AnimeJapan 2026: The Ultimate Look Back at the Biggest Anime News

AnimeJapan is one of the biggest anime conventions in Japan. Not only are there exhibitions, merch, and special anime business collaborations, but otakus can always expect major stage appearances, performances, and most importantly, announcements from the biggest names in the anime industry. 

This year, AnimeJapan dropped a whirlwind of exciting new announcements in the span of a single weekend. Not only did we get word about upcoming brand-new anime shows and continuing series, but we also got key visuals, cast additions, premiere dates, and a slew of exciting new trailers. 

Missed out on AnimeJapan 2026? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We went down to Tokyo Big Sight back on March 28 and 29 to get the latest scoop on all the biggest anime news. So get ready for the highlights of AnimeJapan 2026! 

New Anime Adaptations And Upcoming Continuations 

Not only do anime fans have a whole new batch of shows to check out this year, but it looks like otakus can expect new seasons for beloved series like Sentenced to Be Hero, I Got A Cheat Skill in Anotherworld, and Became Unrivaled in The Real World. Check the list below to see if your fave anime is getting a new batch of episodes. 

Blue Box Season 2 

Mixing together sports and romance, Blue Box follows the story of badminton player Taiki and basketball star Chinatsu as they gradually grow closer to one another. The show is getting a second season on Netflix starting this October with the appearance of a brand new character.

Shiboyugi: Paying Death Games to Put Food on the Table Anime Series

Japanese light novel series Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table just recently got an anime adaptation airing from January to March 2026. Now, the series is getting an anime movie sequel titled 44: Cloudy Beach, set to premiere on July 10. 

Dandelion 

Dandelion is a brand new Netflix anime series based on the work of Hideaki Sorachi, the creator of Gintama. Set to premiere on April 16, the series tells the funny story of hardworking corporate angels searching for restless spirits unable to pass on. 

Sparks of Tomorrow 

Kyoto Animation fans should look out for Sparks of Tomorrow, a fantastical adventure anime series that follows young protagonists dreaming of an age of electricity in a dark world covered in smoke. Set to premiere on July 5 on Netflix, Kyoto Animation dropped the show's main trailer and key visual during AnimeJapan 2026. 

Hono No Tokyujo: Dodge Danko 

This brand new anime follows the story of the daughter of the protagonist of Testuhiro Koshita's 1989 manga series, Hono no Tokyujo: Dodge Danpie. The trailer for the show was released at AnimeJapan this year. You can watch it above. 

Sentenced to Be as Hero Season 2 

Good news, Sentenced to Be A Hero fans! It looks like the second season of your fave anime is finally in production. Not only did the team drop an ultra visual teaser, but there’s also an announcement trailer to gush over. 

I Got A Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in the Real World Too Season 2 

Popular isekai anime series I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in the Real World is all about Yuya Tenjo, a bullied, obese boy who discovers a portal to a fantasy world. The anime adaptation is getting a second season in production. You can check the key visual world above. 

You and I are Polar Opposites Season 2 

Romantic comedy series You and I are Polar Opposites has been one of the most popular anime shows for Crunchyroll in the Winter 2026 season. Now, it looks like season 2 is being announced for July 2026, an unbelievably quick turnaround time for a hit anime show. 

Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai Anime Part 2 

Backi-Dou is a Netflix shonen anime series based on Keisuke Itagaki's manga "Baki-Dou." It picks up after Baki's legendary father-son battle against Yujiro Hanma and introduces a new threat to the story: Musashi Miyamoto. Now, it looks like part 2 of "Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai" is on its way with new teaser art and a new trailer. 

NEW TRAILERS AND FRESH FOOTAGE 

 Besides the new anime and season 2 announcements, AnimeJapan 2026 also dropped some fresh new looks at highly anticipated shows for this year. Check them out here: 

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian Season 2 Anime Teaser Trailer Revealed

Romantic comedy series Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian is getting its second season in 2027. It might be a long wait, but thankfully, fans got a brand new teaser trailer, a main visual, and character visuals for the upcoming batch of episodes at AnimeJapan 2026.

