10 Anime Returns In 2026 Your Therapist Will Be Hearing About
Grab your tissues and clear your schedule because 2026 is about to hit anime fans with a tidal wave of emotions.
From epic battles to heartbreaking farewells, some of the most beloved series are making their grand return after years of waiting.
Whether you’re team action or team feels, these comebacks will have you screaming at your screen, ugly crying into your pillow, and definitely oversharing with anyone who’ll listen, including your therapist.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for entertainment purposes only and uses humorous, exaggerated references to therapy and emotional reactions.
It is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment; if you are struggling with your mental health, please seek support from a qualified professional.
1. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War: The Calamity
After nearly two decades, the Soul Society’s greatest warrior faces his ultimate challenge.
Ichigo Kurosaki isn’t just swinging swords anymore, he’s closing the book on one of anime’s most legendary sagas.
The Thousand-Year Blood War arc has been building tension like a pressure cooker, and 2026 delivers the explosive finale.
Quincies aren’t your average villains.
They’re organized, ruthless, and packing powers that make even captains sweat.
Watching Ichigo navigate betrayals, losses, and impossible odds will remind you why Bleach earned its spot in the Big Three.
Studio Pierrot is pulling out all the stops with animation that makes every sword clash feel like a cinematic masterpiece.
If you thought previous arcs were emotional, buckle up.
Characters you’ve loved for years will face their final moments, and yes, you’ll need those tissues handy.
The soundtrack alone could make a rock cry.
Long-time fans have waited patiently through hiatuses and cliffhangers, and this conclusion promises to honor that loyalty.
Just saying, your therapist might want to binge-watch this one too to understand all your feelings.
2. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game
Remember when you thought Shibuya was intense?
Hold that thought because the Culling Game is about to rewrite your definition of chaos.
This isn’t your typical tournament arc where everyone shakes hands afterward.
Sorcerers are thrown into a battle royale where survival means outsmarting, outfighting, and sometimes outlasting opponents who’d happily erase you from existence.
Yuji and the gang face new characters with abilities so creative they’d make Professor X jealous.
MAPPA continues to bless us with animation smoother than butter on hot toast.
Every curse, every domain expansion, every emotional breakdown is rendered with jaw-dropping detail.
However, what really hits different is how this arc explores themes of sacrifice and morality.
When the rules force good people into terrible choices, who’s really the villain?
Gege Akutami’s storytelling doesn’t pull punches, and neither does this adaptation.
If you’ve been following manga spoilers, you know what’s coming.
If you haven’t, prepare for plot twists that’ll have you pausing mid-episode just to process.
Your group chat will explode every single week.
3. Re:Zero Season 3: Subaru’s Next Nightmare
Subaru Natsuki’s life is basically a horror movie on repeat, except he can’t turn it off or grab popcorn.
Season 3 drags our favorite suffering protagonist deeper into the twisted magic system that’s been toying with him since episode one.
Though previous seasons tested his sanity, this installment explores mysteries that’ll make your brain hurt in the best way possible.
White Fox knows how to balance psychological torment with moments of genuine hope.
Watching Subaru die repeatedly never gets easier, but his determination to protect those he loves hits harder each time.
The world-building expands significantly here.
New characters bring fresh perspectives while old favorites continue developing in surprising directions.
Emilia, Rem, and the rest of the cast aren’t just side characters, they’re pieces of an increasingly complex puzzle.
If you love theories and Reddit deep-dives, this season provides enough material to fuel months of discussion.
The magic system’s rules become clearer yet somehow more confusing, like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded.
Emotional moments will sneak up on you when you least expect them.
One minute you’re analyzing plot mechanics, the next you’re sobbing over a character’s backstory.
4. One Punch Man Season 3: Enter The Monster Association
Saitama’s still bored, but everyone else is about to have the worst day ever.
The Monster Association arc is where One Punch Man shifts gears from comedy to genuinely epic battles that showcase why this series became a phenomenon.
Garou’s transformation from villain to something far more complex gives this season emotional weight that’ll surprise you.
Where Season 1 had Boros and Season 2 introduced tournaments, Season 3 delivers an all-out war.
Heroes face monsters so powerful that even S-Class fighters struggle to survive.
Watching characters like Atomic Samurai, Tatsumaki, and Bang push past their limits provides the action fans have been craving.
J.C. Staff returns with animation that hopefully matches the manga’s incredible artwork.
Murata’s panels are basically frame-worthy art, and translating that to screen is no small feat.
However, when it works, the results are spectacular.
Garou’s philosophy about heroes and monsters raises questions that stick with you long after episodes end.
Is he wrong for wanting to level the playing field?
Are heroes really as noble as they claim?
These themes add depth to what could’ve been just another punch-fest.
5. Noragami Season 3: The God Of Calamity Returns
Did you know Yato used to be way scarier than that lovable goofball we know today?
Season 3 peels back layers of his past that’ll completely change how you see this tracksuit-wearing deity.
After years of fans begging for more content, Bones finally answers prayers with an exploration of what it means to be forgotten.
The world of gods in Noragami operates on belief and memory.
When people stop praying, gods fade into nothingness, which is basically the saddest concept ever.
Yato’s desperate attempts to stay relevant through odd jobs suddenly carry much heavier implications.
His relationship with Yukine and Hiyori becomes even more precious when you understand what’s at stake.
Though the series balances humor and drama beautifully, this season leans into darker territory.
Past sins catch up with characters, and forgiveness doesn’t come easy.
The animation maintains that gorgeous blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern flair.
Fight scenes between gods and phantoms flow like water, each movement purposeful and stunning.
If you’ve been waiting since 2015 for closure, your patience is finally rewarded.
Just prepare for your heart to get squeezed a few times.
