by What is the number one spot that was only five votes behind “Frieren”?
The broadcast of the Winter 2026 anime season is fast approaching. With a lineup of exciting shows to watch, including sequels to blockbuster hits and anime adaptations of popular manga, what are the most anticipated Winter 2026 anime?
Magmix conducted a reader survey from December 17th to 26th, 2025, asking, “Which Winter 2026 anime are you most looking forward to?” Let’s take a look at the top three, determined by a total of 426 votes.
3rd Place “Jujutsu Kaisen: Shimetsu Kaiyu Part 1” (27 votes) Coming in third place is “Jujutsu Kaisen: Shimetsu Kaiyu Part 1.” The story follows high school student Itadori Yuji, who, after eating the finger of Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, becomes involved in the battle between sorcerers who exorcise curses in a world overrun with curses and cursed spirits born from human negative emotions.
The Shibuya Incident arc, which aired in September 2023, saw the deaths of many people, leaving many fans heartbroken. However, the Death Return arc, which will air in winter, is expected to feature new characters, including Zen’in Naoya and Hasan Kinji. Early screenings at cinemas have received rave reviews from viewers, so it’s sure to be one of the most anticipated films of the winter. [Respondents’ Comments] I saw the movie, so I can’t wait to see the next episode. I’m an anime watcher who doesn’t read the original work, so I can’t die until I’ve seen the final episode.
The last episode was interesting, so I’m looking forward to the next episode. 2nd Place “Funeral of Freiren Season 2” (72 votes) Coming in second place was “Funeral of Freiren Season 2.” This work tells the story of Freiren, a long-lived magician who is part of the hero Himmel’s party, who defeated the Demon King. After the hero’s death, she embarks on a new journey to “get to know people.”
The first season aired over two consecutive seasons, and Fern passed the “First Class Magician Selection Exam” and set off on her next destination. While faithful to the original work, the first season was well-received for its beautiful depictions of magic and additional scenes.
The highly anticipated second season is sure to be a hot topic. [Respondents’ Comments] I’m looking forward to Himmel’s story and the others’. The first season was well-made, so I’m looking forward to the second season. I’ve been waiting for this! I’m looking forward to seeing how the magic works. 1st Place “Tamon-kun, Which Way Now!?” (77 votes) The honorable first place goes to “Tamon-kun, Which Way Now!?” This work is based on the shoujo manga of the same name, which has sold over 1.75 million copies.
The story is about a high school girl who supports Fukuhara Tamon, a member of the hugely popular idol group “F/ACE,” and ends up encountering Tamon himself while working as a housekeeper. Tamon is charming and wildly sexy on TV, but in her private life, she is a shy person with extremely low self-esteem.
The story is a perfect fit for the current era in which “oshikatsu” (supporting someone’s favorite idol) is widespread, and attention is focused on how Tamon’s gap will be portrayed. [Respondents’ Comments] Wait, Tamon is going to move, dance, and talk? I can’t wait!
The animation is beautiful, and the tempo is excellent too. I can’t wait to see everyone’s behind-the-scenes with their voices! I’m looking forward to the main character being strong and someone you’ll want to root for.
Which title will start the new year? With so many popular titles, I can’t wait to see which one will dominate this season. Driven by passionate fan support, each title will deliver a fantastic visual experience. This survey was conducted as part of a survey of anime, manga, and game fans. It is not intended to judge any particular work as superior or inferior. We hope that this survey helps readers discover new works.
