Spring 2026 Anime Season: The Complete Guide to Every Major Release
Spring 2026 is delivering one of the strongest anime seasons in recent memory — with major returning franchises, highly anticipated adaptations of beloved manga, and a One Piece arc transition that fans have been waiting for since the 2000s. Here's everything currently airing or recently launched, organized for easy reference.
🔥 Week of April 1–12: What's Already Live
Dorohedoro Season 2 — Started April 1
One of the most requested anime sequels in recent memory. The dark fantasy world of Caiman, Nikaido, and En returns for MAPPA's second season. Dorohedoro Season 1 (2020) built an incredibly devoted fanbase around its distinctive aesthetic and gleefully dark humor. Season 2 picks up directly after Season 1's cliffhanger. Streaming on Netflix.
Classroom of the Elite Season 4 — Started April 1
The psychological school strategy series returns. Kiyotaka Ayanokoji continues his calculated navigation of Koudo Ikusei Senior High School. Season 4 adapts later light novel volumes covering the more complex social conflict arcs. Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Beginning After the End Season 2 — Started April 1
Based on the enormously popular webcomic/manhwa, this adaptation picks up after the first season established Arthur Leywin's past life as a powerful king reincarnated in a world of magic. Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Dr. STONE: SCIENCE FUTURE Cour 3 — Started April 2
The third cour of Science Future continues Senku's civilization-building efforts in what has been broadly praised as one of the best seasons of the franchise. Streaming on Crunchyroll/Netflix.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 — Started April 3
Rimuru Tempest's nation-building saga enters its fourth anime season, adapting later volumes of the light novel where the stakes of Tempest's political position become genuinely world-scale. Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Daemons of the Shadow Realm — Started April 4
This is the one that manga fans have been intensely curious about: a new original series from Hiromu Arakawa, creator of Fullmetal Alchemist. Original stories from Arakawa are rare enough to be events. Streaming platform TBD — check Crunchyroll.
One Piece: Elbaf Arc — Started April 5 (Seasonal Format)
One Piece has transitioned to a seasonal format for the Final Saga. The Elbaf Arc — the legendary Giant island, one of the earliest destinations promised to fans — has begun airing on a schedule that allows for significantly higher animation quality than the weekly format. This is the most anticipated One Piece anime content in years. Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Witch Hat Atelier — Started April 6
The adaptation of Kamome Shirahama's visually extraordinary manga. Witch Hat Atelier is about a non-magical girl who discovers magic can be learned — and is drawn into dangerous secrets because of it. The anime will need to capture incredibly intricate artwork; early promotional material suggests it has. Streaming platform TBD.
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 — Started April 8
Subaru's suffering returns for a fourth season. Re:ZERO fans have been waiting years for this — the light novel source material for Season 4 covers arcs that are widely regarded as the series at its highest ambition. Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 5 — Started April 8
Kazuya and Chizuru continue their elaborate pretend-relationship-turned-actual-relationship journey. Season 5 adapts content from later volumes of the manga. Streaming on Crunchyroll.
📅 Coming Later in April
Kill Blue — April 11
A new shonen series adaptation premiering spring 2026.
Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 2 — April 12
The magic school sports-action series returns for its second season.
📅 May Premieres
My Hero Academia Special — May 2
After the main series' conclusion, MHA returns with a special episode (details TBD).
Devil May Cry Season 2 — May 12
Netflix's animated DMC series returns.
📚 Manga Volumes Releasing This Spring
April 2026
| Title | Volume | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dandadan | Vol. 18 | April 7 |
| Blue Exorcist | Vol. 32 | April 7 |
| Kaiju No. 8: Relax | Vol. 2 | April 14 |
May 2026
| Title | Volume | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Box | Vol. 20 | May 5 |
| Boruto: Two Blue Vortex | Vol. 5 | May 5 |
| Kagurabachi | Vol. 7 | May 5 |
| Jujutsu Kaisen | Vol. 30 | May 5 |
| One-Punch Man | Vol. 33 | May 5 |
🎪 Upcoming Fan Events
Universal Fan Fest Nights (Universal Studios Hollywood)
April 23 – May 16, 2026 — Select nights at Universal Studios Hollywood featuring:
- A One Piece live stunt show (the first of its kind)
- A dedicated One Piece fan zone
- Other anime and pop culture activations
This is one of the largest anime-adjacent fan events in North America this spring.
Anime Central (ACen) — May 15–17, 2026
Rosemont, Illinois. One of the largest anime conventions in the Midwest. Guests, screenings, and panels TBA.
Anime North — May 22–24, 2026
Toronto, Canada. Panels, screenings, and cosplay competitions.