2025 was an excellent year for shonen anime fans. They were treated to hits like One Piece, My Hero Academia, Dr. Stone, and Gachiakuta. It is worth mentioning that these are just the biggest shonen releases of the year, and there were several others that were equally good in terms of quality.
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With the year about to end, fans are already looking forward to the new shonen anime that they are going to watch in 2026. So far, the lineup for 2026 looks outstanding, and with time, fans can expect amazing titles to release in the same year. Keeping track of all the big announcements can be a chore, which is why this post makes things simpler as it covers all major shonen anime coming out in 2026.
This post contains spoilers for several anime.
One Piece
Release Date: April 2026
- The One Piece anime is becoming seasonal
The One Piece anime is going on a break from January 2026 to March 2026 because it has officially become a seasonal series. The anime will release a total of 26 episodes every year, and they will be divided into two cours. The decision to make One Piece a seasonal anime will give the staff at Toei Animation a breather, as they have been delivering top-notch episodes for months.
When the anime returns in April 2026, it will do so with the Elbaf arc, and, hopefully, improved pacing. Toei Animation has given fans no reason to doubt the animation quality, but the pacing remains average.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Release Date: January 2026
- JJK Season 3 will cover the Culling Game arc
The much-awaited third season of Jujutsu Kaisen premieres in January 2026. The second season of the anime ended in December 2023, so it has been more than two years since fans saw a new episode of JJK. In November 2025, MAPPA released a compilation movie that covered the entirety of the Shibuya Incident arc and two episodes from the third season.
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The decision was likely driven by the studio's desire to build more hype around the third season and to attract an even bigger audience. The new season will cover the Culling Game arc, which is full of exciting battles. Plus, it will also include the debut of many new characters.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Release Date: January 2026
- The second season will be under a lot of pressure
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is arguably the biggest shonen release of 2026. The first season mesmerized the audience, and they loved it so much that it became the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList. Not only was the animation immense, but the story and characters were also phenomenal. Another trait unique to Frieren is that it subverted the usual shonen tropes.
Fans who are eager to watch Frieren's second season can do so when the anime is released on January 16th, 2026. Currently, there is no news about the number of episodes in the second season, but it's likely to be around the same as the first. So, fans can expect another season with 25+ episodes.
Hell's Paradise
Release Date: January 2026
- Hell's Paradise Season 2 is going to be packed with exciting fights
When Hell's Paradise was released in 2023, it received an overwhelmingly positive reception from viewers. They were blown away by the quality of the animation and its representation of several dark themes. Despite the success of the first season, there weren't too many updates regarding the next installment.
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Thankfully, fans no longer have to wait anxiously for news regarding the second season, as it is confirmed to start airing in January 2026. Hell's Paradise joins other famous titles like Frieren, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Oshi no Ko, all of which are releasing in the same month. The new season will once again focus on Gabimaru, the famed ninja from Iwagakure, as he tries to find the Elixir of Immortality.
Fire Force
Release Date: January 2026
- Fire Force Season 3 Cour 2 will bring an end to its story
January 2026 is going to be bittersweet for Fire Force fans. While they will finally get to see the second cour of the third season, it means that there won't be any more anime episodes afterward. Despite the downside, they can take solace in the fact that David Production is going to produce an excellent adaptation that will do the manga justice.
The second cour of Fire Force Season 3 will begin airing on January 10th, 2026. In the final cour, Shinra, Arthur, and their allies will combine their strength to take down the source of the Great Cataclysm.
Daemons of the Shadow Realm
Release Date: April 2026
- Based on Hiromu Arakawa's work
Daemons of the Shadow Realm is a brand-new anime that is based on the manga of the same name. Many anime fans may not know that the author is Hiromu Arakawa, the mind behind Fullmetal Alchemist, one of the greatest anime series of all time.
Since Arakawa is a talented author, there is every chance that Daemons of the Shadow Realm is going to be a hit. The anime is being produced by Bones Film, which has worked on Gachiakuta and My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. So, it's safe to say that it won't be lacking in terms of animation. The Daemons of the Shadow Realm follows the story of twins, who become entwined in a chain of chaotic events.
Marriagetoxin
Release Date: April 2026
- Potential successor of My Hero Academia
Marriagetoxin is an action and romance series that began serialization on Shonen Jump+ in 2022. The manga has been extremely popular with readers, which is why an anime adaptation was announced so quickly. Furthermore, it's likely that Shueisha wanted to increase the popularity further with an anime.
Marriagetoxin focuses on the life of an assassin, Hikaru Gero, who must find a bride to save his sister from a cruel fate. With very limited time, he immediately sets out to find someone whom he can marry.