The first week of January 2026 ushers in an exciting wave of new anime and manga for North American fans, setting a vibrant tone for the year ahead in the world of Japanese entertainment. From highly anticipated sequels to intriguing new series debuts, the releases between January 4th and 10th promise a rich selection for every enthusiast.
New Anime Premieres & Returning Favorites
Anime enthusiasts have a packed schedule with several high-profile series making their debut or returning with new seasons, showcasing a diverse range of genres from action-packed shonen to charming romantic comedies and supernatural thrillers.
January 4th Anime Releases
- Tamon’s B-Side Season 1 – A new season kicks off the year with a fresh story.
- Jack-of-All-Trades, Party of None Season 1 – This action fantasy anime, based on light novels, follows an enchanter determined to prove his worth after being kicked out of a hero’s party.
- Journal with Witch Season 1.
- MF Ghost Season 3 – Fans of high-octane racing anime can look forward to the continuation of this series.
- Hana-Kimi – A new shojo manga show revolving around a Japanese-American star who disguises herself as a boy to attend an all-boys high school.
January 5th Anime Releases
- My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Season 2 – The spin-off series to the popular superhero franchise continues, following Koichi Haimawari’s journey as a vigilante.
- Golden Kamuy: The Final Chapter (Season 5) – The acclaimed historical adventure series reaches its thrilling conclusion.
January 6th Anime Releases
- There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero’s Party, so I Tried Confessing to Her Season 1 – An isekai romantic comedy that focuses on a protagonist more interested in love than defeating the Demon King.
- Mayonaka Heart Tune Season 1.
January 7th Anime Releases
- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Part 1 – One of the most highly anticipated returns, this season plunges the Jujutsu Tech High School students into the deadly Culling Game.
- Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube Part 2.
- Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table Season 1.
January 8th Anime Releases
- Chained Soldier Season 2 – The action continues in this fantasy series.
- Champignon Witch Season 1.
- The Holy Grail of Eris Season 1.
- The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife.
January 9th Anime Releases
- Fire Force Season 3 Part 2 – The fiery battles of the Special Fire Force resume in this concluding part.
- Dark Moon: The Blood Altar Season 1 – This series introduces a world where vampires and werewolves are drawn to a mysterious new student.
- Hell Mode: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing Season 1 – An isekai series joining the HIDIVE lineup.
January 10th Anime Releases
- Trigun Stargaze Season 1 – A highly anticipated follow-up, this installment promises to bring Vash the Stampede’s story to a definitive close.
- Fate/strange Fake Season 1 – This new entry in the expansive Fate universe details a twisted Holy Grail War in the American city of Snowfield.
- Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling – Joining HIDIVE’s simulcast schedule.
- Scum of the Brave Season 1.
- To Your Eternity Season 3.
- GNOSIA.
- Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider.
Manga and Light Novel Highlights
The world of print also sees a significant influx of new volumes and series, with publishers like Seven Seas, Kodansha USA, Viz Media, Square Enix Manga, Yen Press, and Vertical releasing titles across various genres.
January 6th Manga & Light Novel Releases
Several publishers are releasing a multitude of titles on this day, offering a wide array of genres to explore.
- 365 Days to the Wedding Graphic Novel (GN) 10 (Seven Seas)
- BLUELOCK -Episode Nagi- GN 6 (Kodansha USA)
- Choking on Love GN 4 (Seven Seas)
- Dark Gathering GN 17 (Viz Media)
- The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé GN 4 (Kodansha USA)
- The Demon Prince of Momochi House: Succession GN 2 (Viz Media)
- The Elusive Samurai GN 18 (Viz Media)
- Go For It, Nakamura-kun! GN 2 (new edition) (Seven Seas)
- The God-Slaying Demon King GN 4 (Square Enix Manga)
- Heroine? Saint? No, I’m an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)! GN 5 (Seven Seas)
- Hunter x Hunter GN 38 (Viz Media)
- I’m Running for Crown Princess, but All I Want is a Steady Paycheck! GN 38 (Seven Seas)
- Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary GN 4 (Seven Seas)
- The Kept Man of the Princess Knight GN 3 (Yen Press)
- Lilies Blooming in 100 Days GN (Yen Press)
- Magical Buffs: The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized! GN 5 (Seven Seas)
- Makina-san’s a Love Bot?! GN 2 (Seven Seas)
- Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms GN 14 (Vertical)
- Beatrice Vol. 1
- Choujun! Choujou-senpai (Super Psychic Policeman Chojo) Vol. 1
- Finding Camellia Vol. 6
- I Tamed My Ex-Husband’s Mad Dog Vol. 5
- Kaette Kudasai! Akutsu-san (Please Go Home, Miss Akutsu!) Vol. 10
- Kamigoroshi no Maou, Saijaku Shuzoku ni Tenseishi Shijou Saikyou ni Naru (The God-Slaying Demon King: Reincarnated as a Mere Mortal to Become the Strongest in History!) Vol. 4
- Lost in the Cloud Vol. 2
- Men of the Harem Vol. 5
- My Secretly Hot Husband Vol. 5
January 9th Manga & Light Novel Releases
- Taking My Reincarnation One Step at a Time: No One Told Me There Would Be Monsters! Volume 9 (J-Novel Club, Digital Light Novel)
- I Like Villains, so I Reincarnated as One Vol. 2 (Light Novel) (Seven Seas Entertainment, Digital Light Novel)
- Virgin Knight: I Became the Frontier Lord in a World Ruled by Women Vol. 3 (Light Novel) (Seven Seas Entertainment, Digital Light Novel)
This week offers a strong start to the new year for anime and manga fans, providing both continuation for beloved series and exciting new journeys to embark upon.
