Anime in 2026 isn’t just about big sequels and franchise hype. Beneath the surface of mainstream releases, a powerful wave of original stories, bold remakes, and visually daring adaptations is quietly building momentum.
If you love discovering anime before it becomes mainstream, this list is your early advantage. From high-budget sci-fi spectacles to philosophical masterpieces that deserve a second life, here are the most underrated and highly anticipated anime you should absolutely watch in 2026.
Moonrise (2026)
When Wit Studio produces an original sci-fi anime, expectations automatically skyrocket, and Moonrise is doing exactly that.
Directed by Masashi Koizuka (Attack on Titan Season 2 and 3) and based on a story by novelist Tow Ubukata (Psycho-Pass 2, Ghost in the Shell Arise), Moonrise is set in a future where Earth and the Moon are locked in escalating political tension. What begins as a geopolitical conflict quickly turns into an emotional, character-driven war narrative. This isn’t just about space battles. It’s about ideology, revenge, loss, and the cost of technological advancement.
What truly makes Moonrise stand out in 2026 is its breathtaking production quality from Wit Studio, its serious and mature sci-fi atmosphere, and the way it weaves deeply emotional storytelling into grand-scale space warfare, making it a potential modern classic for fans of Legend of the Galactic Heroes or Gundam.
Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Spring 2026)
From Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist, comes another action-fantasy epic.
Originally a manga titled Yomi no Tsugai, this story blends supernatural mythology with grounded emotional drama. The plot follows twins connected to mysterious guardian beings known as daemons, whose existence influences hidden power struggles within their world.
Arakawa’s storytelling strength lies in moral complexity, layered characters, and world-building that feels lived-in rather than decorative. If the anime adaptation maintains that tone, it could be one of 2026’s most meaningful fantasy releases.
Created by one of the most respected manga authors of the 21st century, built on a strong mythological foundation, and driven by emotion rather than empty spectacle, this story may not explode into headlines overnight, but it carries the depth and staying power that leave a lasting impact.
You and I Are Polar Opposites (January 2026)
Romantic comedies in anime often rely on exaggerated tropes. You and I Are Polar Opposites takes a different path.
Adapted from the manga Seihantai na Kimi to Boku, this series focuses on two teenagers with drastically different personalities navigating everyday high school life and first love.
Instead of dramatic misunderstandings or over-the-top chaos, it thrives on realistic communication, subtle emotional growth, and gentle humour rooted in personality differences.
It’s light, refreshing, and deeply relatable, something modern romance anime needs more of. For viewers tired of repetitive rom-com formulas, this could quietly become a comfort favourite.
Witch Hat Atelier (2026)
Few fantasy manga are praised as consistently as Witch Hat Atelier.
Created by Kamome Shirahama, the story follows Coco, a young girl who dreams of becoming a witch in a world where magic is forbidden to ordinary people. When she accidentally performs forbidden magic, her journey into a beautifully illustrated magical society begins.
This adaptation is highly anticipated for its intricate, almost storybook-like artwork, a structured magic system built on drawing magical glyphs, and its exploration of themes like knowledge, privilege, and responsibility, and if animated faithfully, it could rival the visual elegance of Made in Abyss or The Ancient Magus’ Bride. This is not loud fantasy. It’s thoughtful, immersive, and emotionally rich.
The Darwin Incident (2026)
Perhaps one of the most intellectually provocative upcoming adaptations.
Based on Shun Umezawa’s award-winning manga, The Darwin Incident centres on Charlie, a human-chimpanzee hybrid raised by human parents. His existence becomes a flashpoint in debates about animal rights, terrorism, media sensationalism, and bioethics.
The story does not shy away from uncomfortable questions about what defines humanity, where ethics end, and activism begins, and whether coexistence can survive extremism, blending thriller elements with philosophical reflection in a way rarely handled with nuance in mainstream anime, making it a must-watch for viewers who enjoyed Monster or Psycho-Pass.
Hana-Kimi (January 2026 Remake)
Classic shoujo romance returns with a modern refresh. Created by Hisaya Nakajo, Hana-Kimi tells the story of a girl who disguises herself as a boy to attend an all-boys school and support her favourite high-jump athlete.
While the premise is familiar, the remake has the potential to update humour for contemporary audiences, refine character depth, and enhance emotional arcs with modern animation quality, allowing nostalgia combined with updated storytelling to introduce this beloved romantic comedy to a whole new generation.
Sentenced to Be a Hero (2026)
Dark fantasy continues evolving in anime, and Sentenced to Be a Hero promises a refreshing twist.
Instead of a chosen hero destined for glory, the protagonist is condemned to become one as punishment. The story challenges traditional 'hero' narratives by asking whether heroism is truly noble when forced upon someone.
Expect a morally grey protagonist, intense political tension, and layered psychological undertones, and if executed well, it could stand alongside darker fantasy titles like Re: Zero or The Rising of the Shield Hero.
Underrated Anime You Should Revisit Before 2026
Sunny Boy
Directed by Shingo Natsume, Sunny Boy is a surreal coming-of-age story about students drifting into alternate dimensions, blending minimalistic animation with philosophical dialogue in an abstract, sometimes confusing yet deeply rewarding narrative that explores themes of identity, isolation, and existential freedom, and remains one of the boldest experimental anime of the 2020s.
Paranoia Agent
Created by Satoshi Kon, this psychological thriller explores mass hysteria and societal anxiety through a mysterious assailant known as “Lil’ Slugger,” and even decades after its release, its sharp commentary on escapism, media influence, and urban stress remains painfully relevant, making it not just anime but social analysis disguised as psychological horror.
Tekkonkinkreet
This visually distinctive animated film, directed by Michael Arias and produced by Studio 4°C, follows two orphaned boys protecting their city from corruption, blending urban grit with dreamlike exaggeration to create one of the most unique visual experiences in anime cinema, and despite being emotionally raw and visually daring, it remains criminally underrated.
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