6. Solo Leveling Season 2: Monarch Vs Monarch
Sung Jinwoo went from weakest hunter to absolute unit, and Season 2 shows exactly why that title isn’t just for show.
The Shadow Monarch faces threats that make previous enemies look like tutorial bosses.
When god-tier beings start throwing hands, the entire world becomes their battlefield.
A-1 Pictures knocked Season 1 out of the park with animation that made manhwa readers weep with joy.
Season 2 promises even more spectacular visuals as Jinwoo’s powers reach ridiculous levels.
Watching him summon entire shadow armies never gets old, especially when each soldier has their own personality and backstory.
However, power comes with consequences.
The more Jinwoo embraces his role as Monarch, the further he drifts from his humanity.
His relationships with family and fellow hunters become strained under the weight of secrets he can’t share.
New enemies bring fresh challenges that require strategy, not just overwhelming force.
The political intrigue between nations and guilds adds another layer of complexity.
If you loved the power fantasy aspect of Season 1, buckle up.
Season 2 cranks that dial to eleven while somehow maintaining emotional stakes that keep you invested beyond just cool fight scenes.
7. No Game No Life Season 2: The Sibling Gods Return
Sora and Shiro are back to prove that big brains beat brawn every single time.
After one of anime’s most frustrating cliffhangers left fans hanging since 2014, Season 2 finally continues the siblings’ quest to conquer Disboard one game at a time.
Madhouse returns with that signature explosion of colors that makes every frame look like a fever dream in the best possible way.
The world operates entirely on games where cheating is allowed as long as you don’t get caught.
Watching Sora and Shiro outsmart opponents who’ve been playing these games for centuries provides satisfaction that’s hard to describe.
Their unshakable bond as siblings gives the series its emotional core.
Separated, they’re anxious messes.
Together, they’re unstoppable geniuses who can calculate odds faster than supercomputers.
Season 2 introduces new races and gods, each with unique abilities and game preferences.
The challenges become increasingly complex, requiring not just intelligence but understanding of psychology, probability, and pure creativity.
If you appreciate clever writing where every detail matters, this season delivers in spades.
Plus, the humor remains sharp without relying on repetitive jokes.
Your therapist might need to hear about your newfound trust issues after watching these mind games.
8. The Rising Of The Shield Hero Season 4: Trust No One
Naofumi Iwatani learned the hard way that not everyone deserves your trust, and Season 4 reinforces that lesson with brutal efficiency.
After being summoned as a hero only to face immediate betrayal, his journey from bitter loner to reluctant leader continues evolving in fascinating ways.
Kinema Citrus crafts a world where consequences actually matter.
Decisions made seasons ago ripple forward, creating situations that test not just Naofumi’s strength but his moral compass.
When survival means making choices that haunt you later, heroism becomes complicated.
His relationships with Raphtalia, Filo, and other companions provide warmth against the series’ darker themes.
Watching these characters grow from scared victims into confident warriors offers genuine emotional payoff.
However, new threats emerge that make previous waves look manageable.
Season 4 explores betrayal on multiple levels, from personal relationships to political machinations between kingdoms.
The shield, initially seen as the weakest weapon, proves its worth through creative defensive strategies that turn enemies’ strength against them.
If you’re tired of overpowered protagonists who breeze through challenges, Naofumi’s struggles feel refreshingly real.
Victory requires sacrifice, planning, and sometimes accepting help from unexpected sources.
9. Mob Psycho 100: Final Goodbye Special
Grab every tissue box in your house because saying goodbye to Mob and Reigen hits different than other series finales.
This special episode serves as a love letter to fans who’ve followed Shigeo Kageyama’s journey from repressed psychic to emotionally healthy teenager.
Studio Bones delivers one final masterclass in animation that blends wild psychic battles with quiet, introspective moments.
The art style might look simple at first glance, but the fluidity and creativity in action sequences rival anything in anime.
What makes Mob Psycho special isn’t just the incredible powers or hilarious mentor-student dynamic.
It’s the genuine message that kindness matters more than strength, that emotions shouldn’t be bottled up, and that everyone deserves connection.
Reigen, the conman with a heart of gold, gets moments that’ll make you ugly cry into your pillow.
His relationship with Mob transcends typical anime mentor tropes, becoming something beautifully human.
Though the main series concluded perfectly, this special provides additional closure that fans didn’t know they needed.
It revisits characters, ties up loose threads, and reminds us why this series became beloved.
If you’ve ever struggled with self-acceptance or finding your place, Mob’s story resonates on a personal level.
10. Yona Of The Dawn Season 2: The Dragon Princess Rises Again
Princess Yona went from sheltered royalty to warrior queen, and Season 2 continues her absolutely incredible transformation.
After her kingdom was stolen through betrayal, she embarked on a quest to gather legendary dragons and reclaim her birthright.
Studio Pierrot finally gives fans what they’ve desperately wanted since 2015.
The story blends romance, action, and political intrigue in ways that feel organic rather than forced.
Yona’s growth from naive princess to confident leader who can hold her own in battle provides inspiration that transcends typical shojo tropes.
Her relationships with the four dragon warriors add depth beyond simple reverse harem dynamics.
Each dragon carries their own trauma and reasons for following Yona, creating a found family that’ll warm even the coldest hearts.
However, reclaiming a kingdom isn’t just about gathering powerful allies.
Season 2 explores the complicated politics of leadership, the cost of war, and whether revenge truly brings peace.
Watching Yona grapple with these questions while maintaining her compassion makes her one of anime’s most compelling protagonists.
The historical Korean-inspired setting provides gorgeous backdrops for both quiet character moments and epic battles.
If you love strong female leads who earn their victories through growth rather than convenient power-ups, this is your jam.
