The 2026 Winter Anime Watchlist

Big anime announcements. Bigger reactions.This week’s episode of In Bloom is STACKED with anime news and updates on Ghost in the Shell, Sparks of Tomorrow, Netflix x TOHO, $38b in piracy, Sakamoto Days and Takopi’s Original Sin.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into Yotaka Futatabi (Nighthawk Returns), Fuyuki Izumida's gritty action-comedy about Aoi Yotaka—a legendary assassin who took out 40 people in one night, then ghosted the underworld for eight years. Now she's 33, broke, alcoholic, chain-smoking, and blowing her last yen on gacha games. Peak NEET energy. But when eviction looms and an old colleague offers one more job, the Nighthawk has to ask herself: can washed-up killers make comebacks? It's retired assassin chaos meets midlife crisis, and it hits different.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

The Spotlight Demands BloodJoining Brendan in the studio is upcoming VTuber Oni.What happens when a rural doctor is reborn as the secret child of Japan's brightest idol—only to watch her murdered at his doorstep? Oshi no Ko delivers a devastating blend of showbiz thriller and revenge tragedy, where the glittering world of entertainment hides exploitation, obsession, and deadly secrets. Join us as we unpack this genre-defying story of reincarnation, twin siblings navigating the industry that destroyed their mother, and the question that haunts every episode—how far would you go to uncover the truth behind a perfect smile?In this episode (FULL SPOILERS): Going In Blind | Story & World-Building | Characters & Chemistry | Standout Moments | Animation, Sound & Style | The VerdictFrom first impressions to final verdict, we discuss the world-building, debate which characters land (and which fall flat), highlight the best moments, and evaluate the animation and soundtrack. At Sakura Society, we cut through the hype to help you decide what's actually worth your time.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into Gokurakugai, Yuto Sano's morally murky supernatural thriller about the ultimate odd couple: Alma, a perpetually hungry teen with demon blood, and Tao, his soft-spoken but trigger-happy partner. They run a "troubleshooter agency" hunting magas—humans-turned-demons—but here's the kicker: when your targets were once human, where's the line between justice and murder? Armed with weapons forged from Alma's own blood, our duo navigates a world where monsters and victims look suspiciously alike. It's demon-slaying with a conscience, and it hits different.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Big anime announcements. Bigger reactions. This weeks episode of In Bloom is STACKED with updates on Netflix and MAPPA becoming exclusive, Smoking Behind The Supermarket With You, Medalist, FX Fighter Kurumi-chan, and Tomb Raider King!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

A Miracle in the Most Unlikely CityWhat happens when a powerless high school boy with the worst luck imaginable becomes the protector of a nun holding the world's most dangerous knowledge? A Certain Magical Index delivers a surprisingly grounded take on the battle between science and magic—with index-busting fights, moral dilemmas, and a fist that shatters any illusion. Join us as we decode this sprawling urban fantasy and ask the real questions—like, who out there could not appreciate Touma's terrible luck?At Sakura Society, we're here to help you decide if the anime everyone's talking about is actually worth your time—and your watchlist.Joining Brendan in the Sugoi Studio for this episode is Duffo, the man behind the brilliant isekai inspired TTRPG, The World Summons Too Many Heroes and the fantastic anime podcast, Endless 08.In this episode, we're diving into:The World Summons Too Many Heroes - creating a character from scratch!hook & expectationsstory & world-buildingcharacters & chemistryanimation & stylesoundtrack & voice actingimpact & watchabilityplus lots more anime related banter!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired

IN BLOOM 🌸 | ANIME NEWS THAT HITS DIFFERENT, and this week is absolutely UNHINGED!KonoSuba said “10 years? Let’s go CRAZY”! Season 4 ✅ New game ✅ Exhibition ✅ They’re giving us EVERYTHING. Aqua could never…ZERO RISE is giving underground basketball + anime = INSTANT OBSESSION 🏀 Outcasts. Redemption. Street league chaos. This is about to EAT.The Firefly Wedding just said “marry your assassin to survive” 💀💍 October 2026 can’t come fast enough. David production ATE with this concept.Solo Leveling: Ragnarok S2 ended, artist going military BUT WAIT— Season 3 CONFIRMED with a new artist 👀⚔️ The power fantasy CONTINUES.Demon Slayer Infinity Castle BTS just dropped & it’s the highest-grossing anime film EVER made 🌊👹 Spirited Away walked so Infinity Castle could RUN.Your senpai’s got you covered see you in the next bloom!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

All aboard the chaos express! This week on Manhwa Monday I'm covering My Bias Gets on the Last Train a romance Manhwa by JIXKSEE—where fanboy fantasies collide with awkward reality when your K-pop bias sits next to you on the last train home!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

You won’t believe the kind of week anime just dropped on us, so let’s talk about it 👀We’ve got Historie officially confirmed for an anime adaptation, Ao no Kotae making its debut from the creator of Moriarty the Patriot, and multiple Season 2 announcements including The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows and Trapped in a Dating Sim.On the blockbuster side, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is getting a brand-new anime film to close out its story, Jujutsu Kaisen has smashed past 150 million copies in circulation, and Cosmic Princess Kaguya is gearing up for a global Netflix release.Like, follow, and buckle up, the anime industry is absolutely cooking right now 🌸Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Winter 2026 anime is stacked, so we’re breaking down exactly what deserves your time — from Fate/strange Fake finally unleashing its chaotic Holy Grail War, to Fire Force charging full-speed into its endgame, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End returning with quiet emotional devastation, and Jujutsu Kaisen dropping us straight into the Culling Game where absolutely no one is safe. We’ve got survival horror and moral despair in Hell’s Paradise, ice-cold passion and tears in Medalist, idol-industry discomfort in Oshi no Ko, doomed heroism in Sentenced to Be a Hero, and the long-awaited return of Vash in Trigun Stargaze. Add in soft, sneaky romances like In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, You and I Are Polar Opposites, and the nostalgic mystery of Tune In to the Midnight Heart, and yeah — Winter anime isn’t playing nice.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)