The Spring 2026 anime season is poised to be one of the most significant in recent memory, packed with the return of beloved franchises and the debut of highly anticipated adaptations from acclaimed creators. From legendary revivals to the next chapters in epic sagas, the upcoming slate offers a diverse array of stories for every type of fan. With streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Prime Video hosting the premieres, the global audience is set for a thrilling season of new adventures and long-awaited continuations.
Returning Powerhouses and Long-Awaited Sequels
This season is notably dominated by the return of several anime titans, promising to deliver on years of built-up narrative momentum and fan expectations.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Continues Its Dominion
The fourth season of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime premieres on April 4th on Crunchyroll. The series resumes as Rimuru Tempest’s dream of forging an alliance between humans and monsters edges closer to reality. This new chapter is expected to delve deeper into the political and power dynamics of the world, setting the stage for the upcoming feature film, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Sky-Blue Sea, which is scheduled for release in Brazilian theaters later in the season.
Dr. STONE Reaches for the Moon in Its Final Season
The science-driven adventure reaches its climax with the third part of DR. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE, premiering April 2nd on Crunchyroll. This final cour adapts the concluding chapters of the manga by Riichiro Inagaki and Boichi, depicting the Kingdom of Science’s ultimate plan to reach the moon and save petrified humanity. The stakes have never been higher for Senku and his allies as they embark on their most ambitious experiment yet.
Re:ZERO and Iruma-kun Dive into New Arcs
Subaru Natsuki returns for more grueling trials in the first part of Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-‘s fourth season, titled “The Loss Arc.” Premiering April 8th on Crunchyroll, the story follows Subaru as he traverses a deadly desert to find the Sage at the Pleiades Watchtower in a desperate bid to save his allies. The season introduces new key characters, including Shaula, voiced by Fairouz Ai, and the legendary swordsman Reid Astrea, voiced by Tomokazu Sugita.
Meanwhile, the demon school antics continue in Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun‘s fourth season on April 4th (Crunchyroll). The Misfit Class must perform to secure 4th place in the Babyls Demon School’s Music Festival. This season also brings Purson Soi, voiced by Setsuo Ito, into the spotlight as his hidden talent with the trumpet becomes central to the class’s efforts.
Major Franchises Make Triumphant Returns
After a six-year hiatus, the chaotic and visceral world of Dorohedoro returns for its second season on April 1st, streaming on both Crunchyroll and Netflix. Produced by MAPPA, the series continues Caiman’s quest with Nikaido to find the sorcerer who gave him a lizard head and stole his memories.
In a landmark shift, One Piece returns from a six-month hiatus on April 5th (Crunchyroll) and April 11th (Netflix) to begin the highly anticipated Elbaf Arc. The anime transitions to a seasonal format, with seasons of no more than 26 episodes per year, divided into two cours. This new structure promises a significantly improved adaptation pace, with each episode corresponding to a single manga chapter as Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates finally journey to the Land of the Giants.
High-Profile New Adaptations and Revivals
Beyond the sequels, the season is rich with new series from celebrated manga and the creative minds behind some of anime’s greatest hits.
Legends of the Medium Return
Rumiko Takahashi, the iconic creator of InuYasha and Ranma ½, brings her latest work to the screen with MAO. Premiering April 4th (platform to be determined), the series produced by Sunrise follows Nanoka, a girl who survived a tragic accident, as she discovers a portal to another world. There, she is saved by the omyouji Mao, and together they unravel mysteries connected to both realms and a cat-demon known as Byouki.
In a major event for classic anime fans, a new adaptation of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) premieres on April 10th on Prime Video. Announced for the manga’s 40th anniversary, this revival reintroduces Kenshiro’s post-apocalyptic journey of vengeance and justice to a new generation.
Acclaimed Manga Finally Receive Anime Treatments
One of the season’s most anticipated debuts is Witch Hat Atelier, the adaptation of Kamome Shirahama’s award-winning manga. After previous delays, the series produced by BUG FILMS premieres on April 6th on Crunchyroll. It follows Coco, a girl who dreams of becoming a witch in a world where magic is a birthright, until she discovers the witches’ great secret and becomes an apprentice to the enigmatic Qifrey.
Hiromu Arakawa, creator of Fullmetal Alchemist, sees another of her works adapted with Daemons of the Shadow Realm. Premiering April 4th on Crunchyroll and produced by Bones, the story centers on the separated twins Yuru and Asa, who can control supernatural entities called Tsugai and hold the power to change the world’s fate.
The psychological thriller Liar Game, based on Shinobu Kaitani’s manga, gets an anime adaptation by Madhouse, premiering April 6th on Crunchyroll. It follows the overly honest Nao Kanzaki as she is forced to participate in a deceptive tournament and forms an alliance with the swindler Shinichi Akiyama to survive its moral dilemmas.
Diverse Genre Offerings from Romance to Gourmet
The season also boasts a strong lineup across various genres, ensuring a wide appeal.
Romantic Comedies and Character-Driven Stories
The romantic comedy Parede de Gelo (Ice Wall), based on Kocha Agasawa’s award-winning shojo manga, premieres on April 2nd on Netflix. Produced by Studio KAI, it follows the peculiar intertwined student lives of four young people after Minato Amamiya attempts to interact with the introverted Koyuki Hikawa.
The beloved BL manga Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! finally gets its anime adaptation on April 1st on Crunchyroll. Produced by Drive, the series is a charming story about the timid Nakamura’s secret crush on his classmate Hirose and his awkward, heartfelt plans to get closer to him.
Action, Fantasy, and Culinary Drama
Kana Akatsuki, author of Violet Evergarden, presents Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring, premiering March 28th on Crunchyroll. Produced by WIT Studio, this fantasy series is set in a universe where Agents maintain the seasonal cycle. The story begins as Hinagiku, the missing Spring Agent, returns after a decade to restore the season of flowers.
The darkly comedic action series Marriagetoxin, a manga previously recommended by the creators of Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer, debuts on April 7th on Crunchyroll. Produced by BONES Film, it follows elite poison assassin Hikaru Gero, who enters a marriage of convenience with the swindler Kinosaki to protect his sister from a forced marriage.
For a more refined drama, The Drops of God brings its celebrated wine-focused manga to anime on April 10th on Crunchyroll. Produced by Satelight, the story is a battle of wits and palate between biological son Shizuku and adopted son Issei as they compete to identify legendary wines to inherit a priceless cellar.
Short-Form and Debut Works
Hideaki Sorachi, the mind behind Gintama, sees his first one-shot manga, Dente-de-Leão (Dandelion), adapted into a 7-episode anime premiering April 16th on Netflix. The series follows two angels, Tetsuo Tanba and Misaki Kurogane, on their hilarious and emotional daily tasks of locating souls trapped on Earth to grant them eternal rest.
With a schedule this dense with potential hits, the April 2026 season represents a convergence of legacy and innovation in the anime industry. From the final voyages of long-running stories to the first steps of promising new worlds, these series are set to define the viewing year for fans globally, offering both the comfort of returning favorites and the excitement of discovering the next big phenomenon.
