Japan’s summer 2026 anime lineup has been reshaped by a new fan poll, with Science SARU’s "Ghost in the Shell" edging out the concluding cour of "Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War" for the top spot. The survey, conducted by CM Site Co. ltd. and reported by Ranking!, captured the preferences of 2,452 respondents just weeks before the highly‑anticipated releases.

Ghost in the Shell Leads with 115 Votes, Bleach Trails with 110

According to the poll results, "Ghost in the Shell" secured 115 votes, narrowly surpassing "Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4: The Calamity," which earned 110 votes... The margin, though slim, marks the first time the long‑running supernatural series has been displaced as the most anticipated title for the season.

Bleach’s Final Cour, The Calamity, Set to Air in July 2026

The fourth and final cour of the Bleach sequel, titled "The Calamity," is scheduled for a July 2026 debut. The series, which originally ran from 2004 to 2012, returned in 2022 with the "Thousand-Year Blood War" arc and has been airing in 14‑episode cour blocks, the third of which concluded in December 2024.

Other Contenders: Mushoku Tensei, The Elusive Samurai, and From Old Country Bumpkin

Beyond the top two, the survey also highlighted strong interest in "Mushoku Tensei : Jobless Reincarnation" Season 3, "The Elusive Samurai" Season 2, and "From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman" Season 2 , rounding out the list of fan‑favored titles for the summer season.

What the Vote Gap Reveals About Fan Priorities

The 5‑vote difference suggests a growing appetite for cyber‑punk aesthetics and mature storytelling, traits associated with the original "Ghost in the Shell" manga by Masamune Shirow. While "Bleach" still commands a massive global following ,the poll indicates that Japanese audiences are eager for fresh visual styles and thematic depth.

Who Remains Unaccounted for in the Survey?

The poll sampled 2,452 fans, but it does not disclose demographic breakdowns or streaming platform preferences, leaving open questions about how international viewers might rank the titles. Additionally, the methodology—online self‑selection—could skew results toward more tech‑savvy respondents who favor a series like "Ghost in the Shell."