by The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 has topped a Fall 2026 anime anticipation poll, earning more than twice as many votes as the runner-up. Magic Knight Rayearth takes second place, while Ice Castle Season 2 finishes third in Magmix’s reader survey.
The Fall 2026 anime season has brought a diverse lineup of returning favorites, long-awaited adaptations, and new stories. But which series were fans most eager to watch before the new season even began?
A reader survey conducted by Japanese entertainment news outlet Magmix offers an answer. The poll, titled “Which Fall 2026 Anime Are You Looking Forward To?”, collected 168 votes before the season’s broadcasts began.
The results placed The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 firmly in first place with 24 votes. Magic Knight Rayearth, a new anime adaptation of the classic fantasy manga, followed with 10 votes, while Ice Castle Season 2 secured third place with nine votes.
Although the survey was relatively small, the results highlight three different sources of anime anticipation: the popularity of an established hit, nostalgia for a beloved classic, and enthusiasm for a story that viewers enjoyed in its previous season.
Now that the Fall 2026 season is underway, these results also provide an interesting snapshot of what fans hoped to watch before the first episodes aired.
3: Ice Castle Season 2
Taking third place with nine votes is Ice Castle Season 2, a continuation of the youth drama about high school students who struggle with emotional distance, friendship, and romantic feelings.
The story follows Koyuki Hikawa, a high school student who finds it difficult to interact with other people. She tends to keep her distance from those around her and spends much of her time with her childhood friend, Miki Azumi.
Her quiet routine begins to change when Minato Amamiya, a boy with a much more outgoing personality, enters her life and tries to get closer to her.
As the characters spend more time together, their relationships become increasingly complicated. Some begin to express feelings they have kept hidden, while others struggle to understand their own emotions. These misunderstandings create the kind of awkward but relatable situations that define the series.
Why Were Fans Looking Forward to Season 2?
The survey responses suggest that viewers who enjoyed the first season were eager to see how the story would develop.
Some respondents praised the series’ engaging storyline and pacing, while others simply explained that they had enjoyed Season 1 and wanted to continue watching.
One voter commented that the story had a good tempo, while another said that the previous season had been interesting.
These comments point to one of the main strengths of a continuing series: viewers already have an emotional connection to the characters. They do not need to learn the entire setting from the beginning and can instead focus on how the characters grow and how their relationships change.
For a character-driven drama such as Ice Castle, that emotional investment can be especially important.
What Makes Ice Castle Different From Other School Anime?
Many school anime focus on straightforward romance or comedy. Ice Castle takes a more introspective approach by exploring the difficulties people face when trying to communicate their feelings.
Koyuki’s tendency to build emotional walls is central to the story. Her behavior reflects a familiar experience: wanting to connect with others while also fearing the uncertainty that comes with opening up.
Minato’s contrasting personality creates opportunities for both humor and tension, while the other characters add further layers to the relationships.
This emphasis on emotional development helps explain why viewers who enjoyed the first season were interested in returning for Season 2.
Although nine votes placed the series third in this particular survey, that result should not be interpreted as a complete measure of its popularity. It represents the preferences of the readers who participated in Magmix’s poll.
2: Magic Knight Rayearth
Magic Knight Rayearth secured second place with 10 votes, demonstrating the continued appeal of a classic fantasy series.
Created by the manga artist group CLAMP, the story follows three schoolgirls—Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji—who are transported to a mysterious world called Cephiro during a school trip to Tokyo Tower.
In this unfamiliar world, the girls learn that Princess Emeraude, whose prayers help maintain Cephiro’s peace and order, has been taken captive. The kingdom is facing a serious crisis, and the three newcomers are summoned to become the legendary Magic Knights.
Their mission sends them on an adventure involving magical powers, dangerous enemies, fantastical creatures, and giant robots.
The combination of fantasy, friendship, action, and mecha elements gives Magic Knight Rayearth a distinctive identity.
Why Is the New Magic Knight Rayearth Anime Generating Interest?
Unlike a straightforward sequel, the new adaptation offers longtime fans an opportunity to revisit a story that holds a special place in anime and manga history.