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL Anime Gets Second Trailer 

Ghost in the Shell is a classic anime franchise that's getting an updated anime series by Production IG this July 2026. The  team dropped a second anime trailer for the show in this year's AnimeJapan. You can check it out above. 

Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Gets New Trailer 

Fantasy isekai series Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke is making its way back to Crunchyroll on April 4. AnimeJapan dropped a brand new trailer featuring the opening theme song "Pages" by Little Glee Monster and ending song "Ima Mo, Arigatou," by Erika Ikuta. 

Tetsuryo! Meet with Tetsudou Musume Finally Gets Trailer With Release Date

The upcoming slice-of-life anime Tetsuryo! Meet with Tetsudou Musume anime released a brand new trailer and key visual at its stage event at AnimeJapan 2026. The new trailer confirms the anime is scheduled to premiere in fall 2026.

Mushoko Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Premiere Date With Trailer 

Mushoko Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation made its way to the Green Stage of AnimeJapan 2026 with lots of exciting news. Not only did the production finally announce a July 5 premiere date for the third season of the series, but they also dropped a trailer. 

Smoking Behind the Supermarket Gets New Trailer 

Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You is debuting this July. Not only did the production team drop key visuals and new info at AnimeJapan 2026, but they also produced a brand new trailer for fans to watch. Check it out above.  

Tenko-saki no Seiso Karen na Bishojo ga, Mukashi Danshi to Omotte Issho ni Asonda Osananajimi Datta Ken Gets Trailer 

The adaptation of the light novel series Tenko-saki no Seiso Karen na Bishojo ga, Mukashi Danshi to Omotte Issho ni Asonda Osananajimi Datta Ken had a booth event at AnimeJapan 2026. The series debuted a never-before-seen trailer to hype fans up for the show's July 2026 broadcast. 

Reincarnated as a Sword Season 2 Gets Trailer

Isekai anime series Reincarnated as a Sword had a stage event at the NBC Universal Entertainment Japan booth at this year's AnimeJapan. The event revealed a brand new trailer for the upcoming second season of the show, confirming its October 2026 return. 

Magic Knight Rayearth Gets New Anime With Brand New Trailer

A classic Clamp series from the 90s, Magic Knight Rayearth, is making its return with a brand new anime series. Primed for an October 2026 release, the production announced three main cast members at AnimeJapan 2026 and dropped a brand new trailer. 

STEEL BALL RUN JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Anime Teases 2nd STAGE in New Trailer

The adaptation of the seventh arc of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure just got its first teaser trailer. Watch the new video for the second stage of STEEL BALL RUN Jojo's Bizarre Adventure in the video above. The next batch of episodes for the show is dropping sometime in 2026. 

One Piece Elbaph Arc Gets New Trailer 

The legendary shonen anime One Piece is finally at the Elbaph arc and there's a new trailer previewing the opening theme song for the latest batch of episode. The new theme song is "Luminous" performed by AiNA THE END, a musician who previously sang the opening for the second season of DAN DA DAN. 

Re:Zero - Start Life in Another World Season 4 Anime Gets Opening Video

The fourth season of Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World is premiering on April 8. Before the big debut, the pdouction decided to reveal the opening sequence for the anime at AnimeJapan 2026. Check it out above. 

Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend Anime Film 

The Rascal Does Not Dream franchise is getting an anime film and it looks like it's dropping on October 16, 2026. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend is the fourth in the popular Rascal Does Not Dream franchise. Check out the new teaser trailer for the film released at AnimeJapan 2026. 

Go For It, Nakamura-Kun!! Gets Opening Video 

Upcoming boy's love series Go For It, Nakamura-Kun!! held a stage event at AnimeJapan this year, unveiling the anime's opening sequence "Shunpatsuteki ni Koi Shiyo" by Yasuyuki Okamura and Kento Nakajima. Check out the opening in the video above. 

