These are the anime highlights of the winter season

Cassie Mammone

6.1.2026

Translation: Natalie McKay

January marks the start of the new anime season – and it’s looking promising. Keep reading to find out what series highlights will be available on Crunchyroll and other streaming services in the next few months.

A number of anime premieres will be released over the next few weeks. These include long-awaited sequels and promising new additions. From this wide selection, I’ve picked out the main highlights that’ll get you through the winter.

Sentenced to Be a Hero

This adaptation of a light novel (page in German) was actually supposed to come out last autumn. Shortly before its planned release in October, it was postponed to the winter season in an effort to improve the quality. It remains to be seen whether this has paid off, or whether it was a warning sign.

This story revolves around heroes. But in the world of Sentenced to Be a Hero, this isn’t a good thing. On the contrary, being given this title is the worst punishment there is. Individuals who receive a hero sentence are forced to fight against armies of demons – even after they die. If a hero dies, they’re resurrected to continue fighting.

One of these heroes is Xylo Forbartz. As a goddess slayer, he leads a troop in war, until one day he meets a certain goddess. Instead of attacking her, they make a pact that has the potential to change the world.

Release date: 3 January, then every week on the same day it’s broadcast in Japan
Where?: Crunchyroll
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing not yet confirmed

Fate/strange Fake, episode 2+?

You need a separate guide to understand the Fate series and its many spin-offs with slashes in their names. But these anime have something in common: they’re all about the Holy Grail, which can fulfil any wish its owner desires. Magicians want to claim the powerful object for themselves, and conjure up warriors from our real history to help them do this – even if the historical figures are usually reinterpreted and given wild superpowers.

Another war breaks out over the Holy Grail in the Fate/strange Fake spin-off. Magicians from all over the world arrive in the fictional US town of Snow Field to take part in this epic battle. But this time the rules are different. The war seems to be a fake event…

The most confusing thing about Fate/strange Fake is its release cycle. The first episode was broadcast over a year ago. After that, there was silence for a long time, which understandably irritated fans. The second episode is now scheduled to be released at the start of the Winter Season. It currently looks like the rest will follow on a weekly basis.

Release date: 3 January, then every week on the same day it’s broadcast in Japan
Where?: Crunchyroll
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing not yet confirmed

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, season 2

The final season of My Hero Academia was one of the highlights of the autumn season. And now the story continues. Vigilantes is a spin-off of this popular manga series, putting new characters in the spotlight this time.

Vigilantes is about Koichi Haimawari, a student who has given up on his dream of being a hero. Although 80 per cent of people have superpowers in the world of My Hero Academia, only a few actually become heroes.

When Koichi is rescued one day by a vigilante – a person who isn’t an official hero and instead takes the law into their own hands – his plan changes suddenly. From then on, he wants to become a vigilante himself. The anime is an adaptation of the manga series of the same name by Hideyuki Furuhashi and Betten Court. As with the original work, Studio Bones is behind the adaptation.

Release date: 5 January, then every week on the same day it’s broadcast in Japan
Where?: Crunchyroll
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing for season 2 not yet confirmed

Jujutsu Kaisen, season 3

Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most successful adaptations Studio Mappa has ever taken on. If you consume any anime in your free time, you can’t have missed the JJK trend of the last few years.

Jujutsu Kaisen is a pretty dark Shōnen. It centers around the protagonist, Yuji Itadori, who swallows a finger after a series of unusual events – becoming host to a powerful curse.

From then on, Yuji is possessed by the powerful sorcerer Sukuna, who he repeatedly has to battle for control of his body. To improve his chances, he attends a secret jujutsu school. He wants to become stronger to find more of Sukuna’s fingers. Unfortunately for him, other people with bad intentions are also interested in obtaining Sukuna’s powers for themselves – never mind that he himself isn’t exactly a friendly guy.

After the eventful second season, the Culling Game arc finally continues.

Release date: 8 January, then every week on the same day it’s broadcast in Japan
Where?: Crunchyroll
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing to follow

Trigun Stargaze

Trigun Stargaze is the direct successor to the Trigun Stampede anime from 2023. This is Studio Orange’s reinterpretation of the Trigun manga by Yasuhiro Nightow.

Vash the Stampede is a pacifist with a huge bounty on his head. A reporter finds out that his evil twin brother Millions Knives is behind it. While Vash sets off on his journey to find his brother, he has to face bounty hunters who want to collect the reward themselves.

Stargaze picks up two and a half years after Stampede, when the brothers finally come face to face. It’s up to Vash to stop his brother from destroying humanity.

Release date: 10 January, then every week on the same day it’s broadcast in Japan
Where?: Crunchyroll
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing not yet confirmed

Hell’s Paradise, season 2

Hell’s Paradise takes the most beautiful imagery of nature and temples, and turns it into a living nightmare. When newly married ninja Gabimaru wants to give up his job as an assassin for a peaceful existence with his wife, he’s betrayed and sentenced to death. The executioner takes advantage of his love for his wife and offers him a deal: if Gabimaru finds the Elixir of Life on the island of Shinsenkyo and procures it for the shogun, he’ll be pardoned.

The catch? Many other convicted criminals have received the same offer and are competing for the find. What’s more, while Shinsenkyo seems like paradise at first glance, this is nothing but an illusion. This beautiful island turns out to be hell on earth.