Several survey respondents explained that they were interested because they had liked the original work in the past. Others mentioned their love of robot anime, while some wanted to compare the new version with the older adaptation.
These reactions reveal three different reasons for the show’s second-place finish.
First, longtime fans may want to see how the familiar characters and story are presented with modern animation techniques.
Second, the series’ combination of fantasy and giant robots gives it an appeal beyond traditional magical-girl anime.
Third, viewers who remember the earlier adaptation may be curious about what the new version preserves, changes, or emphasizes.
What Is Special About Magic Knight Rayearth?
Magic Knight Rayearth stands out because it combines several genres that are not always brought together in the same way.
The protagonists begin as ordinary schoolgirls, but they must quickly adapt to an unfamiliar world and take on responsibilities far greater than they expected.
The fantasy setting provides opportunities for magical adventures, while the mecha elements introduce large-scale battles and mechanical designs.
At the center of the story is the friendship between Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu. Although the three girls have different personalities, they must learn to cooperate if they are to survive their adventure and fulfill their mission.
For new viewers, the series offers an accessible fantasy adventure with a strong focus on friendship. For returning fans, the new adaptation provides an opportunity to rediscover the story and compare it with the version they remember.
Its second-place position suggests that a well-known classic can still attract considerable attention when a new adaptation brings it back into the spotlight.
1: The Apothecary Diaries Season 3
Taking first place is The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, which received 24 votes—14 more than Magic Knight Rayearth.
The result places the series comfortably ahead of the other two titles in Magmix’s poll. Respondents expressed enthusiasm for the continuation, praised the anime’s presentation, and mentioned their familiarity with the original novels.
One voter simply said that they were looking forward to it. Another expressed confidence that the series would deliver an enjoyable experience.
Other comments praised the quality of the visuals and the way each episode draws viewers into the story. Readers who had already read the original novels were also eager to see the next part of the story adapted for television.
What Is The Apothecary Diaries About?
The Apothecary Diaries is a historical mystery series centered on Maomao, a young woman with extensive knowledge of medicines, herbs, poisons, and medical treatments.
After being taken to the imperial palace, Maomao becomes involved in the lives of the people who reside there. Her medical knowledge and sharp powers of observation help her investigate mysterious illnesses, suspicious incidents, and complicated problems within the palace.
She eventually attracts the attention of Jinshi, a high-ranking palace official whose appearance and influence often conceal more complicated circumstances.
Although Maomao prefers to focus on medicine and solving puzzles, she repeatedly finds herself drawn into situations involving politics, personal secrets, and the lives of the imperial court.
The series combines mystery-solving with historical fantasy, social intrigue, character comedy, and an evolving relationship between Maomao and Jinshi.
Why Did The Apothecary Diaries Win by Such a Large Margin?
The survey comments suggest that viewers were confident in the series’ ability to deliver another compelling season.
One reason may be the strength of its central mystery format. Individual episodes frequently introduce a problem that Maomao must investigate, allowing viewers to follow her reasoning and discover clues alongside her.
At the same time, the larger story develops gradually through the relationships between the characters and the political environment surrounding the imperial court.
The combination of standalone mysteries and longer narrative threads gives audiences multiple reasons to keep watching.
The visual presentation also received praise from respondents. The detailed palace settings, character expressions, costumes, and atmospheric backgrounds help establish a distinctive world.
Finally, readers of the original novels were eager to see how the next portion of the story would be adapted. Existing fans can look forward to seeing familiar scenes brought to life, while anime-only viewers can continue discovering the story through its animated version.
What Is New in The Apothecary Diaries Season 3?
Season 3 began broadcasting in Japan on October 2, 2026.
The new season expands the story beyond the familiar environment of the imperial rear palace, bringing Maomao and Jinshi into new circumstances and introducing further mysteries.
The official series description also points toward the challenges surrounding a possible disaster, a mysterious shrine maiden, and Jinshi’s responsibilities connected to his position as an imperial prince.
These developments promise to broaden the political and geographical scope of the story while retaining the investigation-driven storytelling that made the earlier seasons popular.
The franchise also has a major theatrical project planned: its first feature film, scheduled for release in Japan on December 11, 2026. The film features an original story concept from author Natsu Hyuuga and introduces a new mystery involving a dead woman and a hidden treasure in a waterside city.
