Introducing the new, recommended anime works to be released in 2026! ANIME NOW 2026
Contents
- Anime Series The Apothecary Diaries
- Movie Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway
- Anime Series STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
- Movie Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu (Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island)
- Assassination Classroom the Movie: Our Time
- EREN THE SOUTHPAW
- Anime Series DARK MACHINE THE ANIMATION
Anime Series The Apothecary Diaries
Set within the inner palace of the fictional great nation of Li, “The Apothecary Diaries” is a mystery entertainment series that follows Maomao, a young apothecary who becomes the “taster” for one of the emperor’s favored consorts and goes on to unravel a series of perplexing incidents within the imperial court. Alongside deductions grounded in real pharmaceutical knowledge, the series stands out for its carefully woven storytelling, winning praise from audiences around the world across ages and genders. The highly anticipated third season of the TV anime will air in two cours, with the first beginning in October 2026 and the second in April 2027. The franchise’s first-ever theatrical film, featuring a completely original story, is also scheduled for release in December 2026.
Movie Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway
“Detective Conan” is a phenomenon with an enormous fanbase not only in Japan, but around the world. In this 29th theatrical feature, traffic police officer Hagiwara Chihaya, known as the “Goddess of the Wind,” makes her first appearance in a Conan movie. A mysterious black motorcycle suddenly vaults over the car carrying Conan and his companions, then tears off at full speed. Chihaya gives chase on her white police motorcycle, but who, or what, is the rider behind the runaway black machine? Set in Yokohama, a high-speed action-packed mystery unlike any before is about to begin. In theaters April 10, 2026.
Anime Series STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” is a manga series with over 120 million copies in circulation, and it also boasts tremendous popularity overseas. Now, as the newest installment in the anime series, an adaptation of “STEEL BALL RUN,” Part 7 of Araki Hirohiko’s original manga, has officially been announced. Set in the United States in the late 19th century, the story follows the first-ever horseback race across the North American continent. As conspiracies swirl around an enormous cash prize, Johnny Joestar, a once-prodigy jockey now paralyzed from the waist down, and the mysterious outlaw Gyro Zeppeli set out on a brutal journey—each driven by motives of their own. The series is slated for a Netflix worldwide exclusive early release on March 19, 2026.
Movie Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu (Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island)
The globally popular “Chiikawa” is finally getting a movie. The original manga, which began as illustrator Nagano’s posts on X (formerly Twitter), has seen its popularity surge since serialization began in 2020. Since the short anime premiered in 2022, its catch-up streams on YouTube have surpassed 400 million total views, and with a steady stream of merchandise and collaborations, the series has grown into a full-blown social phenomenon. The first-ever theatrical anime film, “Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island,” will bring the feature-length “Siren Arc” to the big screen and is set to hit theaters in summer 2026.
Assassination Classroom the Movie: Our Time
Matsui Yusei’s “Assassination Classroom” was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2012 to 2016 and has sold over 27 million copies worldwide. The hit manga captivated readers with its one-of-a-kind premise and colorful cast of characters, following the troubled students of Class 3-E as they grow through their unusual “assassination” lessons aimed at their superpowered homeroom teacher, Koro-sensei. To mark the 10th anniversary of the TV anime broadcast, “Assassination Classroom the Movie: Our Time” is set to hit theaters on March 20, 2026. This all-new animated feature brings to life episodes never depicted before, and with new cast members joining the lineup, it delivers an even more amped-up story where assassination meets youth drama.
EREN THE SOUTHPAW
Asakura Koichi is an ordinary young man who dreams of becoming “something,” even as he struggles with the limits of his own talent. Yamagishi Eren, by contrast, is a solitary prodigy, tormented by her overwhelming gifts. Their encounter and clash lie at the heart of Kappy’s hit manga “EREN THE SOUTHPAW,” now finally being adapted into a TV anime series. With the tagline, “For everyone who never became a genius,” this gut-wrenching coming-of-age ensemble drama unfolds in the world of creativity. Chiba Shoya voices the protagonist, Koichi, while Uchiyama Yumi lends her voice to Ellen, drawing attention to its popular voice cast. The series begins airing in April 2026 on the TV Tokyo network.
Anime Series DARK MACHINE THE ANIMATION
Set in a near-future Japan where the globally popular esports game Dark Machine has reshaped even the nation’s economic system, the story follows Kairi, who meets a girl named Rudra and sets his sights on becoming the best in Dark Machine. The project is drawing attention as a cross-media initiative that will include an esports-focused game, “DARK MACHINE THE GAME,” slated for worldwide release, and an original TV anime series. The creative producer is Taniguchi Goro, director of “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.” The anime is scheduled to air in 2026.
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