may be announced closer to each premiere.

Upcoming Anime TV Shows

1. Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure — Stages 2 and 3

Release date: September 25
Where to watch: Netflix worldwide

The race across 1890s America continues as Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli face increasingly dangerous competitors, Stand users and political forces. Netflix says new episodes will stream on Fridays, with the season totaling 11 episodes.

This is likely to be one of the fall’s biggest releases, especially for viewers who have waited years to see the seventh—and often most highly praised—part of Hirohiko Araki’s saga animated.

2. The Apothecary Diaries — Season 3, Part 1

Release date: October 2

Maomao returns for another round of palace mysteries, medical investigations and political intrigue. The first half of Season 3 begins October 2, with its second cour scheduled for April 2027.

The show’s mix of detective storytelling, historical drama and slow-building romance should make it one of the season’s safest recommendations.

3. Tokyo Revengers: War of the Three Titans Arc

Release date: October 2

Takemichi’s time-traveling struggle moves into another major gang conflict involving the three dominant powers of Tokyo. The new season begins its Japanese broadcast on October 2.

Expect escalating violence, shifting loyalties and more attempts by Takemichi to change a future that refuses to stay fixed.

4. Ranma ½ — Season 3

Release date: October 3

The modern adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s martial-arts romantic comedy returns with more chaotic engagements, rivalries and transformations. Season 3 begins airing in Japan on October 3.

It remains a strong choice for viewers looking for comedy and classic anime energy amid the season’s heavier action series.

5. Aoashi — Season 2

Release date: October 4

After earning promotion to Esperion’s A Team, Ashito faces a far more demanding level of youth soccer. The sequel arrives roughly four years after the first season and is now being animated by TMS Entertainment.

The appeal remains the same: tactical soccer, personal development and the difficult transition from raw talent to professional-level thinking.

6. Blue Box — Season 2

Release date: October 4

The sports-romance series returns to continue Taiki’s badminton ambitions and his complicated feelings for basketball player Chinatsu. Season 2 premieres October 4 on Japan’s TBS network.

Fans should expect a greater emphasis on the characters’ changing relationships without abandoning the competitive-sports side of the story.

7. Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden

Release date: October 6

A legendary warrior is reincarnated as a sickly young noblewoman—but retains an overwhelming desire to fight. The result is an action-oriented reincarnation fantasy built around the amusing contrast between Nia’s elegant appearance and battle-hardened personality.

8. Super Psychic Policeman Chojo

Release date: October 6

This supernatural police comedy follows Meguru Chojo, an extraordinarily powerful but frequently unmotivated psychic officer, and Nao Ippongi, his justice-driven rookie partner.

Rather than a serious procedural, the series promises an eccentric buddy-cop comedy filled with psychic abilities and exaggerated personalities.

9. Magic Knight Rayearth

Release date: October 7

CLAMP’s landmark fantasy adventure receives a new television adaptation more than 30 years after the original anime. It follows Hikaru, Umi and Fuu, three girls transported from Tokyo Tower to the magical world of Cephiro.

The production is being handled by E&H Production, with music from Yuki Kajiura, Shiho Terada and Takumi Ozawa.

10. Reincarnated as a Sword II

Release date: October 7

The sentient weapon known as Teacher and the young catgirl warrior Fran resume their fantasy journey. The sequel should appeal to viewers who enjoyed the first season’s blend of dungeon exploration, found-family warmth and surprisingly effective action.

Its Japanese broadcast begins October 7; international streaming information remains to be confirmed.

11. A Certain Item of Dark Side

Release date: October 9

This A Certain Magical Index spinoff turns its attention toward ITEM, the group of girls carrying out dangerous missions in Academy City’s criminal underworld.

It should provide a darker perspective on the familiar science-versus-supernatural setting, particularly for established fans who want to see more of Academy City beyond its usual protagonists.

12. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

Release date: October 20
Where to watch: Netflix worldwide

Studio Trigger returns to Night City with a new cast and a separate story rather than a direct continuation of David Martinez’s journey. Netflix describes the new chapter as a harder, darker descent into the city’s most dangerous corners.

Considering the emotional impact and visual style of the first series, this is arguably the most anticipated streaming anime of the fall.

13. Black Clover — Season 2

Release date: October; exact day pending

Asta and the Magic Knights finally return to television after the original weekly series ended in 2021. Ayataka Tanemura is returning as director, while Crunchyroll has confirmed that the new anime will stream on its service.

A preview screening is scheduled for September 21 in select U.S. and Canadian theaters, alongside several other upcoming fall series.

14. PSYREN

Release date: October; exact day pending

One of Weekly Shonen Jump’s most requested unanimated manga finally reaches television. The story begins when Ageha Yoshina discovers a mysterious red phone card connected to a series of disappearances—and is drawn into a deadly supernatural game.