The upcoming movie provides another reason for fans to follow the series, although its theatrical release is separate from the television season.
The combination of an ongoing television story and a planned film makes 2026 an important year for the franchise.
What Do These Results Tell Us About Fall 2026 Anime?
The top three results highlight three different ways an anime can generate excitement before its premiere.
- A Popular Series Can Build Strong Expectations
The Apothecary Diaries benefits from an established audience that already knows its characters, setting, and style of storytelling.
Viewers who enjoyed the previous seasons have reasons to expect more mysteries, character development, and political intrigue. Readers of the original novels also have a personal interest in seeing how the next part of the story is adapted.
- Nostalgia Can Bring a Classic Back Into the Spotlight
Magic Knight Rayearth demonstrates how a new adaptation can attract viewers who remember the original while also appealing to people discovering it for the first time.
Longtime fans may be interested in seeing how the story is reinterpreted, while fans of mecha and fantasy may be drawn to its unusual combination of genres.
- Successful First Seasons Encourage Viewers to Return
Ice Castle Season 2 represents the appeal of continuing a story that has already established an emotional connection with its audience.
When viewers care about the characters, they are more likely to want to follow their next challenges, relationships, and personal growth.
Together, these results show that anime anticipation is influenced by more than marketing alone. Familiar characters, a strong premise, previous viewing experiences, and curiosity about a new adaptation can all contribute to a show’s pre-broadcast appeal.
Pre-Broadcast Expectations vs. Actual Reception
The poll was conducted before the Fall 2026 anime season began, so it measures what respondents expected to watch rather than how they ultimately rated the episodes.
That distinction matters.
A viewer may choose an anime because they enjoyed its previous season, love the original manga, or want to revisit a classic. After watching several episodes, however, their opinion may change based on pacing, animation, character development, or how closely the adaptation matches their expectations.
Conversely, a series that attracted relatively few votes before its premiere may win new fans through word of mouth and strong early episodes.
A separate post-premiere survey or review-based ranking would be needed to assess how audience reception changed after the shows began airing.
For that reason, the Magmix results are best understood as a snapshot of pre-season interest—not a definitive ranking of the best anime of Fall 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Fall 2026 anime ranked first in the pre-broadcast poll?
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 took first place with 24 votes.
How many votes did the top three anime receive?
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 received 24 votes, Magic Knight Rayearth received 10, and Ice Castle Season 2 received nine.
Which anime ranked second?
Magic Knight Rayearth ranked second with 10 votes. Its new adaptation attracted longtime fans and viewers interested in comparing it with the older version.
Why did The Apothecary Diaries rank first?
Survey respondents mentioned their enthusiasm for the continuation, confidence in the series, its visual quality, and their interest in seeing the original novels adapted.
When did The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 begin airing?
The third season began broadcasting in Japan on October 2, 2026.
Is The Apothecary Diaries getting a movie?
Yes. A feature film with an original story concept from author Natsu Hyuuga is scheduled to open in Japan on December 11, 2026.
Does this poll determine the most popular anime of Fall 2026?
No. It measures the preferences of 168 respondents in a specific pre-broadcast survey. It does not represent all anime viewers or measure actual viewership.
The Fall 2026 anime anticipation poll produced a clear winner: The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 secured first place with 24 votes, considerably ahead of the other entries.
Magic Knight Rayearth followed in second place, reflecting the continued appeal of a beloved classic, while Ice Castle Season 2 completed the top three with support from viewers eager to continue its character-driven story.
Each series offers a different viewing experience. Fans of mysteries and palace intrigue may be drawn to Maomao’s investigations, fantasy and mecha enthusiasts may enjoy the world of Magic Knight Rayearth, and viewers who prefer emotional school dramas may find Ice Castle appealing.
Although the poll does not determine which series will ultimately prove the most successful, it offers a useful glimpse into what some fans were most excited to watch before the season began.
Which Fall 2026 anime was at the top of your watchlist? Whether you prefer mysteries, classic fantasy adventures, or stories about complicated relationships, this season offers plenty of options worth exploring.
