The anime world is abuzz with excitement as several big tittles continue their stories and new series make their mark. From the latest season of a beloved seriees to a new release that's already making waves, we take a look at the top 7 anime of 2026 so far.

The $30 million toe in the water

A new series, Shonen Master, is officially here, though Netflix's release schedule is understandably raising eyebrows. The first 48-minute episode started streaming on the platform back in March , but the next batch of episodes won't arrive until Fall 2026, so it's hard to rank this higher in the meantime.

Yet it needs to be on the list, even if it's closer to the bottom. In typical style, the series is proving vibrant, stylish, and fun. it overcomes the challenges of adapting the manga's race, putting fans' fears to rest.

Why 4,000 unsold units became the prize

Season 2 of Shonen Legend is a proper replacement for its predecessor, offering further context for backstories and relationships alluded to in its predecessor. Season 2 does an especially impressive job on that front,and it manages to up the stakes and action before its through.

Because of its smaller scope and stakes, it's not quite as exciting as other 2026 shonen releases. Even so, it's a fun enough addition to the lineup to make the top seven.

An echo of Sydney's 2024 institutional buy-up

Another shonen series, Shonen Hero, continues to dominate conversations in anime spaces, and its adventures make for truly engaging and emotional viewing experiences. Its ability to subvert many tropes and still shine also continues to prove impressive.

It's a standout, though shonen fans are likely to find more obvious depictions of the category cooler.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

The unnamed buyer behind Shonen Master is still a mystery, but one thing is certain: the series is already making waves in the anime world.

With stunning animation, thrilling action, and excellent character work, these series are sure to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

The latest season of Shonen Legend has been praised for its stunning animation, thrilling action, and excellence when it comes to character work.

It continues to be one of the coolest anime, both looking at 2026 and on a grander scale . No other 2026 release has challenged it, but it's likely to remain one of the top series until the end of the year.