The adaptation is planned to cover the manga’s complete story, although additional seasons or cours may be required to accomplish that.

15. Demon’s Crest

Release date: November 6
Where to watch: Prime Video worldwide

From Sword Art Online creator Reki Kawahara comes a new story in which an immersive mixed-reality game begins bleeding into the real world. Production I.G is handling the animation, while Ado performs the opening theme.

This could be one of the season’s sleeper hits, particularly for viewers interested in virtual reality, gaming and psychological science fiction.

16. Fool Night

Release date: November 26
Where to watch: Netflix worldwide

In a future where clouds have blocked the sun for a century, humanity survives by transforming dying people into oxygen-producing plants. A struggling young man must decide whether remaining human is worth the suffering.

The adaptation represents the first collaboration between Sunrise and Shaft, two studios with dramatically different but highly recognizable creative histories. Netflix will release the entire series at once.

Upcoming Anime Movies

 

1. Sekiro: No Defeat

Japanese theatrical release: September 4
International release: Future Crunchyroll streaming release confirmed; date pending

FromSoftware’s brutal samurai action game becomes a completely hand-drawn 2D theatrical feature. The story follows the shinobi Wolf as he fights to rescue his young lord amid the collapse of Ashina. The Japanese release is a limited three-week engagement.

2. Sound! Euphonium: The Final Movement — Part 2

Japanese theatrical release: September 11

Kyoto Animation’s acclaimed concert-band drama reaches the second half of its theatrical conclusion. The movie brings Kumiko’s high-school journey—and the broader Sound! Euphonium television story—toward its final performance.

3. Star Detective Precure! The Movie

Japanese theatrical release: September 18

The 23rd Precure television series receives its accompanying theatrical adventure, built around a mysterious garden and two hidden secrets.

4. We Are Aliens

Japanese theatrical release: September 25

This original animated film follows the friendship of two boys over approximately 30 years, beginning with their meeting in rural Japan during the Heisei era.

5. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend

Japanese theatrical release: October 16

The Rascal Does Not Dream story reaches its conclusion as Sakuta confronts the final mystery surrounding Touko Kirishima and Puberty Syndrome. CloverWorks returns to animate the film.

6. BanG Dream! Ave Mujica: Prima Aurora

Japanese theatrical release: October 16

This new theatrical production continues the interconnected story of BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!! and Ave Mujica. It should be essential viewing for fans invested in the franchise’s increasingly dramatic band relationships.

7. Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery

Japanese theatrical release: October 23

The first installment of a new Made in Abyss theatrical series continues Riko, Reg and Nanachi’s journey into the Abyss. Its combination of beautiful fantasy imagery and deeply unsettling consequences remains unlike almost anything else in anime.

8. The Irregular at Magic High School: Yotsuba Succession Arc

U.S. and Canadian theatrical dates: November 1, 3 and 4
Languages: Japanese with English subtitles and English dub

Tatsuya and Miyuki are summoned to a New Year’s gathering where the Yotsuba family’s next leader will be chosen. This is currently the clearest confirmed North American theatrical anime release in the three-month window.

9. Expelled from Paradise: Resonance of the Heart

Japanese theatrical release: November 13

Director Seiji Mizushima and writer Gen Urobuchi reunite for a full sequel to the 2014 science-fiction film. The original explored a future in which much of humanity abandoned physical existence for a digital society; the sequel continues beyond that story with its principal creative team returning.

10. Witch on the Holy Night

Japanese theatrical release: November 20

TYPE-MOON’s visual novel receives a theatrical adaptation from ufotable, the studio behind Demon Slayer and the Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel trilogy. The supernatural story centers on young mage Aoko Aozaki and the mysterious residents of a mansion overlooking town.

11. Takopi’s Original Sin: Thank You, See You Tomorrow

Japanese theatrical release: November 27

The emotionally devastating science-fiction drama returns as a theatrical re-edit of its anime adaptation. The story follows a well-meaning alien whose attempts to help an abused girl produce increasingly tragic consequences.

Final Outlook

Fall 2026 offers an unusually balanced anime lineup. Established fans have major sequels such as Black Clover, The Apothecary Diaries and Tokyo Revengers. Nostalgia-driven viewers have Ranma ½ and Magic Knight Rayearth. Meanwhile, Demon’s Crest, PSYREN and Fool Night give the season several promising new worlds.

The three releases with the widest immediate accessibility are likely to be Steel Ball Run, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 and Fool Night on Netflix, followed by Demon’s Crest on Prime Video. For theatrical viewers in the United States, The Irregular at Magic High School currently has the most clearly confirmed November engagement.