To achieve his goal, Gabimaru forms alliances, makes friends and learns new skills to become stronger – all while the monsters on Shinsenkyo are after his life.

The adaptation of the completed manga is being animated by well-known studio Mappa, which has produced hits such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man in recent years.

Release date: 11 January, then every week on the same day it’s broadcast in Japan
Where?: Crunchyroll
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing to follow

You and I Are Polar Opposites

This romantic comedy is based on the manga series of the same name by Kocha Agasawa. This high-school love story is very short, and was completed in a total of eight volumes in 2024.

Miyu Suzuki has a crush on her classmate Yusuke Tani. She’s loud and cheerful, and follows the crowd – the complete opposite of him. He, on the other hand, is introverted and usually prefers to keep to himself – except when he’s openly sharing his opinions.

Will Suzuki manage to communicate her true feelings to Tani, or will the two opposites not attract after all? The trailer for the anime promises a cute love story full of innocent humour.

Release date: 11 January, then every week on the same day it’s broadcast in Japan
Where?: Crunchyroll
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing to follow

Oshi no Ko, season 3

The premise of Oshi no Ko is a little complicated, but stick with me. Gynaecologist Goro Amemiya becomes a fan of idol Ai Hoshino through his former patient Sarina. When Ai turns up pregnant with twins after a career break, he takes charge of the birth – or at least intends to. Before he can help, he’s murdered by one of the idol’s stalkers.

As fate would have it, however, Goro comes back to life. Together with his former deceased patient Sarina, he’s been reborn as one of the two twins he was supposed to help deliver.

Goro – now known as Aqua – therefore vows to bring his patient’s/mother’s stalker to justice. At the same time, Sarina – now known as Ruby – is pursuing her dream of becoming an idol herself.

Oshi no Ko isn’t afraid to deal with serious topics and show the dark side of the entertainment industry. The manga version of the anime by Studio Doga Kobo was completed last year.

Release date: 14 January, then every week on the same day it’s broadcast in Japan
Where?: Crunchyroll (seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix)
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing to follow

Love Through a Prism

Spring holds the promise of romance with Love Through a Prism. This brand-new anime was penned by Yoko Kamio, the creator of cult romcom manga Boys Over Flowers. This original series was created in collaboration with Wit Studio (Attack on Titan seasons 1 to 3, Spy x Family).

It centers around Japanese exchange student Lili Ichijoin, who attends an art academy in England in the early 20th century. To keep her place at the prestigious school, she has to achieve top grades and be the best in of her class. If she doesn’t manage this, she’ll have to return home to Japan.

Since school is a place to fall in love in anime, a potential crush is a must. Here’s where Kit Church, a fellow student from an aristocratic background, comes onto the scene. Lili wants to challenge his position at the top of the class. At first, he appears apathetic and detached from his fellow human beings – until Lili’s straightforward and rebellious nature loosens the young man up.

Release date: 15 January, release frequency unknown
Where?: Netflix
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing

Frieren – Beyond Journey’s End, season 2

Frieren is one of the most popular fantasy anime of recent years. Elven mage Frieren was part of a group of adventurers who saved the world from the evil Demon King. After that, the four members went their separate ways, until they’re reunited 50 years later. Only then does Frieren realise how much her former comrades-in-arms have aged.

When her closest companion dies a short while later, Frieren sets off on a journey of her own. The destination is a place where she can talk to the souls of the dead. She’s accompanied by the apprentices of her former comrades and, for the first time, Frieren resolves to learn more about her fellow human beings.

Watching the elven mage in Frieren feels a bit like watching the elves in The Lord of the Rings. It’s fascinating to see how an immortal being responds to human concerns like transience. But that’s not to say Frieren lacks epic fantasy action. Quite the opposite, in fact. The well-animated scenes make it really pop.

The second season picks up where the first left off. After a member of Frieren’s new troop passes the mage test, they can finally travel to the dangerous north with the necessary documents.

Release date: 16 January, then every week on the same day it’s broadcast in Japan
Where?: Crunchyroll
Language: Japanese original language with subtitles, German dubbing to follow

The Darwin Incident

The Darwin Incident is a particularly exciting new addition. It’s an adaptation of the social thriller manga of the same name by Shun Umezawa, which has already bagged several awards.

The main character is Humanzee Charlie, who’s half-human and half-chimpanzee. When he’s rescued from a lab by radical animal rights activists, a chimpanzee researcher and his wife take him in. So for 15 years, Charlie grows up almost like a human and is home-schooled. His parents then send him to a public school where he’s supposed to learn more about his fellow human beings.

Of course, Humanzee Charlie immediately stands out there. When his classmates aren’t mocking him, they’re afraid of him – with one exception: a girl called Lucy. As if that wasn’t enough for Charlie, a group of militant activists try to get him on their side.

The Darwin Incident deals with highly topical issues such as veganism, animal welfare and activism. Hopefully this adaptation will be as award-winning as the manga it’s based on. I can’t wait.

Release date: January 2026
Where?: Prime Video
Language: tba

Cassie Mammone

Freelance Editor

cassie.mammone.freelance@gmail.com

I wrote my first text about video games when I was eight years old. I haven't been able to stop since. The rest of my time is spent on my love for 2D husbandos, monsters, my cats and sport.

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