Tokyo Revengers War of the Three Titans Arc Gets New Trailer

Tokyo Revengers fans are in for a treat. The Tokyo Revengers stage event at AnimeJapan 2026 revealed a new trailer for the final chapter of the anime titled "Tokyo Revengers: War of the Three Titans Arc." The final chapter is premiering sometime in October 2026. 

Inherit the Winds Anime Gets New Trailer With Broadcast Announcement

Loosely based on a series of plays, Inherit the Winds is an upcoming TV anime series by Aniplex. It's set in 1863 amidst the turmoil of the Bakumatsu era, focusing on the amnesiac soldier Jinsuke Tachikawa as he becomes a member of the organization that later on evolves into the Shinsengumi. 

Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 Gets New Trailer and Visual

Nine years after the anime's release in 2017, Saga of Tanya the Evil is making its way back to TV with a second season of episodes. Get ready for the return of the cold-hearted and ruthless Tanya Degurechaff in July 2026. 

From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman Season 2 New Trailer Released

Based on a light novel series, From Old Country Bumpkin is all about a middle aged swordsman who gets invited to be a special instructor for the Knights Order. Watch the season 2 trailer and see how Beryl gets more challenges in the upcoming batches of episodes. 

Kaiju Girl Caramelise Anime Adaptation Finally Gets Trailer 

The surprisingly seinen romantic comedy science fiction manga Kaiju Girl Caramelis is finally getting an anime adaptation. Get hyped for the series by checking out the new trailer dropped at AnimeJapan this year! The series is coming out July 2026. 

Hanaori-San Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life Trailer Dropped 

The popular manga series Hanaori-San Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life is finally getting an anime series of its own. Pony Canyon released a trailer for the upcoming reverse isekai series at AnimeJapan 2026. Check it out here! 

The Final-Boss Prince Is Somehow Obsessed with the Chubby Villainess: Reincarnated Me Anime Teaser

After dying, the protagonist of the series gets reincarnated into the villainess of the novel, Goddess of Love. Even though she's fated to have a horrible ending, Celine does all she can to change her attitude and edns up catching the attention of the final boss character. Watch the new teaser above! 

Premiere For The Eminence In Shadow: Lost Echoes Anime Revealed in New Teaser

The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes anime film is going to continue the anime based on the light novel series by Daisuke Aizawa. Now, fans finally have the confirmation of a 2027 release thanks to the show's new teaser at AnimeJapan 2026. 

Heroine? Saint? No, I'm an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)! Gets 2026 Premiere

A fantasy, isekai manga series, Heroine? Saint? No, I'm an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)! is all about Melody who prioritizes becoming a top tier maid instead of the game's powerful, oblivious saint. Thanks to its new teaser trailer at AnimeJapan 2026, fans finally confirmed a July 2026 premiere for the anime. 

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance Anime Trailer Reveals Premiere Date

The latest entry in the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha anime franchise is making its way to the small screen this July. Watch the newest trailer for Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance in the video above.  

Farming Life in Another World Season 2 Gets Final Trailer 

Farming Life in Another World is a well-loved fantasy, slice-of-life isekai anime that's all about the slow life on the farm. Get ready to return to rural living with season 2 this April. Watch the trailer above. 

OTHER MAJOR NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you’re planning to attend the next AnimeJapan, then you’d better be ready to travel further because the convention is making its way to Osaka for 2027 and 2028. For the first time ever, AnimeJapan is moving outside of Tokyo, heading to Intext Osaka, the third largest event space in Japan after Tokyo Big Sight and Chiba's Makuhari Messe. 

There you have it! These are all the major announcements at this year’s AnimeJapan. Which show are you looking forward to the most? Are you excited to see Netflix’s newest action comedy, Dandelion? Maybe you’re waiting for the third season of Mushoko Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation? 

Which ever show you’re looking forward to the most, we’d love to hear about it. We’re all otakus here, and we love gushing about our favorite anime. Head to the comment section and let us know what’s the best announcement at AnimeJapan 2026 for you so we can geek about it together!