The Winter 2026 anime season is almost over, and the numbers are in. Japan’s big streaming service ABEMA released its viewership rankings, and some shows clearly came out on top.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 took the number one spot for total views. The show’s “Culling Game” arc kept fans watching every week. MAPPA’s animation quality reached new levels, with some calling it the studio’s best work yet. Right behind it was Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2, proving that a slower, thoughtful story can still bring in huge numbers.
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Rules the Streaming Charts
ABEMA gathered its data from December 29, 2025 to January 26, 2026. This period covered the first few weeks of the new season, when excitement was at its highest.
The top 5 shows by view count were:
- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Part 1
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
- Oshi no Ko Season 3
- Kunon the Sorcerer Can See
- Noble Reincarnation: Born Blessed, So I’ll Obtain Ultimate Power
Jujutsu Kaisen’s win was no surprise. The series has grown into a global hit, and the new season delivered big fights and major character moments for Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro. The show also brought in new viewers who jumped in after hearing about the “Culling Game” arc.
Frieren held strong at number two. The show about an elf mage learning to understand human emotions continued to pull in audiences who love its quiet, beautiful storytelling.
‘Frieren’ Takes the Crown for Fan Engagement
Views tell only part of the story. ABEMA also tracked which shows got fans talking the most. This ranking looked at the number of comments each show received on the platform.
The top 5 by comments were:
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
- Oshi no Ko Season 3
- ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess Season 2
- Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider
- Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary
Jujutsu Kaisen did not make this list at all. While millions watched it, fewer people felt the need to discuss it online compared to other shows. Frieren, on the other hand, sparked deep conversations about its characters and themes.
Oshi no Ko Season 3 appeared on both lists. The show about the dark side of the entertainment industry kept its hold on viewers with shocking twists and raw emotions.
Critics Pick the Season’s Best Shows
Beyond the streaming numbers, critics and fans on sites like MyAnimeList have their own favorites. A recent ranking named the top 10 anime of Winter 2026.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 took the number one spot. Critics praised the new season for deepening the bond between Frieren, Fern, and Stark. The animation from Madhouse added original scenes and longer fights that made the story even better than the manga.
Journal with Witch came in at number two. This mature story about empathy and social pressure surprised many viewers. The soft animation and quiet tone let the characters’ emotions take center stage.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 placed third on this list. Even with its fast pace and shorter episode count, the show delivered some of the most memorable fights in modern anime.
Hidden Gems of the Season
Not every great show topped the charts. Sentenced to Be a Hero became the sleeper hit of Winter 2026. This dark fantasy follows punished criminals forced to fight on the front lines. Fans loved its political drama and sympathetic characters. The show premiered on January 3, 2026 on Crunchyroll.
You and I Are Polar Opposites also won over rom-com fans. The show avoids typical genre traps by having the main couple confess early. Then it just shows them building a real relationship. Lapin Track animated the series with bright colors and exaggerated expressions that fit the lighthearted tone perfectly. The show started airing on January 11, 2026.
Medalist Season 2 proved its first season was no accident. The figure skating anime returned with beautiful choreography and smooth animation that makes viewers feel like they are watching a real competition. An anime film is already set for a 2027 release in Japan.
New Shows That Made an Impact
Fate/strange Fake brought cinematic battles and unpredictable twists to the season. The chaotic ensemble story follows different servants and masters, making every episode feel like an event. However, the show did not crack ABEMA’s top viewership rankings.
Hell’s Paradise Season 2 kept up the tension as characters teamed up against powerful enemies. The show’s exploration of what makes us human gave fans more to think about between the action scenes. The manga ended back on January 25, 2021, but the anime continues to bring new life to the story.
Fire Force Season 3 Part 2 surprised many viewers who thought the studio could not fit so much manga content into one cour. Fights like Benimaru vs. Hibachi and Arthur vs. Dragon showed the series at its best. The second part premiered on January 9, 2026 on Crunchyroll.
Where to Watch Winter 2026 Anime
Most of these shows are available on Crunchyroll. The platform carries Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren, Fire Force, Hell’s Paradise, Sentenced to Be a Hero, and You and I Are Polar Opposites.
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HIDIVE also picked up Oshi no Ko Season 3 for streaming in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The show premiered on Japanese TV on January 14, 2026.
Japanese viewers can watch most of these shows on ABEMA, which has grown to 30 million weekly active users. The service offers both live TV and on-demand streaming.
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